| Description: This
celebrated Divya Desam is located at Tirukkannamangai, near Tiruppugalur, 6 km from Nannilam.
Tirukkannapuram is known as Sreematashtaakshara Mahaa Mantrasidhdhi Kshetram and is
considered to be the eastern gateway to Srirangam.
Tirumangai Alwar is said to have been initiated here. Also located nearby
is the Ramanadeeswaram Shivastalam
sung by the Tevaram hymns of Tirugnanasambandar where Rama is believed to have worshipped
Shiva. Kannapuram is revered as one of the five Krishnaranya kshetrams - Tiruvazhundur, Tirukkannankudi,
Kapistalam, Kannapuram
and Kannamangai.
It is even referred to as the eastern shrine while Srirangam is referred to as the
Western shrine.
Deities: The Moolavar here is Neelamegapperumaal in a standing posture
facing east, while the Utsavar is Sowrirajan. Taayaar here is Kannapura Nayaki (Sree Devi,
Bhu Devi, Andal, Padmini) enshrined in a separate sanctum. There is a shrine to
Ramanujacharyar on the northern bank of the temple tank and there is a shrine to
Tirumangaialwar elsewhere near the temple.
The temple: The sanctum enshrines Neelamegapperumaal with his
consorts. Andal's image is seen to the left of Perumal, while Padmavati Taayar (a local
princess born of a fisherman) is located to his right; Vishnu's marriage with Padmavati is
represented here. This temple with 3 prakarams occupies an area of about an acrea nd a
half and it has a 100 feet high 7 tiered Rajagopuram. Across from the temple is the
Nityapuskharini tank which is larger than the temple. There are shrines dedicated to Rama
and Vibhishana in this temple.
Legend has it that the image of Vishnu in the sanctum miraculously
showed a growth of hair, in order to protect the words of a devout priest Rangabhattar,
hence the name Sowrirajan. Legend also has it that Vishnu blessed Vibhishana here
revealing to him the grace of his gait (nadaiazhagu), on a new moon day.
Vishnu is believed to have vanquished the demon Veekatakshan with his discus; the image
in the sanctum shows him bearing the 'prayoga' chakram. Offerings of Pongal are considered
to be of great significance here.
Legend has it that a devotee by name Muniyadaraiyaar, who came here with an offering of
Pongal, unable to enter a locked temple (after the nightly worship service) was blessed
with the miraculous sound of bell chimes from within the temple; this miracle is recounted
with the offering of 'Muniyodaram Pongal' during the nightly worship service.
Legend has it that a king by name Uparisravas performed the aswamedha sacrifice and
begot a daughter by name Padmini, whom he offered in marriage to Vishnu at this shrine.
(also see Tirupper nagar).
Festivals: Six worship services are offered each day. The Bhramotsavam
is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi, and the Mahotsavam in the month of Maasi, where the
festival image of Sowrirajan is taken to the seashore on a golden garuda mount, where
fishermen join the celebration. The adhyayana utsavam is celebrated in the month of
Margazhi. The first day of each tamil month, the ekadasis and the hasta asterism are all
celebrated in this temple. |
