Thirukurugur

Thirukurugur is traditionally enumerated as number 56 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.

Alvar Thirunagari is one of a cluster of Nine Vaishnayite divya desams known as Nava Tirupathis. Originally, this place was known as Thiru Nagari as also Kurugoor. Subsequently, the place became more famous as Nammalwar the vaishnavite savant attained salvation in this place. The place itself thus got the name Alvar Thirunagari.

Five miles in and around Kurugoor is popularly known as Thiruvazhudhivala Nadu. The forefathers of Nammalwar were the chieftains of this place and ruled over this area. In this area, there are six big towns with nine vaishnavite temples. The nine vaishnavite temples are known as Nava Tirupathis.

Kaisina Vendar koil at Thirupulingudi

Kallapiran koil at Sri Vaikuntam

Mayakoothan koil at Perungulam also known as Kulandai Makara Nedunkuzhai Kathan koil at Thirupperai Devapiran koil at Tholaivilli Mangalam ` Aravindalochana koil at Tholaivilli mangalam

Vaitha Maanidhi Perumal koil at Thirukkolur.

. As these Nava Tirupathis form 50% of the vaishnavite divya desams in Pandya Nadu, it is appropriate that before giving the details relating to each of these divya desams certain general information pertaining to these nine divya desams are first related. It may be recalled that while dealing with the divya desams in Chola Nadu, there were eleven Tirupathis oF divya desams which are always referred to as one unit viz The Thirunangoor Divya desams. The details of the Elevan Garuda Sevai festival celebrated in common for those eleven Tirupa is was given. It was stated there that the prepedent for that Eleven.. Garuda Sevai was the Garuda Sevai festival celebrated in Alvar Thirunagari associating the Perumals of all the Nava Tirupathis.

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The original model was therefore the Nava Tirupathi Garuda - gevai at Alvar Thirunagari. Let us therefore first mention the ' broad details of this unique Garuda Seva.