Soranathan (Maayakoothan) Temple

The temple at Thirukkulanthai, also known as Perungulam, in the Pandya region of the Tamil land, is one of the 108 Divya Desams hallowed by the song of the Alwars, formally the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (also called the Sri Mayakoothar Perumal Temple). The presiding deity is worshipped as Soranathan, also revered under the gracious name Maayakoothan (Mayakoothar), ‘the divine dancer of wondrous play,’ a title that celebrates the Lord as the master of mysterious and marvellous deeds, seated facing east with his consorts, worshipped here as Kulandhaivalli Tayar and Alamelu Mangai Tayar, alongside Sridevi, Bhudevi, Niladevi and Kamaladevi. The temple, built in Dravidian style with a three-tiered gopuram across two prakarams enclosed by granite walls, is counted among the Nava Tirupathi’s Navagraha associations as a Shani (Saturn) sthalam, and worship here follows the Tenkalai tradition and Pancharatra Agama. The place-name Thirukkulanthai is traditionally derived from “kulam” (tank or pond), referring to the sacred reservoir known as Perungulam. Like the neighbouring abodes of this region, Thirukkulanthai belongs to the group of Divya Desams cherished near Thirukkurugur, the birthplace of Nammalwar, and it shares in the saint’s deep and abiding devotion. It is Nammalwar, the foremost of the Alwars and the composer of the Tiruvaymoli, who sang the praise of this place in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, and through his verses Thirukkulanthai is secured among the sacred abodes of that four-thousand-verse corpus; the temple is further referenced in the Brahmanda Purana and the Sanskrit Vaikunta Mahatmeeyam. Tradition holds the name Maayakoothan to express the wonder of the Lord’s hidden play, by which he conceals his infinite majesty within an accessible and beautiful form for the sake of his devotees.

Festivals

At Thirukkulanthai (Perungulam), a shrine of the Nava Tirupati cluster, the temple traditionally joins in the collective Nava Tirupati observances that honour the nine Vishnu temples along the Thamiraparani. The ten-day Vaikuntha Ekadasi during Margazhi (December-January) is the most prominent annual festival. The Garuda Sevai, part of the wider Nammalvar Tiruvadhirai festival in Vaikasi (May-June), brings together nine Garuda processions from all the Nava Tirupati temples, with Nammalvar’s own idol carried on a palanquin through the local paddy fields as his verses for each of the nine temples are recited, drawing thousands of devotees. Pavithrotsavam for ritual sanctification and a Theppotsavam (float festival) upon the temple tank are also traditionally held. The grand Tiruvadhyayana Utsavam, with its Pagal-pathu and Ra-pathu recitations during the Margazhi season, together with Pongal and Tamil New Year, completes the devotional calendar of this Pandya Nadu shrine.

Location & Access

This temple lies at Thirukkulanthai, also called Perungulam, in the Pandya Nadu region near the Thamiraparani river in the Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district of Tamil Nadu, about 5 km from Alwarthirunagari along the Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli route, and belongs to the Nava Tirupati group of shrines. The nearest major towns and transport hubs are Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, which provide road and rail access. The temple observes six daily pujas: Kalasanthi (8 AM), Uchikalam (12 PM), Sayarakshai (6 PM) and Ardha Jamam (8 PM), with additional weekly and monthly rituals. It is administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Devotees commonly include it within a single Nava Tirupati pilgrimage circuit. Verify current darshan timings and travel details with the temple or official sources before visiting.