Nava Tirupati

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Nava Tirupati means “Nine Tirupatis.” It refers to nine Vishnu temples on the Tiruchendur–Tirunelveli route in Tamil Nadu, by the Thamirabarani river. Each temple is a Divya Desam, one of 108 sacred Vishnu temples praised by the Tamil saints known as the Alvars. These temples are part of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a Vaishnava scripture from the 7th to 9th centuries attributed to Nammalvar.

The most important festival here is the Garuda Sevai Utsavam, held in the Vaikasi month (May–June). During these celebrations, nine Garuda Sevai processions take place, and two palanquins carry the saints Nammalvar from Alwarthirunagari and Madurakavi Alvar from Thirukalur. The festival visits Alvarthirunagari for Mangalasasanam (sacred hymns) and to honor Nammalvar in the morning. An idol of Nammalvar is also escorted in a palanquin, while his verses (pasurams) for each of the nine temples are recited. At night, all nine Garuda Sevai processions and the two Alvars’ processions move around the temple complex. Eleven decorated chariots accompany the parade, and the Nammalvar utsavar is taken to each temple as his pasurams are chanted. This event draws thousands of visitors and is the area’s most important festival.