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This place is also known as Nanguneri, referring to the four lakes that were surrounding the town (four lakes in Tamil is nangu aeri or Nanguneri). Now, only one lake is there.

While traditionally temples have only one Swayambumurthy, this is one with many  Swayambumurthis – Lord Thothadrinathar in the sanctum sanctorum, Mothers Sridevi and Bhudevi, Sun, Moon, Maharshis Brugu and Markandeya, and dancers of the celestial world Uruvasi and Thilothama.

When Lord Vishnu destroyed the demons, Madhu and Kaidaba, the bad odour from their body spread, polluting the whole earth.  Mother Earth lost Her natural purity. 

 She came to this place for cleansing. The Lord appeared before Bhoomadevi (Earth) and said, “pollution set on you is washed off” according to history of the place-sthala purana.

 This is the only temple where Perumal graces devotees with His royal attire in Durbar with Mothers Sridevi and Bhudevi.  

One of the Lord’s hands point to His feet and the other on His lap as an assurance that the devotee surrendering at His feet will have a place on His lap.  

Perumal also holds the Prayoga Chakra.  Those worshipping the Chakra will have no enemies at all in life.

It is said that the procession vigraham of Mother was originally in Tirupati.  Devotees in Tirupati were to offer Varamangadevi to Sri Venkateswara in Tirupati.  

Perumal appeared in the dream of Jeer Swamigal and told that Varamangadevi was meant to Lord Vanamamalai in Nanguneri, and was therefore taken to this place.  

The headquarters of Vanamamalai Jeer, one among the Ashtathik Gajas – Eight pontiffs of Vaishnava order – by saint Manavala Mamunigal is here. 

The Sadari placed on the devotees, as blessings of the Lord, has the image of Nammazhwar-Sadagopan.

Gingelly (Sesame) oil abishekam is performed to the Lord throughout the year.  This abishekam oil is stored in a well. 

The oil has been hailed by Sage Agastya as ‘Sarva Roha Nivarani’ and is said to have medicinal values helping cure both internal and external illness including ulcers and skin diseases. The oil at this temple is just as special as the ‘laddu’ of Tirupati temple.

Lord Brahma, Indira, king of Sindhu, Garuda Baghwan, Urvasi, and Thilothama were blessed with the darshan of the Lord in the temple.

The story relating to Thothadri finds reference in the Brahmanda Puranam, Skanda Puranam and Narasimha Puranam. It is said that Lord Shiva narrated the story and the significance and greatness of Thothadri and Varamangai to Sage Narada.

Goddess Lakshmi grew up here as Varamangai and later met and married the Lord here. Hence, this place is also referred to as SriVaramangai. 

The two beautiful damsels Urvasi and Thilothama undertook penance at Thothadri seeking liberation from re-birth and with the single minded devotion of serving the Lord. 

Narayana, who appeared before them, expressed surprise at these two beautiful ladies undertaking severe penance at Thothadri instead of enjoying their lives. The two replied that they had now realized that serving Him was the ultimate achievement for anyone. 

As desired by them, the Lord allowed them a place next to Him. Hence, they are seen here at this temple next to the Lord in a gesture of fanning Him (white Chamaras) and keeping Him always cool.

The temple Address : Sri Thothadrinathar Temple, Nanguneri -627 108, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. 

Nanguneri is 30 km from Tirunelveli.

This is one of the eight Swayamvyakta shetrams. The term Swayamvyakta shetram means that the Lord’s idol appeared on His own accord and not man-made! The other seven shetrams are: Srirangam, Naimisaranyam, Tirupati, Pushkar, Saligrama, Srimushnam and Badrinath.

Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries. 

 The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandyas, with later contributions from Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks. The temple covers an area of 5 acres (20,000 m2) and has a nine-tiered temple tower.