Kaisina Vendhan (Bhoomipalar) Perumal Temple, Thirupuliyangudi
Vishnu as Bhoomipalar (reclining), festival image Kaisina Vendhan temple · Thirupuliyangudi (near Srivaikuntam), Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India
The Kaisina Vendhan or Bhoomipalar Perumal Temple stands at Thirupuliyangudi (also spelt Tirupulingudi or Tiruppuliangudi), a village near Srivaikuntam in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, close to the Thamirabarani river. Vishnu is worshipped here in a reclining form as Bhoomipalar, 'protector of the earth', while the festival image is known as Kaisina Vendhan.
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and one of the Nava Tirupati, a group of nine Vishnu temples along the Thamirabarani that were praised by the poet-saint Nammalvar. Wikipedia records that it is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Kaisina Vendhan (Bhoomipalar) Perumal Temple, Thirupuliyangudi
In the Nava Tirupati tradition each of the nine temples is linked with one of the nine planetary deities. Dinamalar and Wikipedia associate Thirupuliyangudi with Budha (Mercury) and list it fourth in the circuit. As the deity in each temple is Vishnu, Dinamalar notes that there are no separate Navagraha shrines; devotees simply visit the temple associated with a particular planet.
Nammalvar's Tiruvaymoli contains verses on this shrine. A 2002 article in The Hindu notes that he dedicates eleven verses calling on the reclining Lord of Pulingudi to rise and bless his devotees, and that in one verse he names three neighbouring forms together: reclining at Pulingudi, seated at Varagunamangai and standing at Srivaikuntam. Wikipedia adds that the temple is glorified in the Navathirupathi Mahatmyam, a chapter attributed to the Brahmanda Purana, and in the 18th–19th century 108 Tirupati Antati.
Several legends are attached to the temple. In the account given by Wikipedia, Bhudevi, the earth goddess, withdrew to the netherworld because Vishnu spent his time on earth only with Sridevi; life on earth began to wither until Vishnu went to bring her back, earning the name Bhoomipalar. Dinamalar adds that Indra is believed to have been freed here from the sin of brahmahatya, and that a man named Yagna Sharma, cursed by the sons of Sage Vasishta to become a demon, was released from the curse at this place.
Heritage
History of Kaisina Vendhan (Bhoomipalar) Perumal Temple, Thirupuliyangudi
Firm dates for the temple's construction are not given in the sources consulted. Dinamalar estimates its age at 1,000 to 2,000 years, and its mention in Nammalvar's hymns, which Wikipedia places in the early medieval period (roughly the 6th–9th centuries CE), shows that a shrine stood here by the time of the Alvars.
In the early 2000s the Nava Tirupati temples underwent a major restoration. The Hindu reported in 2002 that the project was carried out by the Indian Culture and Heritage Trust, substantially funded by the TVS group, and that darshan timings had since been organised and displayed at all nine temples. The temple follows the Tenkalai tradition of worship, according to Wikipedia.
Architecture and sacred features
Wikipedia describes the temple as built in the Dravidian style, with its shrines enclosed in a rectangular granite wall, two prakarams (enclosed courtyards) and a flat rajagopuram. The presiding image of Bhoomipalar reclines facing east on the serpent Adisesha; Dinamalar says the Lord rests his head on a marakkal, a grain measure, and a lotus stalk rising from his navel carries Brahma, depicted on the wall. The images of Sridevi and Bhudevi, along with the festival images, are inside the sanctum.
A distinctive feature is a window in the outer corridor through which the Lord's feet can be seen, mentioned by both Wikipedia and Dinamalar. The Hindu's writer described the image as rivalling Thirukkolur in size and beauty, with a carved garland falling from the torso onto the coils of the serpent, and light entering through the small window beside the feet.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Thirupuliyangudi is a village temple with morning and afternoon darshan hours that differ between published sources. Dress modestly, follow the priests' instructions, and ask before photographing inside. If you plan to cover all nine Nava Tirupati temples in a day, start early and check each temple's hours locally. Confirm current timings with the temple office or the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (per Wikipedia) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Kaisina Vendhan (Bhoomipalar) Perumal Temple, Thirupuliyangudi
Nava Tirupati Garuda Sevai
The festival images of all nine Nava Tirupati temples are brought on Garuda mounts to Alwarthirunagari, where Nammalvar's verses for each temple are recited; Wikipedia describes it as the most important festival of the area.
Vaikunta Ekadasi
A ten-day festival at the temple, named by Wikipedia and Dinamalar.
Location
How to Reach Kaisina Vendhan (Bhoomipalar) Perumal Temple, Thirupuliyangudi
Thirupuliyangudi lies near Srivaikuntam on the Tirunelveli–Tiruchendur side of the Thamirabarani. The Hindu (2002) gave it as about 2 km from Srivaikuntam and 1 km from Natham (Varagunamangai), with Srivaikuntam about 25 km from Tirunelveli; Dinamalar gives about 32 km from Tirunelveli. The Hindu advised staying in Tirunelveli and hiring a taxi from Srivaikuntam or Alwarthirunagari, as buses to the smaller Nava Tirupati villages are infrequent.
Dinamalar names Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur as the nearest railway stations and Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai as the nearest airports. Many pilgrims visit the nine Nava Tirupati temples in a single day, which The Hindu described as feasible.
Location: Thirupuliyangudi (near Srivaikuntam), Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Thiruvananthapuram or Madurai (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Tirunelveli or Tiruchendur (per Dinamalar)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Vishnu as Bhoomipalar (reclining), festival image Kaisina Vendhan temples · Temples in Srivaikuntam Taluk · Temples in Thoothukudi District
Questions
Kaisina Vendhan (Bhoomipalar) Perumal Temple, Thirupuliyangudi: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the deity at Thirupuliyangudi?
Vishnu, worshipped in a reclining form as Bhoomipalar, 'protector of the earth'. The festival image is called Kaisina Vendhan.
Which planet is Thirupuliyangudi associated with?
In the Nava Tirupati tradition, Dinamalar and Wikipedia associate this temple with Budha (Mercury).
Is Thirupuliyangudi a Divya Desam?
Yes. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and one of the nine Nava Tirupati temples sung by Nammalvar.
Why is the Lord called Bhoomipalar?
According to the temple legend, Vishnu brought Bhudevi back from the netherworld after she withdrew in anger, restoring life on earth; he was therefore called Bhoomipalar, the protector of the earth.
Can you see the Lord's feet through a window here?
Yes. Wikipedia and Dinamalar mention a window in the outer corridor through which the feet of the reclining Lord can be seen.
How far is Thirupuliyangudi from Srivaikuntam?
The Hindu (2002) gave about 2 km from Srivaikuntam and 1 km from Varagunamangai (Natham).
Sources and attribution
- Wikipedia — Thirupuliyangudi Perumal Temple
- Dinamalar — Sri Bhoomipalar Temple, Tiruppuliangudi
- The Hindu — Amazing posture at Srivaikuntam (Pradeep Chakravarthy, 15 November 2002; archived)
- The Hindu — Shrines that Nammazhwar glorified (Pradeep Chakravarthy, 25 October 2002; archived)
Further reading: Kaisina Vendhan (Bhoomipalar) Perumal Temple, Thirupuliyangudi on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Write to info@hindutone.com — see our editorial policy.
