The
Visit to this Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple at Thirukannamangai, near
Thiruvarur was a part of the “Visit to Shiva, Murugan, Divya Desams,
Buddha, and Jain Temples around Nagapattinam” on 4th September 2024.
This
temple is one of the Pancha Krishna Kshetram ( Kabisthalam, Thirukovilur,
Thirukannapuram, Thirukannamangai, and Thirukannagudi ) since the marriage of
Mahavishnu with Maha Lakshmi was conducted at this place. This temple is also
one of the 108 Diva Desam and Mangalasasanam was done by Sri Thirumangai Alwar.
பண்ணினைப் பண்ணில் நின்றதோர் பான்மையைப்
பாலுள் நெய்யினை மாலுருவாய் நின்ற
விண்ணினை விளங்கும் சுடர்ச் சோதியை
வேள்வி யைவிளக் கினொளி தன்னை
மண்ணினை மலையை யலை நீரினை
மாலை மாமதியை மறையோர் தங்கள்
கண்ணினைக் கண்களாரளவும் நின்று
கண்ண மங்கையுள் கண்டு கொண்டேன்.
….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார், பெரிய திருமொழி
7-10-9 (1646)
Moolavar : Sri Perumpurakadal
Utsavar : Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal, Bhatharavi
Perumal
Thayar : Sri Kannamangai Nayagi
Utsavar : Sri Abhishekavalli
Some
of the salient features of this temple are…..
The
temple faces east with a big tank and an Anjaneyar is on the banks of the tank
and facing the temple. A mandapam with a mottai gopuram base is in front of the
3-tier Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu and Thayar’s marriage.
Dwajasthambam and balipeedam are immediately after the front entrance and
before Rajagopuram. Garudan’s sannidhi is after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas
are at the entrance of sanctum Sanctorum.
Moolavar is about 8 feet tall with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Utsavars are in
front of Moolavar. Maha Vishnus Various forms are on the Deva koshtam. Some of
them are, Narasimhar, Lakshmi Narayanar, Garuda carrying Maha Vishnu, Maha
Vishnu sitting under Adiseshan’s hood, etc.
In
praharam Thayar Kannamangai Nayagi, Garuda’s sannidhi, Andal’s sannidhi, Paramapada
vassal with a 3 tier, Rajagopuram ( Perumal’s pada is on the right side wall ),
Nigamarntha Maha Desikan’s sannidhi, Krishnar sannidhi, Kothandaramar Sannidhi,
Alwar’s sannidhi, Viswaksena with two hands, and Manavala Mamunigal’s sannidhi.
Andal is in a separate sannidhi on the left side of the Moolavar.
Thani
Koil Nachiyar Sri Kannamangai Nayagi / Abisheka Valli is in a separate Temple
facing East, on the right side of Moolavar. Thayar is in standing posture with
abhaya varada hastam. The front mandapam pillars have stucco images of Ashta Lakshmi.
Sri Kannamangai Nayagi Temple
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and maha
mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on an Upanam, adhistanam with Padma jagathy,
vrudha kumudam, and kapotam with Nasi Kudus. The Bhitti starts with Vedikai.
The Pilasters are Vishnukantha pilasters with square bases, kalasam, kudam,
lotus petals mandi, palakai, and vettu pothiyal. Miniature bas reliefs are in
the kandapatham.
Temple layout
The
prastaram consists of valapi, and kapotam. The Superstructure Vimanam above the
prastaram was built with bricks. The Vimanam is of three-tier, which includes
Adi Tala. Maha Vishnu’s various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams. The Sigaram
is of Dravida style. The Vimanam is called Utpala Vimanam.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
This
temple was praised in Padma Puranam Kandam 5, chapters 81 – 87. Since the 6th to 9th
Century Alwars has sung Divya Prabandham on the Presiding Deity, the temple
existed before that and was re-constructed as a stone temple during the Chozha
period and further extended during Madurai Nayakas / Marathas. As per the
inscription, the main deity was also called Pattarāvi Perumal ( Utsavar is called by this name ).
As
per the Copperplate available with the temple Executive Trustee, dated 1638 CE,
Saka 1560, Kaliyuga 4709, a gift of 60 Veli land was given to this temple for
offerings and worship by the descendent of Thirumalai Nayaka, Achutha Vijaya
Raghunatha Nayaka.
