BLOGS Stay Near Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple, Saendha Poomangalam | Nava Kailayam 9th & Final Temple — Sukran (Venus) Sthalam Nava Kailasam Temples May 12, 2026 Sri Kailasanathar Temple The place where the last flower reached came to be known as Sernthapoomangalam which literally translates to “Place where the last flower rested.” This ninth and final temple is dedicated to Venus Sukran and forms the last of the three temples of the Lower Kailayam (Keezh Kailayam). This is the ninth and last of the Nava Kailasam temples located on the banks of the Thamirabarani River, dedicated to Sukran. The temple was consecrated by Sage Romaharshana. The planetary deity Sukran is believed to rule over a person’s life for 20 years and it is believed that during this time, he blesses the person with fame, fortune, and wealth. Sukran worshipped Shiva at this temple, and so Shiva himself imbibes all the qualities of Sukran, in addition to being the Adipathi of all the Navagrahas. Worshipping Lord Shiva here is equivalent to worshipping in Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanoor near Kumbakonam one of the most powerful Sukra Sthalam temples in all of Tamil Nadu. This is no ordinary final stop Saendha Poomangalam is where the sacred Thamirabarani River completes its divine journey and merges with the sea at Punnakayal (Sangumugam) making this the most spiritually complete and poetic conclusion to the entire Nava Kailayam pilgrimage. For pilgrims completing this sacred circuit, Ananta Vihara in Thirukolur is the most peaceful and conveniently located homestay base. The Lord of this temple is Sri Kailasanathar and the Goddess is Sri Soundarya Nayagi. Lord Shiva takes on the features of Venus Sukran here. The temple faces east, with an entrance from the south the east side entrance is kept closed. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the east side entrance. The Moolavar is on a round Avudayar. Dwarapalakas, Vinayagar, and Murugan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. A Rishabam is also in the Ardha Mandapam facing the sanctum sanctorum. This temple has Nava Lingas in place of the Navagraha sannathi a completely unique and rare feature found nowhere else in the entire Nava Kailayam circuit. While other temples have separate Navagraha idol shrines, here the nine planets are represented as nine sacred Shiva Lingams making every prayer here a direct Shiva worship for each planetary deity. Subsidiary Deities Shrines in this temple include Kanni Vinayagar, Chokkanathar, Bhairava, Meenakshi, planets Sun, Moon, and Sani Bhagwan. Lord Muruga is on his peacock vahana. Other shrines include Navagrahas (as Nava Lingams), Saptamatrikas, the Nayanmars, and Kubera on the Ambal Vimana. Why “Saendha Poomangalam”? The name of the village Sernda-poo-mangalam literally means “the place where the flowers were finally collected.” Here the Lord is considered to represent Shukran or Venus. This is the last and ninth flower given by Sage Agasthya that washed up at this sacred bank of the Thamirabarani. The Legend Agasthiyar’s Sacred Mission During the celestial wedding of Shiva and Parvati, all the Devas, Rishis, and Munis assembled at Mount Kailash to witness the marriage. Due to this massive gathering, the earth’s north side went down in level and the south rose up equally. Shiva asked Agasthiyar to go to the South to balance it. On his way to Podhigai, Agasthiyar installed and worshipped Shiva Lingams at many places. It is believed that the Moolavar of this temple was also installed and worshipped by Agasthyar. As per another legend, Agasthiyar’s first disciple Uroma Maharishi and the Kings of the Seas attained Mukti liberation at this very place. This makes Saendha Poomangalam not just the geographical end of the Nava Kailayam circuit but also its spiritual summit the place of ultimate liberation. The Sacred Geography — Where the River Meets the Sea The river Thamirabarani flows at a distance of half a kilometre from the temple at Sernthapoomangalam, and a sacred bathing Ghat is present here. Due to the rapid flow of the water, the river confluences with the sea at Punnakayal which is around four kilometres from here. This place is known as Sangumugam. This Sri Kailasanathar temple is located where the Thamirabarani River confluences with the sea the Palk Strait. It is believed that those who take a dip