Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple, Tirukannamangai

Coordinates: 10°47′58″N 79°35′13″E / 10.79944°N 79.58694°E / 10.79944; 79.58694
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple
Kodavasal
StateTamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple, Tirukannamangai is located in Tamil Nadu
Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple, Tirukannamangai
Location in Tamil Nadu
Geographic coordinates10°47′58″N 79°35′13″E / 10.79944°N 79.58694°E / 10.79944; 79.58694
Architecture
TypeDravidian architecture

The Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is a temple dedicated to

Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. Vishnu is worshipped as Bhaktavatsala Perumal and his consort Lakshmi
as Kannamangai Nayagi.

The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity and is believed to be initiated by the

Medieval Cholas of the late 9th century CE, with later contributions at different times from Thanjavur Nayaks. The temple has three inscriptions dating from the Chola period
. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower) and enshrined within a granite wall. The complex contains all the shrines and the temple tank is located outside the main entrance of the temple.

Bhaktavatsala Perumal is believed to have appeared to marry his consort Lakshmi in the place. The temple observes six daily rituals and three yearly festivals. The chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent festival of the temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Legend

Image of the entrance arch

As per Hindu legend, Varuna, the guardian deity of the west and sage Romasa are believed to have worshipped Vishnu at this place. The beehive in the temple is believed to be devas worshipping Vishnu and in modern times, has special rituals performed for it.[1] Shiva is believed to guard the four corners of the temple. As per another legend, when the Ocean of Milk was churned by asuras and devas, various objects emerged from it. At the end of it, Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, emerged, and was too shy to look at Vishnu. She went on to Thirukannamangai to perform penance seeking the hands of Vishnu for marriage. The festival deity of the temple is called Perum Purak katal as he is believed to have left his place to marry her. Local legend marks the places as Lakshmi Vanam, the forest where Lakshmi performed her penance. The temple tank is believed to have originated from the water drops in Brahma's cache when he worshipped Vamana, an avatar of Vishnu.[2] The temple finds mention in Skanda Purana and Brahmanda Purana.[3]

Architecture

The temple

Buddha, image of Vaikunta Natha and Vishnu mounted on his eagle mount Garuda are the major images in the temple. There is a pillared hall leading to the shrine of Kannamangai Thayar shrine that has pillars with Nayak architectural representation.[2]

Festivals and religious practices

The temple follows the traditions of the

tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred texts) and Nalayira Divya Prabandam are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.[5]

During the

Vaikuntha Ekadashi and Vijayadasami are celebrated during the respective days.[2]

Religious importance

Image of the temple tank

Tirukannamangai is mentioned in Padma Purana, one of the 18 sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The temple is revered in

acharyas have also written songs on the various forms of Bhaktavatsala in this Temple.[2] Tirukanna Mankaiyantan, the disciple of Nathamuni was born here during the 10th century. Thivyakavi Pillai Peruman has revered the presiding deity in his works of Notriyettu Tirupathi Kovai and Paravai Ramanujar in his works of Notriyettu Tirupati Tirupugal. One of the three Sangeetha Mumurthi, namely Muthuswami Dikshitar, has sung praise of the deity in his verses.[2]

Pancha Kannan Temples
Loganatha Perumal Temple Thirukannangudi
Gajendra Varadha Temple Kabisthalam
Neelamegha Perumal Temple
 Thirukannapuram
Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple Thirukannamangai
Ulagalantha Perumal Temple
Thirukkovilur

This temple is one of the Panchakanna (Krishnaranya) Kshetrams. Kannan refers to Krishna, the avatar of Vishnu, while pancha means five and Kshetrams refers to holy places. Four of the five temples are situated in Chola Nadu, in modern times, in the region surrounding Kumbakonam and Nagapattinam and one of them in Nadu Nadu. Krishna is not the presiding deity in any of the temples. The processional deity, Krishna, led to the derivation of the names of these places. There are five similar temples located in North India, called Pancha-dvarakas.[6]

See also

  • Divya Desams
  • Mangalasasanam by Divyadesam

References

  1. ISBN 9788120601512
    .
  2. ^ a b c d e f g R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 463–4.
  3. ISBN 9788184681123
    .
  4. ^ Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu. Sura books.
  5. ^ a b "Sri Bhaktavatchala Perumal Temple". Dinamalar. 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  6. ISBN 81-7017-398-1
    .

External links

Gallery
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