Nava Tirupathi

The temples

The temples are revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Nammazhwar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. The temple is also classified as a Navatirupathi, the nine temples revered by Nammazhwar located in the banks of Tamiraparani river. The following is the list of the 9 temples.

Festival

The Garuda Sevai utsavam(the Day 5 festival) in the month of Vaikasi(May-Jun) witnesses 9 Garudasevai plus two palaquins one with Namalvar of Alwarthirunagari and the other with Madurakavi Alwar from Thirukalur. A spectacular event in which festival image idols from the nava tirupathis shrines in the area are brought on Garuda vahana to Alwarthirunagari for Mangalasasanum and to give blessing to Nammalvar in the morning.

An idol of Nammalvar is transported to this location on an Anna Vahanam (palanquin), and his paasurams (verses) specific to each of these nine temples are recited. In the night 9 Garduda servai by Navathirupathi Perumals and the two alwars also on procession in circumbulations. Totally 11 temple chapparams move around the outer piraharams. The utsavar of Nammalvar is taken in a palanquin to each of the 9 temples, through the paddy fields in the area. The paasurams(poems) dedicated to each of the 9 Divyadesams are chanted in the respective shrines. This is the most important of the festivals in this area, and it draws thousands of visitors.