Vijayasana Perumal Temple, Varagunamangai (Natham)

Vishnu as Vijayasana Perumal (seated), with consort Varagunavalli temple · Natham (Varagunamangai), near Srivaikuntam, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India

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The Vijayasana Perumal Temple stands at Varagunamangai, a village popularly called Natham, near Srivaikuntam in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu, beside the Thamirabarani river. Vishnu is worshipped here seated, as Vijayasana Perumal, with his consort Varagunavalli.

The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and the second of the Nava Tirupati, nine Vishnu shrines along the Thamirabarani praised by the poet-saint Nammalvar. Within that group it is linked with Chandra, the moon. Wikipedia records that it is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

By the HinduTone Editorial Team · Last reviewed 1 November 2026. Editorial policy & corrections

Faith & Tradition

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Religious Significance of Vijayasana Perumal Temple, Varagunamangai (Natham)

In the Nava Tirupati tradition each temple is associated with one of the nine planetary deities. Dinamalar and Wikipedia associate Varagunamangai with Chandra (the Moon), and The Hindu (2002) also describes Natham as the kshetram of Chandran. Dinamalar explains that, because the deity in all nine temples is Vishnu himself, there are no separate Navagraha shrines; devotees visit the temple linked to the planet concerned.

Nammalvar refers to the temple in his Tiruvaymoli. The Hindu quotes a verse that names three neighbouring forms of the Lord together: reclining at Pulingudi, seated at Varagunamangai and standing at Srivaikuntam. Wikipedia also cites the Navathirupathi Mahatmyam, a chapter attributed to the Brahmanda Purana, and the 108 Tirupati Antati of the 18th–19th centuries, and states that among the nine temples it ranks next in importance to Alwarthirunagari.

Two legends are attached to the shrine. Wikipedia records that Vishnu appeared here in answer to the long penance of the sage Romesa (Romasa), and that a sage named Vedavit, after caring for his elderly parents, did penance here on Vishnu's advice and asked the Lord to remain as Vijayasana. Dinamalar says the Lord appeared at Varagunamangai to a Vedic scholar who prayed to see him in this form, and also gave darshan to Agni, the sage Romasa and Satyavan.

Heritage

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History of Vijayasana Perumal Temple, Varagunamangai (Natham)

The sources consulted do not give a construction date. Dinamalar estimates the temple's age at 1,000 to 2,000 years, and Nammalvar's reference shows that a shrine stood here in the time of the Alvars. Wikipedia notes the suggestion that the name Varagunamangai comes from the Pandya king Varaguna, but says this is uncertain.

Like the other Nava Tirupati temples, the shrine was part of a large restoration effort in the early 2000s. The Hindu reported in 2002 that the Indian Culture and Heritage Trust, substantially funded by the TVS group, had restored the group and that darshan timings were now displayed at all nine temples. The temple follows the Tenkalai tradition and the Pancharatra Agama, according to Wikipedia.

Architecture and sacred features

Wikipedia describes a Dravidian-style temple whose shrines are enclosed in a rectangular granite wall entered through a five-tiered gopuram, with a sixteen-pillared granite hall in front of the gateway. The sanctum holds the image of Vijayasana Perumal in a seated posture, flanked by his two consorts, along with the festival images of Vijayasana and Varagunavalli. Dinamalar names the sanctum tower the Vijayakoti vimana and lists the Agni Theertham and Deva Pushkarini as the temple's sacred waters.

The Hindu's 2002 account describes the Lord seated majestically on a throne, true to the name Vijayasana, with his consorts beside him.

Plan Your Visit

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Darshan and Visitor Information

Varagunamangai is a small village temple with morning and evening darshan and a midday closure. Dress modestly, follow the priests' instructions and ask before taking photographs inside. Pilgrims covering all nine Nava Tirupati temples in one day should start early, as the temples keep different hours. 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

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Festivals at Vijayasana Perumal Temple, Varagunamangai (Natham)

Vaikasi (May–June)

Nava Tirupati Garuda Sevai

Festival images from all nine Nava Tirupati temples are brought on Garuda mounts to Alwarthirunagari, and Nammalvar's verses on each temple are recited; Wikipedia calls it the most important festival of the area.

Margazhi (December–January)

Vaikunta Ekadasi

Described by Wikipedia as a ten-day festival and by Dinamalar as celebrated grandly at this temple.

Location

How to Reach Vijayasana Perumal Temple, Varagunamangai (Natham)

Natham lies on the Thamirabarani close to Srivaikuntam. Dinamalar gives it as about 3 km east of Srivaikuntam and about 29 km from Tirunelveli, while The Hindu (2002) gave 2.5 km from Srivaikuntam and about 1 km from neighbouring Thirupuliyangudi. The Hindu advised basing the trip in Tirunelveli and hiring a taxi from Srivaikuntam, since bus services to the smaller villages are infrequent.

Dinamalar names Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur as the nearest railway stations and Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai as the nearest airports.

Location: Natham (Varagunamangai), 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 Vijayasana Perumal (seated), with consort Varagunavalli temples · Temples in Srivaikundam · Temples in Srivaikuntam Taluk · Temples in Thoothukudi District

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Questions

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