Saturday 12 October 2024

Sri Loganatha Perumal Temple / ஸ்ரீதாமோதர நாராயணப் பெருமாள் திருக்கோவில், Thirukkannangudi/திருக்கண்ணங்குடி, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu.

திருக்கண்ணங்குடி தியான ஸ்லோகம்
உத்பலாவதகே திவ்யே விமாநே கமலாபதிம்!
வந்தே மாடரா முக்யைஸ்து வந்திதம் லோகநாயகம்!!

The Visit to this Sri Loganatha Perumal Temple at Thirukannangudi, near Nagapattinam 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 ), and Pancha Narayana Kshetram, built under the direct supervision of Mudaliandan, a disciple of Sri Ramanujar ( After Pitti Deva converted to Vaishnavism as Vishnuvardhan, constructed 6 Narayanar Temples through Ramanujar, of which Melkot Temple was not constructed under the direct supervision of  Mudaliandan. The 5 temples are, Sri Keerthi Narayana Perumal Temple at Thalakad, Sri Nambi Narayana Perumal Temple at Thondanur, Sri Kesava Narayana Perumal Temple at Belur, Sri Sowmiya Narayana Perumal Temple, Nagamangala, and Sri Veera Narayana Perumal Temple, Cuttak. ).

This also one of the 108 Diva Desam and Mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar.

வங்கமா முந்நீர் வரிநிறப் பெரிய 
        வாள்,அரவின் அணை மேவி,
சங்கம்ஆர் அம்கை தடமலர் உந்தி 
        சாமமா மேனி என் தலைவன்,
அங்கம் ஆறு ஐந்துவேள்வி நால்வேதம் 
        அருங்கலை பயின்று, எரி மூன்றும் 
செங்கையால் வளர்க்கும் துளக்கம்இல் மனத்தோர் 
        திருக்கண்ணங்குடியுள் நின்றானே.
…….. திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் 1748

Moolavar  : Sri Loganatha Perumal, Seyamalameni Perumal
Utsavar    : Sri Dhamodara Narayanan
Thayar     : Sri Lokanayagi, Sri Aravinda Nayagi

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..
The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. There are no stucco images on the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. Stucco Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of Ardha Mandapam. Moolavar is standing posture, about 7 feet tall with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Holding sankha and chakra in the upper hands and lower right hand is in abhaya hastam and the left hand is in kadi hastam. A Chengol with a parrot adorns the Moolavar. Utsavars are in front of Moolavar.

In ardha mandam, Sri Andal, Kesavan, Sri Devi, Sri Madhavan, Sri Bhumidevi, Sri Narayanar, and Viswaksenar.  

In maha Mandapam Sri Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana are in a separate sannidhi. Anjaneyar is opposite to Ramar sannidhi, in the outer Praharam. Thanikoil Nachiar Sri Aravinda Nayagi, and Nagars.





ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, Maha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with Vedikai. Vishnukantha pilasters with square base, kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai and Vettu pothiyal.

The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with Nasikudus. The temple was constructed with stones from adhistanam to prastaram. The Superstructure of Dravida Vimanam is of Two tiers. The Vimanam was built with bricks. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu’s various forms are on the Tala and Greeva koshtams. The Vimana is called Uthbalaavathekam- உத்பலாவதகம்,- Vimanam.

The front mandapas are vavvalnethi mandapas built during Maratas period.





HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
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 Thanjavur Nayakas / Marathas.
 
16 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு  தாமோதர நாராயணப் பெருமாள் கோயில் அம்மன் சந்நதி பின்புறச் சுவரில் உள்ள கல்வெட்டு வரம்தரும் பெருமாள் முதலியார் செய்த தர்மத்தைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறது. அம்மன் கோயில் அவரது தர்மத்தில் உருவாகியதாகலாம்.