The Tamil
inscription of the door jamb of the main Rajagopuram ( Bahudhanya Vaikasi 22 ),
records the abolition of all taxes and dues on the land belonging to the temple
of Pattarāvi Perumal at Tirukkannamangai According to an order of
Pallikondaperumāl Piravadevarāya Malavarāyar.
Tribhuvana
Chakravarthikal Kulothunga Chozhadeva’s 25th reign year, a fragmentary,
inscription, on two slab stones of the same Rajagopura mentions
Geyamanikka-valanādu and Tiruvärûr-kürram.
The saka
1484 ( 1562 CE ), Dundubhi Mithuna, 14 Saturday year inscriptions on the door
jamb, on the left side of the entrance Rajagopuram, …. The continuation is lost
after the date portion. Another fragment in the same place mentions some pallis.
The Vijayanagara
period inscription on the west wall of the inner gopura, dated Saka 1505, May
20, 1583, CE, records that the Bhandarattar of the temple of Pattarāviperumal at
Tirukkannamangai sold to Kandadai Rāmānujayyangår, three laliyais of three
kurunis of temple prasādam per day-in perpetuity for the maintenance of a
feeding house (Ramanujakūtam) for 40 pon paid by him to the Bhandaram.
The
Vijayanagara period Sanskrit verse Grantha & Tamil inscription on the west
wall of the sanctum Sanctorum, dated Saka 1543, Mesha, 1621 CE, records the
consecration of the image of god Bhaktaprāņa (i.e. Bhaktavatsala).
Vijayanagara
King Achutha Vijayaraghava’s dated Chitrabhanu Panguni 20, inscription in
Tamil, records the gift of 15 ½ vēlis of land to Lakshmaņa-munigal for the
expenses of running a feeding house (Ramanuja- kütam), for conducting worship
and offerings and for repairs to the temple of god Bhaktavatsala perumāl at
Tirukkaņņamangai.
Vijayanagara
King Achutha Vijayaraghava’s Telugu inscription is a copy of the above (No.
79).
Ref:
Annual
report on Indian Epigraphy for the year 1946-47.
Thirupani
was inaugurated on 12th June 1960, and Jeernotharana Maha Samprokshanam
was conducted on 25th June 1967.
LEGENDS
This
temple is considered one of the Sapta Punya Kshetra or Sapthamrutha Kshetra,
considering the presence of Vimana, Aranya, Mandapa, Theertham, River, and
City.
As
per the legend, in the process of churning the milk ocean to get the Amirtha
with Manthara hill as Maththu on Maha Vishnu as Tortoise ( Kurma avatar ). Maha
Lakshmi came after Jyeshta Devi. Seeing the beauty of Maha Vishnu, when he came
out of the Milk Ocean, Maha Lakshmi, wished to marry him. She came to this
place and did penance on Maha Vishnu. The celestial wedding of Maha Lakshmi
with Maha Vishnu happened at this place. Since Maha Vishnu came from the Ocean,
called “Perum Pura kadal” ( Moolavar is called by this name ). To witness the
wedding all the Devas took the form of Honey bees and permanently stayed at
this temple. Beehive was seen in the Thayar Sannidhi, as a significance.
Since
Maha Vishnu rushes like steam to save his Devotees, Maha Vishnu is called
Bhatharavi Perumal.
In
another legend, the Vaishnava sect Achariyar’s disciple Kannamangai Andan,
during the Nithyana santhana koshti, entered into the sanctum Sanctorum in the
form of a dog, merges as Jyothi with Maha Vishnu.
Garuda
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart
from regular 6 kala poojas as per Vaikanasa agama, special poojas are conducted on 10 days Brahmotsavam,
followed by Chitra Pournami, Navaratri in Puratasi Month, Pavitrotsavam,
Vaikunta Ekadasi in the month Margazhi.
Rohini
Nakshatra parihara sthalam.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
The
temple will be open between 08. 00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
Landline number +91 4366 278 288 and the Mobile number +91 98658 34676 may be
contacted for further details.
HOW
TO REACH
This
Place Thirukannamangai is about 8 KM from Thiruvarur to Kumbakonam Road, and
the temple is on the left side of the road.
The
temple is 8 KM from Thiruvarur, 15 KM from Kudavasal, 34 KM from Kumbakonam,
and 54 KM from Thanjavur.
The
nearest railway Station is Thiruvarur.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
A brick pillar with sculpture
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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