Thirukolur

Thirukolur is traditionally enumerated as number 52 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.

This divya desam lies about two miles to the east of Alwar Thirunagari. This is also situated on the southern banks of Porunai river. This is the birth place of Madurakavi Alwar. The Perumal here is known as Nikshepavithan as also Vaithamaanidhi Perumal. He is seen in a bhujanga sayana pose facing east. Thayar is known as Kolurvalli Nachiyar as also Kumudavalli Nachiyar. The vimanam is known as Srikara

: vimanam. The theertham is Kubera theertham. God appeared to Kubera and Madurakavi Alvar.

To briefly recapitulate the sthala purana of this place-long time ago Kubera, the Lord of wealth lived in Alagapuri. He was a Siva baktha and a close friend of Lord Siva. He had the right to enter into Kailasa at all points of time. On one such occasion when he visited Kailasa Lord Siva and Parvathi were together enjoying each other’s company. Parvathi looked strikingly beautiful. Looking at her Kubera was not able to identify the beautiful Gowri. He wondered as to who she was. Parvathi got angry and cursed that Kubera would loose his beautiful form and become ugly and that all the Nava nidhis (his wealth) would desert him. He would loose one eye. On hearing this Kubera was very sad. He prayed to Lord Siva, explained to him all that happened and asked to be forgiven. Lord Siva advised him to approach Parvathi herself. Meantime because of Parvathi’s curse he lost his Navanidhis. The Navanidhis came to bhooloka, searching for Perumal. They reached the banks of the Porunai river (Tambaraparani river). They reached a place known as Thirukkolur. They had their bath in the holy tank, sought Perumal's protection. Damodara promptly granted them protection. Henceforth the theertham where the Navanidhis had their purificatory bath and offered prayers to Perumal came to be known as Nidhi theertham. The forest Where they stayed offering prayers to Perumal came to be known as Nidhi vanam and as Perumal agreed to keep the Navanidhis with Him and protect them, he came to be known as Vaitha Maanidhi i.e. Protector of Nava nidhis. He is seen resting His head on marakkal (a unit used to measure commodities). It is believed that God is keeping the Navanidhis safe with Him.

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Meantime Kubera prayed to Parvathi. She advised hi, to go to Thirukkolur and offer prayers to Perumal who wa, guarding His navanidhis. Parvathi then related а connectay story. She said that once upon 8 time, a brahmin by nan, Dharmadhattan had eight sons and two daughters. He liveg ed to Bharadwaja muni who wa’