Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Chola Naadu |
Chola Naadu | 16th Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
Thiru
Kannamangai Bhaktavatsalam Divya Desam is located about 25kms South of
Thirucherai Divya Desam on the Kumbakonam-Thiruvarur road between two rivers –
OdamPokki in the South and Virutha Cauvery in the North.
When
the milk ocean was churned, after the appearance of the Karpaga Tree and
Kamadenu, Mother Mahalakshmi appeared finally. Enticed by the handsomeness of
Perumal, She decided to have His hand in wedding, came to this place and began
Her penance to realize the wish. Knowing Her mind, Lord Vishnu asked
Vishwakseana to fix a Muhurt, the auspicious day for the wedding. He then
granted darshan to Mother. The wedding took place with all divine pomp and
splendour in the presence of all Devas – Mupathu Mukkodi-90 crore in number. As
Lord Perumal came out of the milk ocean for Mother Mahalakshmi, He is praised
as Perum Pura Kadal – Kadal in Tamil means ocean.
The place is also praised as Lakshmi Vanam as Mother performed penance here and
as Krishna Mangala Kshetra as the divine wedding took place here.
Besides
being one of the celebrated 108 Divya Desas of Lord Vishnu, the temple also
qualifies the six criterias of Vimana, Aaranya, Mandap, Theertha Kshetra
importance, River, City importance to be called a Saptha Punya Kshetra or
Sapthamrutha Kshetra. All the Devas in the celestial world gathered here to
witness and participate in the divine wedding of Lord Vishnu with Mother
Mahalakshmi. They wished that this darshan should be available to them for
ever. They took the form of honey-bees, built nests and stayed here to realize
their wish.
Even
today, a honey nest exists on the northern side of Mother’s shrine the
antiquity of which is not known to anybody. This is a miracle in this Divya
desam. It is believed that a one day stay in the place will bring total
salvation to the soul. As Lord rushes to the rescue of His devotees so fast
with the speed of Steam-Aavi in Tamil, He is praised as Bhakthar Aavi which
later changed as Bhatharavi. Perumal’s Vimana is of Utpala design. It is also
believed that the place is protected by Lord Shiva in all four directions in
four forms. Though Vishwakseana appears with four hands in Vishnu temples, He
appears with only two hands here as he came here to have the audience of Mother
Mahalakshmi for Perumal on an occasion.
During
Lord Vishnu’s Vamana Avatar, when He raised one of His legs up to the sky, Lord
Brahmma worshipped the leg with abishek from the water of His Kamanadala bowl.
A drop of this abishek water fell here, now praised as the sacred spring
Darshana Pushkarini. When Chandra-Moon was wandering here for relief of a
curse, he sighted this Pushkarini, his curse disappearing at once. Lord did the
abishek to Mother with this spring water and made Her His consort. Hence,
Mother is called Abishekavalli.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Kannamangai Nayaki, Sri Abishekavalli |
|
Theertham |
Darshana Pushkarini Theertham |
BELIEF:
Sri
Garuda Bhagwan, the celebrated vehicle of Lord Vishnu in the temple is colossal
in size gracing the devotees. Those seeking removal of obstacle in wedding proposals,
child boon and job seekers go round Him for realizing their wishes.
Varuna
the Lord of Rain, Sage Romasa, all Devas-Mupathu Mukkodi in number, had the
darshan of Lord in this temple.
Acharya
Nadhamunigal, who edited the devotional verses of 12 Alwars under the caption
Nalayira Divya Prapandam, had a disciple named Tirukanna Mangai Andan. His
mission in life was to serve Lord, clean the temple and place him at Lord’s
feet. While he was chanting the Vedas one day, suddenly he took the form of a
dog, entered into the sanctum sanctorum and merged with Perumal as a Jyoti. A
festival dedicated to him on the Tiruvonam star day in the month of Aani –
June-July is devotionally celebrated. The place is named after him as Tirukanna
Mangai.
HOW
TO REACH:
One
can take a bus from Kumbakonam via Tirucherai. One can also reach Kannamangai
from Thiruvarur (about 7 kms West of Thiruvarur). From Mayavaram, one can take
the Tiruvarur road to reach Thiru Kannamangai.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri
Bhaktavatsala Perumal Koil,
Thiru
Kannamangai,
Kudaivaasal,
Thiruvarur,
Tamil Nadu – 610104.
LOCATION:
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