in the Chandikan Teertham and worship Shiva here will get the Sukra Yoga the most auspicious planetary blessing of Venus. The confluence of the Thamirabarani with the sea at Punnakayal (Sangumugam) is considered a sacred Triveni making a bath here one of the most spiritually powerful acts in the entire Nava Kailayam pilgrimage! Sukran’s Own Penance — The Legend Sukran worshipped Shiva at this temple making this the Sukra Parihara Sthalam where the planet Venus himself sought and received the blessings of Lord Shiva. Since Sukran directly worshipped here, the Lord imbibes all the qualities of Sukran in addition to being the Adipathi the supreme Lord of all nine Navagrahas. This makes Saendha Poomangalam one of the rarest temples in Tamil Nadu where the planetary deity himself is the prime devotee and the Lord has absorbed that planet’s essence into himself! Unique Feature Nava Lingas Instead of Navagraha Idols This temple has Nava Lingas in place of Navagraha sannathi nine Shiva Lingams representing the nine planetary deities. This is a completely unique feature not found in any other Nava Kailayam temple, and symbolizes that at Saendha Poomangalam, all nine planetary forces are unified in Lord Shiva himself making a single visit here equivalent to worshipping all nine Navagrahas. Navagraha Significance Sukran (Venus) Sthalam The planetary deity Sukran is believed to rule over a person’s life for 20 years the longest ruling period of any Navagraha. During this time, he blesses the person with fame, fortune, and wealth. Worshipping here is equivalent to worshipping at the Agneeswarar Temple at Kanjanoor near Kumbakonam one of the most powerful Sukra Sthalam temples in all of Tamil Nadu. This temple is the Parihara Sthalam for doshas related to Sukran Venus and worshipping Lord Kubera here specifically increases family wealth. Devotees pray
Stay Near Sri Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Perumal Temple, Thenthiruperai | Nava Tirupati Shukra (Venus) Sthalam
BLOGS Stay Near Sri Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Perumal Temple, Thenthiruperai | Nava Tirupati — Shukra (Venus) Sthalam Nava Tirupathi Temples April 30, 2026 Sri Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Perumal Temple Sri Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Perumal Temple in Thenthiruperai is one of the Nava Tirupati temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located along the Tiruchendur Tirunelveli route in Thoothukudi district on the banks of the Thamiraparani River. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams extolled in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the Alvar saints. This temple is associated with Parasurama Avatara and the planet Shukra (Venus). The presiding deity here is Lord Vishnu wearing beautiful fish-shaped earrings (Makara Kundala) a rare and deeply meaningful divine form found nowhere else in the Divya Desam circuit. For pilgrims on the full Nava Tirupati Yatra, Ananta Vihara in Thirukolur is the most peaceful and convenient homestay base. The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Perumal, also named Nigaril Mugil Vannan. He gives his seva in Veetrirundha (seated) posture facing East, granting darshan to Shukran, Lord Rudra, and Lord Brahma. The Thayars here are two — Kuzhaikadhu Valli and Thiruperai Nachiyar each with their own separate sannadhis. The sanctum sanctorum houses Lord Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar seated in Veera Asana posture facing East, with his left leg folded, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. The tower above the sanctum is the Bhadra Vimanam, and the sacred water body is Shukra Pushkarani. The pillars in the temple hall sport exquisite sculptures and carvings. The Dwajastambam and Bali Petam are outside the main hall, while the Garuda shrine is to the left of the sanctum. The rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, is flat in structure. The temple follows the Thenkalai tradition of worship. The Meaning Behind the Name Makara in Tamil means fish. The Lord who wore the fish-shaped earrings came to be known as Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar the one who adorns long fish-shaped earrings. And Bhudevi, who offered the earrings, became Sri Perai or Thiruperai Nachiyar. Since then, this sacred place is also known as Thiruperai. The Legend — Bhudevi’s