SRI CHITTIRAIRATHA VALLABHA PERUMAL TEMPLE KURUVITHURAI

Guru Bhagwan (Jupiter) and Chakarathalwar (the discus of Lord Vishnu) grace as swayambumurthis. The idols of Perumal with His consorts are made of sandalwood, a salient feature of the temple. Jupiter graces as Yoga Guru.

Sri Chitraradha Perumal Temple, Kuruvithurai – 625 207,

Vadipatti Taluk, Via Cholavandhan, Madurai district.

Phone: +91 94439 61948, 97902 95795

The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Margazhi Vaikunda Ekadasi in December–January and Jupiter transition days also called as Guru Peyarchi are celebrated in the temple.

In a war between the Devas and the demons, a huge number of demons were killed. Their Acharya, Shukra, restored all the demons to life again through the power of Sanjeevini Mantra application. Devas, with a view to learn that Mantra, sent Kasa, son of Jupiter to Shukra to learn the Mantra and return to them. He went to Asuraloka, the land of demons with the blessings of Father Guru.

Devayani, daughter of Shukra, enticed by the handsomeness of Kasa fell in love with him, but it was a one–sided love. Kasa was keen only on his mission. The demons knowing the young man's plans, killed him, reduced him to ashes, dissolved it in water and made Shukra consume it. As Devayani was unable to meet Kasa, she begged her father Shukra to find him. Shukra with his wisdom eye came to know the facts and understood he was in his belly. To please the daughter and to restore Kasa back to life, he taught the Sanjeevini Mantra to him even while he was in his belly. Kasa came out alive tearing his guru's stomach. As Kasa could not bear to see Shukra dead before him, he applied the same Sanjeevini Mantra and gave a new lease of life to the teacher. Shukra asked Kasa to marry his daughter Devayani. Kasa politely explained to Shukra that as he was born from his stomach, Devayani was his sister and therefore the match would be against law. He left to his place with Shukra's permission to his place. But Devayani created seven mountains preventing Kasa's departure.

Jupiter performed penance on Lord Narayana to rescue his son. Lord sent Chakarathalwar and rescued Kasa from the demon world. Lord Narayana gave darshan to Prahaspathi–Guru–Jupiter from His rath of exciting aesthetic beauty on Chithirai star day. Hence, the place is attributed to Chitra star. The Lord's idol is made of Sandalwood with Mothers Sridevi and Bhooma Devi. Guru Bhagwan and Chakrathalwar grace before the temple as swyambumurthis.

The temple observes Guru transition day each year very devotionally when the planet moves to the next zodiac sign. Guru–Jupiter himself had to face a problem and Lord Narayana was the destination for him for a remedy. He performed penance here. He is a swayambumurthy here. Chakkarathalwar (Lord Narayana's discus) also is a swayambumurthy in the temple. The idols of 12 Alwars (sage poets who eulogized Perumal) are in a single form in this temple.