| DescriptionThis Divyadesam
is located 6 km north west of Tiruvarur;
at a distance of about 24km from Tirucherai.
It is a grand temple with impressive sculptures. This shrine is revered as one of the
five Krishnaranya kshetrams - Tiruvazhundur,
Tirukkannankudi, Kapistalam,
Kannapuram and Kannamangai.
Deities: The Moolavar here is Bhaktavatsala Perumal in a standing
posture facing east while Abhishekavalli is the presiding Taayaar here.
Legend :has it that Lakshmi worshipped Vishnu here, and hence the name
Lakshmivanam. It is believed that Shiva protects this shrine, from four temples located
around here. Varuna and Romesa muni are said to have worshipped Vishnu here.
This shrine is also referred to as Saptamrita Kshetram thanks to the
celebrated nature of 7 of its elements such as Vimanam, Mandapam, aaranyam, theertham,
kshetram, river, town . Belief also has it that residing in this town, would enable one to
be liberated of the cycle of births and deaths. A large beehive is located in the sanctum
of Abhishekavalli Taayaar, and it is believed that the rishis in the form of bees offer
worship to the deity. Worship is offered to the beehive also.
The legend related to the moon's loss of his lustre and the penance that helped his
regaining it holds here as in Somnath in Gujarat.
Legend also has it that Tirukkannamangai aandaan - a disciple of Naadamuni merged in
the form of light with the image of the presiding deity here; this belief is commemorated
in the Tiruvonam asterism of the tamil month of Aani.
The temple: This temple, covering a 10 acre area has 3 prakarams
and a 5 tiered rajagopuram. There are shrines to Kodandarama, Hayagreeva, Sanganidhi,
Padmanidhi here. Sculptured images of Vaikunthanathan, and Mahavishnu on the Garuda mount
are of great beauty here. Six worship services are offered each day here.
More recently, Ramalinga Adigalaar, Kaalamegappulavar and andakakavi Veeraraaghava
Mudali have sung praises of this shrine. |
