Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Mayakoothan), Thirukkulandai

Sthala Purāṇam

The Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Thirukkulandai, in the village of Perungulam in Thoothukudi district, is one of the nine Nava Tirupati Divya Desams along the Thamiraparani river. The presiding deity is Srinivasan, with the festival image (utsavar) celebrated as Mayakoothan, 'the wondrous dancer.' The Thaayars are Alamelu Mangai (Lakshmi) and Kulandavalli, also called Thirukkulandai Nachiyar. The temple's principal legend explains the name Mayakoothan: a devotee's wife, Kumudavalli, a great devotee of Vishnu, was abducted by an asura who used magic (maya) to overpower her. Vishnu intervened, vanquished the demon, and danced upon his head as the Koothan (dancer), thereby restoring Kumudavalli; from this act of triumphant dance the Lord is praised as Mayakoothan. A related account tells of the childless couple Devasaran and Kumudavalli, whose devotion was rewarded with a daughter, Kamaladevi, who herself performed severe penance at this spot seeking the Lord. The place name Thirukkulandai is traced to this child's penance, while 'kulam' also recalls the great temple tank that gives the village its name Perungulam. The vimana over the sanctum is called Ananda Nilayam. Nammalvar sang the praises of this shrine in his Tiruvaymoli, his Mangalasasanam placing it among the Nava Tirupati. In the Navagraha scheme of these nine temples, Thirukkulandai is the Shani (Saturn) sthalam. During the famed Vaikasi Garuda Sevai festival, Nammalvar's pasurams for each of the nine temples are recited.

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