Penance & the Sacred Earrings Lakshmi, feeling that Lord Vishnu spent more time with Bhudevi, expressed her wish to Sage Durvasa to gain the same beauty. When the sage came to meet Bhudevi, she did not receive him with proper respect. The sage cursed Bhudevi, who lost all her charm. Bhudevi undertook severe penance on the banks of the Thamiraparani River to regain her form and the love of the Lord. There she found two beautiful earrings in the shape of fish and offered them respectfully to Vishnu on a Panguni Pournami day the Full Moon in March–April. The Lord, pleased with her penance and offering, accepted the earrings, adorned himself with them, and relieved her of her curse. The Legend of Varuna Relief from Guru’s Curse Varuna, the God of Rains, performed penance on Perumal here to cleanse himself of his disrespectful behaviour against Jupiter (Guru) and performed Tirumanjanam to the Lord. The place then received rains, according to the Sthala Puranas. The Legend of Bhadra The Poet Devotee Bhadra, the son of planet Shukra (Venus), who was cursed by Sage Durvasa, offered his worship by building a Vimanam for the Lord which came to be known as the Bhadra Vimanam. The Lord, pleased with his devotion, appeared before him with his consorts and relieved him of his curse. Unique Feature Navakailasam Connection The same place of Thenthiruperai also hosts one of the Navakailasam Shiva temples Sri Kailasanathar Temple, Thenthiruperai the seventh in the Navakailasam series. This makes Thenthiruperai a doubly sacred destination combining both the Nava Tirupati Vishnu pilgrimage and the Nava Kailayam Shiva pilgrimage in one location! Navagraha Significance Shukra (Venus) Sthalam Each Lord of the nine Nava Tirupati temples represents one of the Navagrahas. Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar denotes Shukra the planet Venus. Praying here is believed to remove afflictions of planet Venus and bestow wealth, comforts, and joy on devotees. Devotees pray here for: Relief from Shukra (Venus) dosha Wealth, prosperity, and financial stability Beauty, charm, and marital happiness Artistic and creative success Removal of ancestral curses Relief from sins and spiritual liberation Special Day: Friday (Velli Kilamai) prayers are especially powerful here. Temple Open Hours: 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Temple Contact: 4639 273 902 Major Festivals Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple. The ten-day annual Vaikuntha Ekadashi during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) and the Nammalvar birth celebrations with Garuda Sevai with all nine Nava Tirupati temples are the most prominent. The Garuda Sevai Utsavam in the month of Vaikasi (May–June) witnesses nine Garudasevai a spectacular event in which festival idols from all nine Nava Tirupati shrines are brought on Garuda vahanas. An idol of Nammalvar is also brought here on a palanquin and his pasurams dedicated to each of the nine temples are recited. Other key festivals: Panguni Pournami — March–April (Special — the day Bhudevi offered the earrings!) Vaikuntha Ekadashi — December–January (10 days) Brahmotsavam — Vaikasi (May–June) Nammalvar Birth Celebrations How to Reach From Distance Route Tirunelveli ~38 km Bus / Taxi Alwarthirunagari ~5 km Auto / Taxi Tiruchendur ~25 km Bus / Taxi Srivaikuntam ~11 km Auto / Taxi Nearest Railway Station: Srivaikuntam (~11 km) | Tirunelveli (~38 km) Nearest Airport: Thoothukudi Airport (~30 km) Bus Route: Regular buses from Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli & Tiruchendur stop at Thenthiruperai Best Time to Visit: October – March | Panguni Pournami (March–April) | Vaikasi Garuda Sevai (May–June) Most Recent Posts All Posts Nava Tirupathi Temples Nearby Attractions Temples Stay Near Sri Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Perumal Temple, Thenthiruperai | Nava Tirupati Shukra (Venus) Sthalam Stay Near Sri Mayakoothar Perumal Temple, Perungulam | Nava Tirupati 7th Temple Shani Sthalam Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Rettai Tirupathi South) | Devapiran Temple, Thirutholaivillimangalam Explore More Category Nava Tirupathi Temples (7) Nearby Attractions (4) Temples (3) Tags Chandran Sthalam Devapiran Temple Homestay in Tirunelveli Homestay Near Kutralam Homestay Near Nava Tirupati Irattai Tirupathi Natham Temple Nava Kailayam Stay Nava Tirupati 2nd Temple
