Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple, Thenthiruperai

Thenthiruperai, Tamil Nadu

Also Known As:

Navthirupathi Sukkra Sthalam

Nestled in the sacred surroundings of Thenthiruperai, Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple stands as a prominent pilgrimage site that draws worshippers from near and far. This temple is celebrated for its spiritual energy, captivating architecture, and the unwavering faith it inspires in all who visit. Generations of devotees have made their journey here, seeking divine grace and spiritual fulfilment. The temple grounds often come alive during festivals, with vibrant decorations, traditional music, and devotional activities that reflect the region’s rich culture. Even on quiet days, the gentle sounds of temple bells and the sight of flickering lamps create a deeply calming environment. For many, a visit to Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple is not just a religious journey but also a soulful retreat that renews the heart and mind. This cherished shrine stands alongside many Popular temples in Tamil Nadu, celebrated for their devotion and heritage.

Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple History and Significance

The Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple is one of the Nava Tirupathi, nine Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu. It is located in Thenthiruperai along the Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route in Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is on the southern bank of the Thamiraparani river and is 5 km from Alvar Thirunagari. All these nine temples are classified as Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alvars.

The temple is referred to as Sukra sthalam, a location for the planet deity, Sukra. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar and his consort Lakshmi as Tiruperai Nachiyar.

Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Opening Time
Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Pooja Timing
Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Information Facilities and Accommodation
Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Transportation and Accessibility
Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Interesting Facts
Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Nearby Temples
Other Vishnu Temples
Famous Temples from around

Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Opening Time

Day	Timings
Monday	7:00 AM – 12:00 PM 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday	7:00 AM – 12:00 PM 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Wednesday	7:00 AM – 12:00 PM 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Thursday	7:00 AM – 12:00 PM 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Friday	7:00 AM – 12:00 PM 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Saturday	7:00 AM – 12:00 PM 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Sunday	7:00 AM – 12:00 PM 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Pooja Timing

Pooja Name	Timings
Viswaroopa Pooja	07:30 AM to 07:39 AM IST
Kalasandhi pooja	09:30 AM to 10:00 AM IST
Uchikkala Pooja	11:00 AM to 11:30 AM IST
Sayaraksha Pooja (Evening)	06:30 PM to 07:00 PM IST

Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Location Details

Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple is located in Thenthiruperai, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The temple is well connected by road, rail, and air, making it easily accessible for devotees and tourists. Below are the location details.

Address

Thenthiruperai-Authoor Road, 628623

04639272233

How to Reach Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple

By Road:

Thenthiruperai is well-connected by road to major towns in Tamil Nadu. State Transport Buses and private taxis operate regularly from cities like Tirunelveli and Tuticorin.

By Train:

Nearest railway stations: Tirunelveli Junction (around 30 km away) and Tuticorin Railway Station (approximately 40 km away). From these stations, buses or taxis are available to Thenthiruperai.

By Air:

Nearest airport: Tuticorin Airport (approximately 40 km away). From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Thenthiruperai via connecting cities.

Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Nearby Temples

Best time to visit (season/months):

The best time to visit the temple is between October and March when the weather is pleasant and suitable for travel. Avoid the monsoon season (June to September) due to heavy rainfall that may disrupt travel plans.

Other Vishnu Temples

Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple Information Facilities and Accommodation

Temple Speciality

Purathanam:

Sri Magaranedunkuzhalai kadhar temple is 53rd divyadesam among the 108 vaishna divyadesams and 7th amoung the Nava Thirupathi temples.Nava Tirupathi is a set of 9 temples of Lord Vishnu located around the banks of the River Thamirabarani,Nava Tirupathi is part of the 108 Divya Desam temples revered by the Alvars, the 12 tamil poet saints who lived 2500 years ago.

Subshrines Details

The Donor may participate in this scheme by investing Rs.15000/- and from the interest of this investment every year Annathanam is given to 50 persons on any one day the donor decides, or the donor may participate in this scheme by giving Rs.1500/- for a particular day for Annathanam to 50 persons. Now the annathanam is being hygienically prepared and the annathanam is served to devotees using tables and chairs.

Temple Services

Public can park there vehicle in the front side of the temple.

Bath Room facilities arranged to worshiping public.

Toilet facilities arranged to worshiping public.

Legends Beliefs

As per the temple's regional legend, once Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, was left alone as he went to earth and lived with Bhudevi. Lakshmi prayed to sage Durvasa to give her the beauty of Bhudevi. The sage went to meet Bhudevi, who was with Vishnu. She pretended not to have seen the sage. In his fury, the sage cursed Bhudevi to transfer her form to Lakshmi. Bhudevi pleaded with the sage to propitiate her off the curse. The sage asked her to pray to Vishnu on the banks of river Tamiraparani. On a new moon day, when she was performing the prayer in the river, she found a pair of earrings in the form of a fish. She offered it to Vishnu, who appeared before her. When Vishnu accepted the ear ring, Bhudevi got her original form. Since Bhudevi offered her the makara kundala, the earrings, the presiding deity came to be known as Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar, the one who attained the ear rings.
Deities and Sub Deities

The main deity of the temple is Vishnu, worshipped as Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar. His consort Lakshmi is worshipped as Tiruperai Nachiyar. The presiding deity is sported in a standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either of his sides. The images of Bhoodevi and Sridevi along with the festival images are located inside the sanctum.
Offerings

The temple follows the traditions of the Tenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows Pancharathra aagama. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar and Thiruperai Nachiyar. During the last step of worship, nadasvaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.
Architecture

The temple is located in Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route, Tamil Nadu, India in the banks of Thamiraparani river, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is constructed in Dravidian style of architecture. All the shrines of the temple are located in a rectangular granite walls, pierced by a three-tiered gopuram. The presiding deity is sported in a standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either of his sides. The images of Bhoodevi and Sridevi along with the festival images are located inside the sanctum. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Festivals

The Garuda Sevai utsavam (festival) in the month of Vaikasi (May-Jun) witnesses 9 Garudasevai, a spectacular event in which festival image idols from the Nava Tirupathis shrines in the area are brought on Garuda vahana (sacred vehicle). An idol of Nammalvar is also brought here on a Anna Vahanam (palanquin) and his paasurams (verses) dedicated to each of these 9 temples are recited. The utsavar (festival deity) of Nammalvar is taken in a palanquin to each of the 9 temples, through the paddy fields in the area. The pasurams (poems) dedicated to each of the 9 Divya Desams are chanted in the respective shrines. This is the most important of the festivals in this area, and it draws thousands of visitors.
Religious Practices

The temple follows the traditions of the Tenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows Pancharathra aagama. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnava community, from the Brahmin class. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., and Ardha Jamam at 8:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar and Thiruperai Nachiyar. During the last step of worship, nadasvaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.

FAQ's

Where is the Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple located?

The Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple is located in Thenthiruperai, Tamil Nadu, India. Specifically, it is situated in the Tuticorin district.

Which God is Makara Nedunkuzhai Kadhar?

Makara Nedunkuzhai Kadhar is a major Hindu deity.

What is the best time to visit Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple?

Why is Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple famous among tourists and devotees?

How to reach Makara Nedunkuḻaikathar Temple from near City or Town?

Nearest railway stations: Tirunelveli Junction (around 30 km away) and Tuticorin Railway Station (approximately 40 km away). From these stations, buses or taxis are available to Thenthiruperai. Nearest airport: Tuticorin Airport (approximately 40 km away). From the airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Thenthiruperai via connecting cities.