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Srivaikuntam Temple
Vishnu (Vaikuntanatha) · Nava Tirupati · Tamil Nadu
॥ ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥
On the bank of the Tamiraparani in Thoothukudi district, the Srivaikuntam Temple honours Vishnu as Vaikuntanatha, the lord of Vaikuntha, and as Kallapiran, “the beloved thief.” The chief of the nine Nava Tirupati shrines strung along the river, it carries a tender legend of the lord who once stood guard for a thief who worshipped him.
The lord called the thief
The lord here is Kallapiran, the “divine thief.” Tradition tells of a devotee, a robber by trade but pure in heart, for whom the lord himself once took the watch and even the blame, so winning the name. The presiding image of Vaikuntanatha stands in the sanctum as the very lord of the highest heaven come to dwell on the Tamiraparani.
Chief of the Nava Tirupati
Srivaikuntam is the foremost of the Nava Tirupati, the nine Divya Desams set along the Tamiraparani in the Tirunelveli–Thoothukudi country, each linked to a planet of the navagraha and to the saint Nammalvar, who was born nearby. Pilgrims circle the nine shrines as a single sacred round, with Srivaikuntam at their head.
A Pandya temple by the river
Built by the Pandyas and enriched by later kings, the temple has fine carved pillars — among them figures that seem to move as one passes — and a tall gopuram over the riverside town. Vaikunta Ekadashi is the great festival, when the lord of Vaikuntha is worshipped through the gate of heaven on the bank of the sacred Tamiraparani.
How to reach the temple
- By road: Srivaikuntam is about 30 km from Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli, in southern Tamil Nadu.
- By train: Srivaikuntam has its own railway station.
- By air: Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) airport is the nearest, about 35 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the deity at Srivaikuntam?
Vishnu is worshipped as Vaikuntanatha, the lord of the highest heaven, and as Kallapiran, “the beloved thief,” on the bank of the Tamiraparani.
Why is the lord called Kallapiran (the thief)?
By legend the lord himself stood guard — and even took the blame — for a robber who was pure in heart and devoted to him, and so won the affectionate name of the divine thief.
What are the Nava Tirupati?
The Nava Tirupati are nine Divya Desams along the Tamiraparani, each linked to a planet of the navagraha and to the saint Nammalvar; Srivaikuntam is the chief among them.
Is it a Divya Desam?
Yes — Srivaikuntam is a Divya Desam and the foremost of the Nava Tirupati group.
What is the main festival?
Vaikunta Ekadashi is the great festival, when the lord of Vaikuntha is worshipped through the gate of heaven.
How do I reach Srivaikuntam?
It is about 30 km from Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli, with its own railway station; Thoothukudi airport is about 35 km away.
॥ जय श्रीमन्नारायण ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Vishnu as Vaikuntanatha (Kallapiran) |
| Significance | Divya Desam; chief of the Nava Tirupati |
| Legend | The lord who guarded a devoted thief |
| River | Tamiraparani |
| Builders | Pandya and later kings |
| Main Festival | Vaikunta Ekadashi |