Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Thiru Kannamangai Bhaktavatsala Perumal

The Divya Desam with Bees - Krishna Mangala Kshetram
Birth Place of Thiru Kannamangai Andan
Bhaktavatsala  Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Kannamangai is located 7kms West of Thiruvarur on the Kumbakonam-Thiruvarur Highway between two rivers – Odam Pokki in the South and Virutha Cauvery in the North where Lord Perum Pura Kadal is seen in a gigantic standing posture along with Sri and Bhoo Devi Thaayar. This is the birth place of Thiru Kannamangai Andan.

Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi has praised the Lord as Perum Pural Kadal in his very first verse.

The Story
Goddess Lakshmi performed penance here to attain the Lord. It is believed that Thirupaarkadal Lord called in his security Vishwakshena and asked him to suggest a good day for their wedding. Legend has it that all the Devas congregated here to witness the wedding. They were so overwhelmed on seeing the Lord and Goddess Lakshmi together that they took the form of bees and decided to stay here ever after. To this day, one can find the bees in the Thaayar Sannidhi - a unique feature of this Divya Desam.

Krishna Mangala Kshetram
As Lakshmi’s wedding took place here at Thiru Kannamangai, this place is called Krishna Mangala Kshetram.

Special sculpture of Vaikuntanathan and ‘Vishnu on top of Garuda’ is a feature here.

Lord Shiva is said to be protecting the place from all sides.
Belief is that one who stays here for a night will attain Moksham. Chandran was relieved of his curse (by Devas) after his prayers to the Lord here. This ancient temple praised in his Periya Thirumozhi by Thirumangai Azhvaar was renovated by the Nayak Kings in the 17th century.

Thirumangai Azhvaar's Praise

“பெரும் புறக் கடலை அடல் ஏற்றினை 
பெண்ணை ஆணை எண் இல் 
முனிவர்க்கு அருள் தரும் தவத்தை 
முத்தின் திரள் கோவையை 

பத்தர் ஆவியை நித்திலத் தொத்தினை 
ஆசையை அமுதம் பொதி இன் சுவையை 

கரும்பினை கனியை சென்று நாடி
கண்ணமங்கையுள்  கண்டு கொண்டேனே ” - Periya Thirumozhi 7-10-1

Quick Facts

Moolavar       :  Perum Pura Kadal  -Standing Posture facing East
Thayar           : Kannamangai Thaayar
Utsavar          :  Bhaktavatsalam
Utsava Thaayar : Abhisheka Valli

Temple time: 730am –1230pm and 5pm-830pm
Priest       : P.K. Ramaswamy Bhattar / Raja @  99437 02989/ 98424 65956

Contact Address :
Bhaktavatsala Perumal Koil
Thiru Kannamangai
Kudaivasal Taluk
Thiruvarur Dist 610 104

How to reach Thiru Kannamangai
From Madras, take the train to Thiruvarur. From Thiruvarur station, an auto to the temple will cost Rs. 100. One can also take the Kumbakonam bound bus from Thiruvarur ( will take about 15 minutes) to get down right in front of the temple arch.

One can also take a bus from Kumbakonam via Nachiyar Koil and Tirucherai.

Contact Taxi : 97905 23834. He can take you around all the Divya Desams and ancient Perumal Temples in and around Kodaivasal.

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