Nava Tirupathi, Aravindalochanar Temple, (Tholaivillimangalam): In This Temple Lord Vishnu Cured A Leper!

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Aravindalochanar temple in Tholaivillimangalam is the fourth of the Nava Tirupathi temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the ninth of the Navagraha temples (nine planets) in Vaishnavism associated with the planet Ketu.

There is no separate shrine for the planet and Lord Vishnu here as Aravindalochanar represents the planet Ketu. It is located 22 km from Tirunelveli in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu on the banks of the Thanmiraparani River.

Aravindalochanar temple, Tholaivillimangalam: Stories, Legends

There are many interesting legends associated with the Aravindalochanar temple, Tholaivillimangalam belonging to the Nava Tirupathi temples. Once a sage named Suprabha in want of a place for penance ploughed at this place where from the earth emerged a balance (tola) and a bow (vil), which when he lifted transformed into a couple. The couple were once cursed by Kubera for insulting him. Since this was the place where the bow and the balance assumed their original form, it came to be called Tholaivillimangalam.

Sage Suprabha continued his worship to Lord Vishnu in this place by offering lotus flowers from the pond nearby. The Lord, who was pleased by the sage's devotion, one day followed him to the pond where he plucked the lotus flowers. After plucking the flowers, the sage turned around to find a stranger following him. The Lord then assumed his original form and appeared to Sage Subprabha. The overwhelmed sage beseeched the Lord to stay in that place and bestow his grace on people in the same form as he appeared to him as Aravindalochanar.

As per another legend, Lord Vishnu, here as Aravindalochanar blessed the Ashwini Kumar brothers with the sacrificial offerings to devas, which they were deprived of. They approached Lord Brahma, who instructed them to worship Lord Aravindalochanar in Tholaivillimangalam. They took a dip in the sacred waters of the temple and offered worship to the Lord here and got their wish fulfilled by the Lord who appeared before them. The sacred waters in which they dipped themselves came to be called Ashwini theertham.

There is also another interesting legend associated with the Aravindalochanar temple, Tholaivillimangalam of the Nava Tirupathi temples. A leper by the name Vibhithagan, who was born thus owing to insulting his Guru in his previous birth was cured by the grace of Lord Aravindalochanar, in Tholaivillimangalam by taking a dip in the Ashwini theertham and worshipping the Lord with lotus flowers.

Aravindalochanar temple, Tholaivillimangalam: History And Significance

The presiding deity of the Aravindalochanar temple, Tholaivillimangalam of the Nava Tirupathi temples is Aravindalochanar. Aravindalochanar idol in the sanctum sanctorum is made of shaligrama stone. The goddess in this temple is called Karuthadangkanni owing to having beautiful dark eyes. The Lord as the festival deity is called Senthamarai Kannan. He showers his grace with Sridevi and Bhudevi on either side. This is one of the Irattai Tirupathi temples (north temple).

Aravindalochanar temple, Tholaivillimangalam, one of the Nava Tirupathi temples, is also one of the 108 Divyadesamas or temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is extolled in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the Tamil canon by the Alwars saints (poet saints) from the 6th to 9th centuries CE. There is also a chapter known as 'Nava Tirupathi Mahatmeeyam' in the Brahmandapurana by Saint Veda Vyasa.

During Garuda Sevai Utsavam, an annual festival in May - June, the nine idols of Nava Tirupathi are brought out. It is a splendid sight to watch amidst thousands of people, who throng to witness this festival.

Aravindalochanar temple, Tholaivillimangalam is open from 8 AM to 1 PM and 2 to 6 PM.