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The
Azhwars went and
far and wide to
locate the Vishnu
temples. These shrines
are collectively
known as 108 Tirupathis.
Nine of these are
of special importance
and they have been
termed as Nava Tirupathis.
The nava Tirupathis
are located in and
around Tirunelveli.
They have been sung
by Namma Azhwar.
It’s believed
that doing a puja
of these gods is
said to ensure the
blessings of gods.
These temples were
constructed in Pandya
and the early Chola
period. It is said
that Alwar Tirunagari
houses the lord
Adinathaswamy or
Lord Vishnu and
is the birth place
of saint Nammalwar
and Manavamuni.
It is a famous pilgrim
centre for vaishnavites
Swami Nammalvar
did penance inside
the trunk of a tamrind
tree (it is still
available). The
Lords of Nava Tirupathi
temples came and
gave darshan to
Nammalvar in his
yogadasa. These
9 holy places are
situated on a circular
route on both sides
of the holy river
TamiraParani. They
are Thiruvaikundam,
Thiruvaragunamangai,
Thirupuliangudi,
Tholaivillimangalam,
(Twin temples) Thirukulandai,
Thiruperain Thirukolurn
Thirukurugoor. The
temples at Tholaivillimangalam
are twin temples
or Iratti Tirupathis
and are counted
as two in the Nava
Tirupathis.
These shrines can
be accessed from
Tirunelveli. Tirunelveli
has a railway station
and is an important
junction. The roads
are also well connected.
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