Azhagiya-nambi-perumal

trade_routes:

• "Southern Tamil Nadu temple corridor" connected_events:
  • event: "Alvar hymns and Divya Prabandham composition" significance: "One of the 108 Divya Desams hymned by the 12 Alvars (6th–9th c. CE)" vahana: "Garuda (eagle mount)" connected_events:
  • event: "Temple founding and consecration" significance: "Original temple construction and prana-pratishtha ceremony" associated_kings:
• "Local ruling dynasty" sacred_trees:
• peepal
• bilva (bael)
• tulasi sacred_animals:
• Nandi (sacred bull)
• peacock
• elephant vahana: "Garuda (eagle mount)" festival_dates:
• "Maha Shivaratri (Feb–Mar)"
• "Diwali (Oct–Nov)"

Azhagiya-nambi-perumal

One of the 108 Divya Desams

The 108 Divya Desams are the sacred abodes of Vishnu sung by the 12 Alvar saint-poets. Compiled as the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Nathamuni (9th c. CE), this corpus of 4,000 pasurams defines the sacred geography of Tamil Vaishnavism and the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya.

This Temple

• Location: Thirukkurungudi, Tirunelveli (8.4333°N, 77.55°E) Tamil Nadu
• Presiding deity: Azhagiya-nambi (handsome Lord; 5 forms: Ninra Nambi, Irundha Nambi, Kidantha Nambi, Thiruparkadal Nambi, Malai-mel Nambi)
• Thayar (Goddess): Kurungudi-valli
• Tirtham: Tirtha-malai & Nambi-tirtha
• Vimana: Ghana-ratna-vimana
• Mangalashasanam: Sung by Nammalvar, Tirumangai-alvar, Peri-alvar, Andal — 39 pasurams
• Built: 8th c. CE onwards

Sthala-Puranam

5 separate shrines up the hill each enshrining a different posture of Vishnu. Ramanuja himself performed tapas here 18 years. Tamil Vaishnava boys traditionally do first initiation pilgrimage here.

Worship & Festival

Daily 5-fold puja; Vaikuntha Ekadashi (Margazhi full moon) is the holiest day — the Paramapada-vasal gate is opened; passing through is said to grant moksha. Annual Brahmotsavam (10 days) features Vishnu on all his vahanas (Garuda, Hanumanta, Shesha, Hamsa, Simha, Ratha).

The Alvar Tradition

Each Divya Desam's sanctity rests on how many Alvars sang of it and how many pasurams — this is the mangalashasanam. Tamil Vaishnavism treats the 4,000 pasurams as Dravida Veda — equivalent to the Sanskrit Vedas.

Sthalapurana (Temple Legend)

The sacred history of this shrine is recounted in local Sthalapurana texts and the Divya Prabandham hymns.