Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple, Thirukkolur

Sthala Purāṇam

The Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple at Thirukkolur stands on the banks of the Thamiraparani in Thoothukudi district, one of the nine Nava Tirupati Divya Desams. The presiding deity is Vaithamanidhi Perumal, a reclining form of Vishnu facing east, with his consort Kumudavalli (also called Kolurvalli) Thaayar. The temple's sthala puranam centers on Kubera, the lord of wealth: cursed by Shiva for an improper glance, Kubera came to Thirukkolur and performed penance, whereupon Vaithamanidhi Perumal restored his lost riches. From this the place is called Kuberasthalam, and the name Thirukkolur is read as the place (oor) where wealth (thiru) was obtained (kol). The deity is shown watching over the palm of his left hand, said to indicate the location of treasure, reinforcing his identity as the bestower of wealth. Thirukkolur is celebrated as the birthplace of Madhurakavi Alvar, the disciple who discovered and exalted Nammalvar; during the temple's annual festival his image is carried in procession. The village is also remembered for Thirukkolur Ammal, whose dialogue with Bhagavad Ramanuja, the 'Thirukkolur Pennpillai Rahasyam,' recounts how, as she was leaving the village, she listed dozens of acts of supreme devotion from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the lives of the Acharyas, none of which she felt she had performed. Nammalvar sang of this shrine in his Tiruvaymoli, his Mangalasasanam binding it into the Nava Tirupati. In the Navagraha scheme, Thirukkolur is the Angaraka (Mars) sthalam.

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