For a Srivaishnavaite visiting
temples and worshipping Lord Mahavishnu in his various forms and avatars is of
greatest significance. The temples on which our Azhwaars have sung in
Naalayira Divya Prabandham are collectively known as “108 Divyadesams”. 13 of these are known as ‘malainadu or sera nattu
divyadesams. In general, most are under the impression that all these are
in various parts in Kerala. All these are managed by Malayala pothis and the way of worship is far different
than what we do in Chola and Thondainattu thirupathis. Many are known by
their local names than the names associated in Naalayira divya prabandham.
One such divya desam is
“Thiruvanparisaram” – many guidebooks describe the route to this divyadesam
from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. This in fact is
very much in Tamilnadu and lies much closer to Nagercoil. People regularly
visit Kanyakumari for Vivekananda rock and for seeing sun rise and sun
set. You can very easily go to this divyadesam and have darshan of the
Lord. As one travels from Tirunelveli to Kanyakumari – you pass through
“Nankuneri aka Vanamamalai – Thirusirivaramangai” – the headquarters of
Thennacharya sampradhayam, Thirukurungudi and then traverse the western
ghats. One would find hundreds of Windmills (Wind electricity generators
of various makes and sizes) and after Panagudy, Muppandal – you can find Thirupathisaram. This is
around 3 kms closer to Nagercoil and easily accessible. The famous
Sthanumalayan temple of Suseendram is also nearer from here (around 7 km)
Thirupathisaram is Thiruvanparisaram
– the divyadesam. There is a huge tank in front of the temple. The
temple is in Kerala style of architecture. Though it has a big door, a
smaller door only was found open at the time of our visit.
The imposing moolavar in sitting
posture [Veetru irundha thirukkolam] is Thirukuralappan. Lord has Lakshmi
on his chest and hence known as ‘Thiruvaazh Maarbhan”. There is a
sannadhi for Nammazhwaar and a Ramar sannadhi inside which Kulasekara azhwar is
also there.
Nammazhwaar has sung about this Lord
in Thiruvaimozhi {8-3-7 (3475)}. Udaya Nangai, mother of Swami
Nammazhwaar hailed from this place and it is believed that Udaya Nangai
underwent 41 days penance before the Lord here and conceived Nammazhwaar. The
idol of the chief deity is 9 feet tall and made specially of Katusarkara Yogam
(Mustard and Jaggery paste). There will be no thirumanjanam for the
moolavar for this reason. There are paintings on the walls inside.
Early day renovations were believed
to have been carried out by King Kulasekara and Thirumalai Naicker. The
annual Brahmothsavam at this divaydesam (though could be far different than the
ones we have here) started on 10.4.2019 – here are some photos thanks to my
colleague Mr V Thiruvambalam who hails from this place. Special thanks are due to Mr Thiruvazhi Velayutham
Pillai and Mr Sundar.
adiyen dhasan ~ S. Sampathkumar.
11th Apr 2019.
திருக்குளம்
சன்னதி வாசல்
Nice sir
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