Description: This is the eighth of the nine Nava Thiruppatis in Thirunelveli district in the belt between Thirunelveli and the coastal shrine of Thiruchendur.

Only NammAzhwar, who resided at Azhwar Thirunagari, has sung of these nine shrines Thiruvaikuntham, Varagunamangai, Pulinkudi, Tolaivillimangalam, Thirukkulandai, Thirukkolur, Thirupperai and Thirukkurugoor collectively referred to as Azhwar NavaThiruppati. Tolaivillimangalam referred to as Irattai Thirupati, counts as two in the scheme of Nava Thirupatis, but as one of the 108 Dhivya Desams.   NammAzhwar has sung of Thirupperai in a decad of 11 verses.

Deities: The Moolavar here is Makara Nedunkuzhaikkadan (Nigaril Mukilvannan) in a seated posture facing East, while Thaayaars here are Kuzhaikkaaduvalli Naachiyaar and Thirupperai Naachiyaar. Also seen in the sanctum are images of Bhrigu muni and Markandeya.

Legend has it that Bhudevi took the form of Thaayaar (Sreebherai) and bathed in the Tamrabarani river on a full moon day in the Tamil month of Pankuni, where she discovered two fish shaped ear rings, which she offered to Perumaal and hence the name Makara Nedunkuzhaikkaadan. Varuna, is believed to have worshipped Perumaal with an abhishekam on the full moon day in the month of Pankuni, to absolve himself of the sin of having insulted his Guru. This shrine is also regarded as a Sukrastalam. The theertham here is called the Sukra Pushkarini.