Azhaghar Sundarararaja in Sivalapperi

Sage Agathiya blessed Azhaghar Sundarararaja in Sivalapperi, Tirunelveli district, to tamiraparani, a perennial river of life from the Western Ghats. Many towns are enriched by the Tamiraparani River, which receives rain three times a month. Located on the banks of this river, Sivalapperi Alaghar Sundararaja has a special feature.

That is, every year on the last Sunday of the month of Tai, a special pooja is held for Lord Vinayaka in this temple to bring rain. After completing this puja, one should measure the steps to the Alagara here. In front of the Alaghar temple flag tree, Perumal should measure the produce of that year according to his convenience.

It is believed that if they do so, with the grace of Ganesha and the grace of Alagara, Alagara will provide them with the food they need throughout the coming year. There are many people who have felt the beauty of stepping stones.

This also applies to beautiful guardian deities and retinue deities. Every morning a priest would bring the rice required for Alagara's prasadam and the oil required for the sanctum lamp from the nearby temple of Sudalimada Swami under the supervision of Sudalimada Swami. After that, the work of preparing Naivediya for Alaghar and Karuvara Deepam is lit.

Rajaparipalana Utsavam is held for Azhaagar every year in the month of Chitrai. This festival is very special. On that day, Alaghar in royal attire will majestically roam the town and sit in the Kolumandapam. He (Azhagar) used to be the accountant of the temple, he used to read the important information like the accounts of the year, the special events of the month, the people who measured the steps, the rainfall, the yield etc. very dynamically.

Then they will tell Bhagavan (Azhagar) about the needs and shortcomings of that town. Those who helped in the restoration of the temple will be honoured. Also the accounts for that year will be completed.

It is believed that through this festival (Raja Paripalana Festival) Alaghar listens to the grievances of the people and resolves them. So let us rise by following the worship methods laid down by our forefathers! Sivalapperi is a town with a name.

Agathiya Maharishi consecrated the Perumal on Potikai Hill here and also created the Tamira Parani river for the beauty of one arm of Neer Mukandu from the Ganges on Lord Shiva's head. As soon as Perumal comes here Sridevi, Mahalakshmi also comes here. When she saw this area flourishing due to the Tamirapharani flowing in this town, she was very happy and crawled around the town three times and joined him.

Thus this area came to be known as #Sreevalamvanthaperi. Now called #Seevalapperi.
Thanks to the grace of Mahalakshmi, Sivalapperi Pattinam once became a major trading center. Markets and waterborne trade flourished. It was also the capital. This information is revealed through the inscriptions around the sanctum sanctorum of Alaghar temple.

# Note The sad news is that the utsava murthys in this Sivalapperi Azhaghar Sundararaja Perumal Temple, also known as Sri Valamperi, and the three-tiered Valampurichangu seen in the picture have been looted by the Galvars and have not been recovered till date.

It is the complete abha of the devotees that this Azhaghar temple should be rejuvenated and the Maha Sambrokshan should be held in order for the city to prosper and the rain of Perumal's mercy falls on the step by step Perumal.