Nava Tirupati Temples – Divya Desam Circuit on the Thamirabarani River

 

The Nava Tirupati is a sacred group of nine Vishnu temples located between Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, along the Thamirabarani River. Each temple is a Divya Desam, glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham by Nammalvar, and is associated with one of the Navagrahas (nine planets).

Temple List with Planetary Associations

Temple Name	Planet	Sacred Day	Location
Srivaikuntanathan Perumal Temple	Surya	Sunday	Srivaikuntam
Vijayaasana Perumal Temple	Chandra	Monday	Natham
Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple	Angaraka	Tuesday	Thirukolur
ThiruPulingudi Perumal Temple	Budha	Wednesday	Thirupulingudi
Alwarthirunagari Temple	Guru	Thursday	Alwarthirunagari
Makara Nedunkuzhai Kannan Temple	Shukra	Friday	Thenthiruperai
Srinivasa Perumal Temple	Shani	Saturday	Thirukulandhai
Irattai Thiruppathy – Aravindalochanar	Ketu	—	Tholavillimangalam
Irattai Thiruppathy – Devapiran	Rahu	—	Tholavillimangalam

 Garuda Sevai Utsavam – Vaikasi Festival (May–June)

• Held annually in Vaikasi month, this is the grandest festival of Nava Tirupati.
• Nine Garuda Vahanas carry the utsava murtis (festival idols) of each temple to Alwarthirunagari.
• Two palanquins accompany the procession:
• One with Nammalvar from Alwarthirunagari
• One with Madurakavi Alvar from Thirukolur
• Morning: Mangalasasanam (sacred hymn recitation) to each deity by Nammalvar.
• Evening: All 11 chapparams (canopied temple cars) circumambulate the outer courtyard.
• Nammalvar’s idol is taken to each of the 9 temples through paddy fields, and his pasurams are chanted at each shrine.
• The festival draws thousands of devotees, blending bhakti, poetry, and pilgrimage.