Sri Makara Nedunkullhaikkaathar Temple

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Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar Temple is one of the sacred Nava Tirupathi temples a group of nine Vishnu shrines located along the Tiruchendur–Tirunelveli route in Tamil Nadu, on the southern banks of the Thamirabarani River. These nine temples are part of the revered 108 Divya Desams, sanctified by the hymns of the 12 Alvars, the Tamil poet-saints of the Vaishnavite tradition. This particular temple is associated with Shukra (Venus) among the Navagrahas and is known as the Sukra Sthalam, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar, along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. According to legend, Bhudevi, feeling neglected and cursed by Sage Durvasa, performed penance on the banks of the Thamirabarani River to regain her original form and Vishnu’s favor. During her penance, she discovered a pair of fish-shaped earrings (makara kundala) and offered them to Lord Vishnu on Panguni Pournami. Pleased by her devotion, Vishnu accepted the earrings, lifted her curse, and came to be known as Makara Nedunkuzhaikathar, meaning “the one adorned with the fish earrings.” Built in classic Dravidian architecture, the temple features a flat rajagopuram, intricate mandapams with yali pillars, and is surrounded by a granite wall enclosing all shrines. A significant temple tank, the Sukra Pushkarani, lies within the complex. The temple follows the Thenkalai tradition, with six daily pujas and major annual festivals such as Panguni Brahmotsavam, Vaikunta Ekadashi, and the grand Vaikasi Garuda Sevai, where deities from all nine Nava Tirupathi temples are taken out in procession on Garuda vahanas. The temple’s heritage dates back to the Pandya era, with significant renovations during the Vijayanagara period. Ancient inscriptions on the mandapam ceilings record donations made over centuries, and the temple was ritually reconsecrated in 1995.