Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple, Thirukkolur

The Vaithamanidhi Perumal Temple stands in Thirukkolur village, 4 km from Alwarthirunagari in Thoothukudi district, by the Thamiraparani river. It is the eighth of the nine Nava Tirupathi temples sung by Nammalvar, associated with Mars, and also known as Kuberasthalam. Legend says Kubera, god of wealth, lost his riches after a curse from Shiva and regained them through penance here. Rani Mangammal is believed to have refurbished the original structure.

Vishnu lies facing east with a marakka, a grain measure, as his pillow, gazing at his left palm as if watching over treasure; devotees believe prayers here bring wealth. A lotus rising from his navel carries Brahma, and his feet can be seen through a passage. The shrines sit within two enclosures behind a three-tiered gopuram. The ten-day Avani festival ends with a chariot procession, and during the Vaikasi Garudasevai the deity travels to Alwarthirunagari with the other Nava Tirupathi images.