The 16th Century inscription on the Dhamothara Perumal Temple, Thayar sannidhi back side wall records the gift of Varamtharum Perumal Mudaliar. The Thayar sannidhi might have been constructed by him.  

Ref
Nagappattina Mavatta kalvettukkal 

LEGENDS
As per the legend, the sage Vasishta made the idol of Krishna and worshipped. The butter idol didn’t melt due to the devotion of the sage on Maha Vishnu. Maha Vishnu wanted to test the Sage Vasishta. Took the form of a small Brahmin boy, and started eating the butter idol of Krishna. Angered Sage Vasishta chased the boy, and ran through the other sages doing meditation. The sages caught hold of the boy and tied him to a tree. Maha Vishnu in the form of Krishna appeared before the sage Vasishta and other sages and blessed them.   

There are sayings about this place as Urangapuli, Oorak Kinaru, and Kaya Mahizham.
During the construction of the Srirangam Temple compound wall, Thirumangai Alwar was left short of money. He came down to Nagapattinam and burgled the Buddha Temple with four magicians, Thoravazhakan ( தொராவழகன் ), Neermel Natappan ( நீர்மேல் நடப்பான்), Nizhalil othunguvan ( நிழலில் ஒதுங்குவான் ), and Thal Oothuvan ( தாள் ஊதுவான் ), through Yathirajan.  They took away the Golden Statues and Gold articles. Through his divine power converted them into gold bars and took it to Srirangam. On the way Thirumangai Alwar stayed in one place where he hid the Gold bars under the Tamarind Tree and asked it to take care of the Gold bars. The Tamarind tree didn’t sleep, to safeguard the Gold bars. Hence this place is called “Porul Vaitha Chery -பொருள்வைத்த சேரி, and the Tamarind tree is called “Urangapuli - உறங்கா புளி” -( the tree never sleeps ).

The landowner happened to see, Thirumangai Alwar taking the Gold bars, where he hid.  The landowner claimed that it must be belonged to him, since he was the owner of the land. Thirumangai Alwar said that the land belongs to him and the document is available at Srirangam and will bring it to this place to prove it. But never returned with the documents. Hence this is called “Theera vazhakku -  தீராவழக்கு.

On the way, he felt very thirsty and asked to drink water from the ladies who were drawing water from the well. Since the women heard about the quarrel between Thirumangai Alwar and the Landowner, refused to give. Angered Thirumangai Alwar cursed, saying that the wells would go dry forever. From the day onwards, the wells became dry. Hence these wells are called “oora kinaru - ஊறா கிணறு”.

With thirst and hunger, Thirumangai Alwar slept under a Mahizham tree. The Mahizham tree fanned him with its green leaves and branches. A Brahmin came and offered him food and water. When finished eating, and wants to express his gratitude to the Brahmin. But the Brahmin found disappeared. Thirumangai Alwar realized that the Brahmin, who gave food was none other than Maha Vishnu. To his prayer, Maha Vishnu appeared and blessed him. The Mahizham tree was called “kaya Mahizham -  காயா மகிழம்”, which means the tree which never dries.


POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on, Panguni Brahmotsavam, Masi Maham, etc. Nagapattinam, fishermen used to join in the celebration in the temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS
The landline number 04365245350 may be contacted for further details.
Bhattar Prabhu may be contacted on his mobile +91 99431 38591 may be contacted for further details.
The naivedyam preparing person Rangarajan Mobile +91 9442861719, may help to some extent.

HOW TO REACH
This temple is at Thirukannangudi Village, which is 1.6 km from the Nagapattinam to Thiruvarur Road. From Nagapattinam turn left at Azhiyur and the temple is about 1.6 KM.
The temple is 10.5 KM from Nagapattinam and 17 KM from Thiruvarur.
The nearest railway station is Nagapattinam. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE


Thayar

Thayar Temple 
Thayar Temple 
Thayar Temple 
Nagars



Anjaneyar Sannidhi

Ramanujar Sannidhi


--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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