Stay Near Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Thenthiruperai | Nava Kailayam 7th Temple

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Stay Near Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Thenthiruperai | Nava Kailayam 7th Temple — Budha (Mercury) Sthalam

Nava Kailasam Temples
May 9, 2026

Sri Kailasanathar Temple

Lord Shiva takes the form of Budhan at the seventh Kailasam at Thenthiruperai on the banks of Thamirabarani. One can attain command over speech, intellect, and the ability to make others listen to one’s words with the blessings of the Lord at this temple.

Budhan is the planetary deity associated with the mind and intellect. Budhan is also the planet associated with rains just like Varuna is the god of rains and water. Both Budhan and Varuna worshipped here, and so this place is also called Varuna Kshetram.

The seventh flower of Sage Romasa stopped at Thenthiruperai and the temple here was dedicated to Mercury God. This temple is the first among the three temples of the Lower Kailasam (Keezh Kailayam).

This sacred temple is also doubly blessed the seventh Nava Tirupati temple Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Perumal Temple is also present at this place. Making Thenthiruperai one of only two towns in the entire region where both the Nava Kailayam and Nava Tirupati pilgrimages converge! For pilgrims on the Nava Kailayam Yatra, Ananta Vihara in Thirukolur is the most peaceful and conveniently located homestay base.

This seventh Nava Kailayam temple is also known as Ponnammai Sametha Kailasanathar Temple. Shiva is worshipped here as Kailasanathar. Mother Goddess Shakti is worshipped as Alakiya Ponnammai. Nandi murti is found facing the main Shiva Lingam. The subsidiary deities worshipped here include Navagrahas, Bhairava, Ganesha, and Muruga with his consort Valli.

In this temple, Lord Shiva graces as a Swayambu Murthy a self-manifested Shiva Lingam for devotees and pilgrims. The base of the Lingam is uniquely shaped like a lotus flower a beautiful divine symbol representing purity and spiritual elevation. The Agamam followed here is Kameeyam and the sacred tree is the Vilwa.

In the Navagraha shrine, Guru and Sukran are seen riding horses instead of their usual mounts. Suryan is depicted riding his usual 7 horses but Chandran is uniquely shown with 10 horses. This rare sculptural depiction is found nowhere else in the entire Nava Kailayam circuit.

In this temple, Lord Muruga looks like Sri Shanmuganathar of Thiruchendur with Valli and Devasena. Sri Vallabha Ganapathi, Sri Sakthi Ganapathi, Sri Kannimoola Ganapathi, and Sri Siddhi Vinayaga arrive in isolated sanctums in this temple.

The Meaning Why "Thenthiruperai"?

The word “perai” refers to a fort. There is a place called Tirupperai near Trichy, which used to be a key location during Chola times. This place must have also had a fort at some time in the past — and to differentiate it from the other town of the same name in the north, this place came to be called Then (southern) Tirupperai — Thenthiruperai.

Another legend states that since Goddess Bhoomadevi performed penance here with the Sri Perai form of Lakshmi, it acquired the name Thiruperai. Stone inscriptions on the temple walls dating to the era of Maravarman Sundara Pandian the First also mention this place as “Sundarapandia Chathur Vethi Mangalam.”

The Legend of Varuna & Sukra — The Varuna Kshetram

Since the Lord of rain Varunan and the planet for rain Sukran performed penance here, this place is known as Varuna Kshetram the sacred abode of the Rain God. This makes Thenthiruperai a place of extraordinary power for devotees seeking relief from drought, water-related difficulties, and Varuna’s blessings for agriculture and prosperity.

The Legend of Sage Romaharshana's Idol

A murti of Sage Romaharshana the very sage who consecrated this temple was left here at this temple by an unnamed devotee. Today, devotees are directly allowed to perform puja to this murti by themselves a rare and deeply personal spiritual offering not found in most Tamil Nadu temples.

The Miracle of the Horned Coconut 🥥

During colonial times, a visiting British army officer asked for coconut water to drink. The farmer refused, since the practice was to offer the coconuts only to the temple. The enraged officer thundered and asked if the coconut was so special that it had grown horns. When the frightened locals eventually gave him the coconut, he found that it had indeed sprouted two horn-like extensions bewildering the officer completely!

That particular coconut with horns is kept in the temple even today in front of the Amman sanctum as a living testament to the divine power of Lord Kailasanathar at Thenthiruperai.

The TVS Family Connection

Both the Kailasanathar Shiva Temple and the Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Vishnu Temple at Thenthiruperai are being supported significantly by members of the TVS family one of India’s most prominent business families who hail from nearby Tirukurungudi.

Equivalent of Thiruvenkaadu — A Sacred Comparison

Worshipping the Lord at this temple is as beneficial as praying at Thiruvenkaadu near Seerkazhi one of the most powerful Budha Sthalam temples in Tamil Nadu.

This sacred equivalence means that pilgrims who cannot travel to Seerkazhi in Nagapattinam district can receive the complete blessings of Budha by worshipping here at Thenthiruperai saving time and distance while receiving equal spiritual merit.

Navagraha Significance — Budha (Mercury) Sthalam

According to Hindu beliefs it is said that only the influence of Mercury determines one’s intelligence. Success is determined only by the presence of mind and intellect.

This temple is beneficial for people of the sun signs Gemini (Mithunam) and Virgo (Kanni).

Those who want to get the goodwill of planet Mercury should offer green clothes, green gram, and sugar to planet Budha and worship. People visit the temple and pray here for education, for the fulfillment of wishes, and for prosperity.

Devotees pray here for:

Relief from Budha (Mercury) dosha
Intelligence, speech, and communication skills
Academic excellence and educational success
Business acumen and commercial success
Gemini (Mithunam) & Virgo (Kanni) Rasi blessings
Rainfall and agricultural prosperity
Fulfillment of wishes and desires
Family prosperity through Perumal darshan nearby

Special Days: Wednesday (Budhan Kilamai) and Pradosham prayers are most powerful here. Special Offering: Green clothes, green gram (pachai payaru), and sugar to Budha Bhagavan.

Temple Open Hours: 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Timings may vary — confirm before visiting)

Major Festivals

Maha Shivaratri is the major festival celebrated in this temple with much fanfare. Special pujas and rituals are conducted on Shivaratri day in a grand manner.

Other key festivals:

Maha Shivaratri — February–March (Grand celebration)
Pradosham — twice monthly (Very important)
Wednesday Budha special poojas — year-round
Ashtami Pooja — Full Moon & Half Moon days (Bhairava shrine — for business success)
Tamil Month First Day special poojas — monthly

How to Reach

From	Distance	Route
Tirunelveli	~38–39 km	Bus / Taxi
Thoothukudi	~30 km	Bus / Taxi
Srivaikuntam	~11 km	Bus / Taxi
Tiruchendur	~25 km	Bus/Taxi
Alwarthirunagari	~6 km	Auto / Taxi

Nearest Railway Station: Alwarthirunagari Railway Station (~6 km) Bus Route: All buses from Tirunelveli to Tiruchendur stop at Thenthiruperai | Buses from Thoothukudi via Nazareth also stop here Best Time to Visit: October – March | Wednesday visits | Maha Shivaratri (Feb–March) | Pradosham days

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