Divya Desam – Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Chola Naadu |
Chola Naadu | 24th Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
Thirukannapuram,
near Thirupugalur, which lies between Nagapatinam, Nannilam and Kumbakonam, is
one of the 108 Vaishnava sthalas (Divya Kshetrams). The moolavar’s name is
Neelamegam and the utsavar is Savriraja Perumal.
The idol appears in an unusual posture here in this temple. Instead of blessing
the devotees, he appears to be in a receiving posture, meaning that he is
accepting the sorrows and difficulties of the devotees.
Located 20kms North West of Nagapatinam (20kms East of Tiruvarur, 30kms South
of Kumbakonam and Mayavaram), this is one of the 5 Krishnaranya Kshetrams. Lord
Narayana himself re-incarnated as Sowri Rajan at Kannapuram.
Walking
Beauty of Lord: This is the temple where the Lord showed Vibheeshana,
brother of Ravana, his walking beauty. After seeing the sleeping beauty of
Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam, Vibheeshna wanted to see the walking
beauty of the Lord, upon which he was directed by the Lord to his “Keezh(akku)
Veedu’ (Eastern Gateway of the Lord). It is believed that Lord Vishnu displayed
his ‘walking beauty’ to Vibheeshana here on the new moon day. To mark this
event, on every Amavasya day at 12noon, Lord SowriRajan is carried out of the
Sanctum and walks to the Vibheeshna Sannidhi.
Garuda
humbled: Garuda was returning from the milk ocean carrying the nectar for
his mother. He thought that he was too great to fly with the nectar not
available to all. While flying on this place with a proud mind, he lost his
power and fell on the ocean. Realizing that he had committed a sin, he
performed penance here and begged the pardon of the Lord. The Lord graced him
and took him as his vehicle. This festival is celebrated in the temple on Masi
(February-March) Poornima – Full moon today. Devotees greet the Lord calling
Him in chorus as Mappillai – son-in-law.
Munayadarayan
Pongal (pudding): A chieftain, Munayadarayan by name, was ruling this
region once. He used to have his food only after praying to Lord Vishnu and
spent all his wealth in the service of the Lord and became poor. For defaulting
tax payment to the king, he was arrested. The Lord appeared in the dream of the
king and ordered him to release Munayadarayan immediately. When the chieftain
returned from the custody at night, his wife served him a pudding prepared with
rice, dal and salt. He offered it to the Lord as usual and then ate it.
Next
day, when the priest opened the temple, he found the pudding on the lips of the
Lord. The king also was surprised to see the Lord accepting the Pongal offered
by the chieftain. Now, Pongal is offered to the Lord during the night puja and
this is called Munayadarayan Pongal.
A
king called Vasu had the power to fly in the sky and helped the Devas to win a
battle against the Asuras. Vasu felt thirsty after the battle and in order to
quench his thirst, he landed at this hallowed shrine. His solders who traveled
along with him mistook the fragile and puny sages who were meditating in the
pond to be uncut sheaves. The soldiers tried to shear them off. The sages were
alarmed at this act and cried for help. The lord, on hearing them wailing,
appeared as a 16-year-old lad and confronted Vasu. The lord wanted to save his
devotees – the sages.
The
king thought that if he was able to defeat the Asuras in no time, vanquishing
the lad would not be difficult. So, he tried to defeat the lord by employing
special techniques. All his efforts were futile and finally he fired the
powerful Narayana asthram. The asthram circled and fell at the feet of the
lord. Only then did the king come to know that the lad was none other than
Narayana in disguise. He at once surrendered at the lord’s feet and asked for
pardon. The lord, known for his benevolence, at once pardoned him.
Lord
Narayana in 3 forms: On the 7th day of Vaikasi, Lord Narayana provides
darshan in all his 3 forms (TriMoorthy Swaroopam)- Maha Vishnu in the day,
Brahmaa in the night at around 11pm and Lord Shiva early next morning
Procession to the Sea Shore: Once a year, on the occasion of Maasi Magam,
the Lord is taken on a procession to the sea shore near Karaikal, about 20 kms
from here.
Sowriraja
perumal is seen with prayoga chakkra in his hands. The place is considered as
Bhoolokha vaikundam. There is no separate door/ entrance, in the temple as
Swarga vassal and there is no vimana darshanam in the temple. It is believed
that there is a ‘pulling power’ in the sanctum santorum of this temple and even
to this day, one can feel and experience this effect.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Sowriraja Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Kannapura Nayaki |
|
Theertham |
Nityapushkarani Theertham |
BELIEF:
People pray to lord
seeking wedding and child boon. As the very name of permual indicates the
alluring of hair beauty, many pray for beautiful hair style and cure from hair
fall. People also pray for total cure from threatening disease. Usual prayers
for family welfare, Prosperity etc. As lord’s view fall on the navagrahas the
nine planets.
The
major festival, the twelve-day Brahmotsavam is celebrated during the Tamil month of
Vaikasi (April - May). Masi Mahotsavam is another ten-day festival during the
Tamil month of Masi (February - March). During these festivals the legend of
marriage of Padmasini with Sowrirarjan is enacted. As per the legend,
Uparasiravasu, the ruler of fisherman community was trying to remove grains
from a storehouse, when a watchman intercepted. Later during the day, the same
watchman appeared as Lord Vishnu to the ruler. He was pleased and got his
daughter Padmasini married to Vishnu. The festive idol is so depicted to render
a hand to his consort. During the festival, sacred water used during the
ablution of the festive deities is distributed to devotees. There are religious
discourses, musical performances and floats organized during the festival. The
other Vaishnavite festivals like Krishna
Janmashtami, Karthigai, Tamil New
Year, Margazhi ten-day festival, Sankaranthi, Panguni Uthiram and Rohini
Utsavam are celebrated.
HOW
TO REACH:
Bus
every 10 minutes on the Kumbakonam/ Mayavaram-Nagapattinam route.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri
Sowriraja Perumal Temple,
Tirukannapuram,
Nagapattinam,
Tamil Nadu.
LOCATION:
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