- Special FeaturesFoundation Year1000 - 2000 years oldSthala TreeTheerthamNitya pushkariniRathamArchitectureDravidian architectureOther Speciality
- Sthala Puran
Neela Megha Perumal Temple or Sowriraja Perumal Temple is a Divyadesam temple in Thirukannapuram, a village in the outskirts of Nagapattinam, South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
STHALAM
Thirukkannapuram, a tiny village in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, is a well-known place and 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Desams. It is approachable by bus from Nannilam Railway Station on the Mayiladuthurai - Tiruvarur train route. It is at a distance of 6kms from Nannilam Railway station and 2kms from Tirupugalur on the Kumbakonam - Nagappattinam bus route. Town bus service is available from Tiruvarur.
This sthalam, also known as Krishna Kshetram, is the 3rd above of the lord. This is regarded as `Keezhai Veedu` (Eastern Adode) and prime among the Pancha Krishna Kshetras, Others four being.
1. Thirukkannankudi
2. Thirukkannamangai
3. Thirukovalur
4. Kannan Kabisthalam
The Temple is located centrally with an imposing `Raja Gopuram` towering 95 feet in height, facing the big sacred tank called `Nithya Pushkarani. The tank is kept neat and tidy. Childless couples are blessed with children if they take a dip with faith in the Nithya Pushkarani on Aadi ammavasai and Thai Ammavasai days in the 9 padithurais. Many Have got the realization of their prayers.
DEITIES:
Moolavar - Neelamega Perumal
Consorts - Sridevi, Boodevi
Uthsavar - Sowri Raja Perumal
Consorts - Sridevi, Bhoomidevi, Andal, and Padmini
Garudan and Dhandaka Maharishi are housed in the sanctum sanctorum seeking the Lord`s grace. To the right of the main shrine is a separate shrine for kannapura Nayaki, the consort of the Lord. To the left of the main shrine is another shrine for andal. Separate sannadhis are there for Azhwars, Vibeeshana, Garudan, and Muniyadharayara, Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman are housed in a separate shrine. A separate temple for Thirumangai Azhwar is located on the west car street. Sain Manavala Mamunigal stayed here and built this temple. The Sannadhi for Saint Ramanuja is situated on the north bank of the Pushkarani.
AZHWAR MANGALASASANAM:
Five Azhwars have dedicated 129 pasurams to HIM and realized His grace and blessings. They were Nammazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar, Kulasekara Azhwar, Periyazhwar, and Andal. After Srirangam and Tirupathi, Azhwar has dedicated 100 pasurams in `Ettam Patthy` in Periya Thimozhi, which stand to reveal the importance of the kshetram Kulasekara Azhwar`s 10 pasurams are in lullaby pattern recited daily at Arthajamam to make the lord go to sleep.
LEGENDS:
1) In the eight `Swayam Vyakthe` Skhethras (viz) Srirangam, Thiruvengadam, Vanamamalai, etc. Lord lives in the form of each letter of Thiruvashtakshara but thirukkannapuram. He is the embodiment of the whole of Thiruvashtakshara manthra. Thirumangai Azhwar got the meaning of `Thiruvashtakshara,` and the mere recital of this mantra will bring the desired results.
2) As desired by Vibeeshana, Lord Sriram Narayana took abode in Srirangam(Western adode) in a reclining posture, blessing vibheeshana`s Lanka with His look. While Vibheeshana enjoyed the beauty of the Lord in reclining Sayana Posture at Srirangam, he requested the Lord to bless him by showing the beauty of His walk. The Lord promised him to do so in his eastern abode (Keezhai Veedu)- Thirukkannapuram.
Accordingly, He does so by walking towards Vibheeshana`s shrine with sowrimudi on his head every new moon day (Amavasai) at noon, called `THIRU KAITHALA SEVAI` and a specialty at this shrine.
3) Muniyadharayan, chief of the Chola king, spent the royal revenue collections on temple rituals, devotees, and his lady in love, an ardent devotee of the lord. Finding him guilty, the king jailed him. His lover prayed to the Lord for his release, and the Lord appeared in a dream and ordered the king to release Sri Munaiadharayar. Accordingly, the king ordered his release.
One release from Jail visited his lady at Thirukkannapuram, and she prepared Pongal for him at night. It tasted like nectar, and he offered it to Lord before eating. The next day morning, the Archakar saw the Pongal with ghee on the lips of Lord. Charmed by the Lord`s acceptance, Muniyadarayar arranged to offer it during `Arthajamam daily. This special prasadam known as `Muniyodharan Pongal` is in great demand even now.
The Uthasavar icon of ancient origin is named `Sowri Rajan,` and he always wears a tuft over his head known as SOWRI MUDI. The legend goes that the Lord revealed His possession of hairs on the head to substantiate the claim of the temple p as true and saved his devotee from the wrath of the Chola king.
Navagraha:
In the Rajagopuram entrance on the right side wall, the `Navagrahas` encircled with 12 rasis in Chakram form with Surian and his consorts at the center are engraved, and daily poojas are also being performed Indhra did the prathishta and prayed the Lord to redeen himself from his Brahmahathi dosha. This combination of Navagrahas with Raasi, we cannot see anywhere else in Vishnu temple.
- ArchitectureRajagopuramLittle tower
Tower Name - Rajagopuram
No.of Kalasam - 11
Tower Description - The temple is 316 feet on the east-east and 210 feet on the south-north. The big Tower is 95 feet high. Seven-tiered balconies are set up, and everything within a 10 stone perimeter is visible from the four sides of the tower.
MOOLESTHANA MUN TOWERTower Name - Little tower
No.of Kalasam - 7
Tower Name - MOOLESTHANA MUN TOWER
No.of Kalasam - 5
- Alankar of Deity
- Prayers and BenefitsSpecial Vratas and Prayers
Pray to Perumal seeking wedding and child boon.
Offerings to DeityStotras and Mantras
- Festivals13 day Masi Maha Utsav Theethavari on 10th day of moon poornimaFebruary - March13 day Vaikasi Brahmmotsav on Poornima Anusha star day
- Sodasha Upcharas
- PrasadhasSpecial nivedhana Prasad Muniyodharan Pongal
- Social ActivitiesAnnadhanMarriageEar BoringHead ShaveDanaasEducation FacilitiesSocial DrivesOther Activities
- Arjita Seva
- Tags