Thirukkannamangai

108 Divya Desams, Thiruvarur District

God

Bakthavatsala Perumal, facing east in a standing posture

Goddess

Bhoomidevi (also Abhishekavalli), facing east

Other Deities

Aandal, Garuda

Thirukkannamangai is a beautiful large temple with a 3 tier Rajagopuram facing east, a large temple pond in the front and 3 Prakarams. A beehive is present inside the goddess shrine which also receives daily rituals. This temple is also called Sapthabamrudha Kshetram because of the unification of the 7- Vimmanam, Mantapam, Aranyam, Theertham, Kshetram, River and Town. Thirukkannamangai is also one of the Panch Krishna Kshetrams, the others being Thirukannangudi, Kabisthalam, Thirukannapuram and Thirukkovilur. A rare Buddha idol and a large Garuda statue are seen here.

Holy water (Theertham) – Darshana Pushkarini

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Magizham (Mimusops elengi)

Vimaanam – Utpala Vimaanam

History

The temple is said to be initiated by the Medieval Cholas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions at different times from Thanjavur Nayaks. The temple has three inscriptions dating from the Chola period. Tirukannamangai is mentioned in Padma Purana, one of the 18 sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Azhvar. Tirukanna Mankaiyantan, the disciple of Nathamuni was born here during the 10th century. Thivyakavi Pillai Peruman has revered the presiding deity in his works of Notriyettu Tirupathi Kovai and Paravai Ramanujar in his works of Notriyettu Tirupathi Tirupugazh. One of the three Carnatic Trinity Muthuswami Dikshitar, has sung praise of the deity in his verses.

Mythology

Chandran is believed to have been advised by Brahma to have a bath in the pond here and pray to the lord to receive his shine back which was waning because he was cursed by his Guru for having an illegitimate relationship with his wife. Goddess Lakshmi has performed penance towards the lord here. Lord Shiva is believed to guard Lord Vishnu here in four forms in the four directions.

Directions

Thirukkannamangai is about 6 kilometers north west of Thiruvarur in the Kumbakonam Road.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Thiruvarur