Neelamegha Perumal Temple
| Neelamegha Perumal Temple | |
|---|---|
 View of the temple and the temple tank | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Nagapattinam |
| Deity | |
| Location | |
| Location | Thirukannapuram, Thirumarugal Block |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
  Location in Tamil Nadu | |
| Geographic coordinates | 10°52′7″N 79°42′6″E / 10.86861°N 79.70167°E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Dravidian architecture |
The Neelamegha Perumal Temple or Sowriraja Perumal Temple is a
A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and three of its seven bodies of water. The temple has a seven-tiered
Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the
Legend
As per Hindu legend, Rangabhatta an ardent devotee and priest of the temple offered a garland to the presiding deity daily offered by a courtesan. The courtesan used to wear the garland before offering to the priest. One day, the ruling king found a hair in the garland asked the priest about it. The priest said that the hair was that of the deity himself. The king thought that priest was lying and wanted to punish him. While he checked the deity, Vishnu himself appeared with a sowri (wig). Since Vishnu appeared with Sowri, he is called Sowriraja Perumal in the temple.[1]
As per Padma Purana, a king called Vasu (also known as Uparisravas), had the ability to fly. He was killing the demons who were troubling the masses. While flying over this place, he mistook some sages as demons and attacked them. Vishnu came in as a 16 year old boy and defeated Vasu. It took a bit of time for Vasu to realise it was Vishnu who came in disguise. He prayed to Vishnu to marry his daughter Padmini. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu agreed to marry Padmini.[2]
Architecture
The temple has a seven-tier raja
The hall preceding the sanctum is called Mahamandapa and the northern part of it is called Thirumanjana Mandapam, where sacred bath is performed to the festive images during festivals. The Palliarai is the sacred chamber where the festive images of Vishnu and his consort are housed during festivals. There are separate shrines for Senai Mudaliar (the general of Vishnu's forces), Nardhana Krishna, the twelve Alvars, Rama, Consort of presiding deity and Thaylapura Nayagi. There are four temple tanks associated with the temple, with the largest, Nityapushkarani, located opposite the temple measuring 450 ft (140 m) by 415 ft (126 m).[4] Ksheerapati Pushkarani, Bhootavadan and Muthakaram are other three tanks of the temple.[1]
As per a legend, the original structure extended up to seven compounds and 13 miles leading to the seashore. The ruling Chola ruler, was against Vaishnavism and wanted to destroy the temple. An ardent devotee pleaded to Vishnu to appear and destroy the ruler. Vishnu was unmoved and in anger, the devotee threw a discus at the image, creating a scar. It is believed that the scar is seen in the image even during modern times. The presiding deity threw a discus to hurl the Chola forces. The image of the presiding deity is depicted hurling a discus.[1][3]
In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.[5]
Religious significance
The temple is revered in
| 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 and considered the foremost among the five temples.[1] 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. There are five similar temples located in North India, called Pancha-dvarakas. 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.[8] Sage Kanva is believed to have worshiped the presiding deity.[9]
Thirukannapuram is one among the eight temples including
Festivals and religious practices
The temple priests perform the
The major festival, the twelve-day Brahmotsavam is celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (April - May). Masi Mahotsavam is another ten-day festival during the Tamil month of Masi (February - March). During these festivals the legend of marriage of Padmasini with Sowrirarjan is enacted. As per the legend, Uparasiravasu, the ruler of fisherman community was trying to remove grains from a storehouse, when a watchman intercepted. Later during the day, the same watchman appeared as Vishnu to the ruler. He was pleased and got his daughter Padmasini married to Vishnu. The festive idol is so depicted to render a hand to his consort. During the festival, sacred water used during the ablution of the festive deities is distributed to devotees. There are religious discourses, musical performances and floats organized during the festival. The other Vaishnavite festivals like Krishna Janmashtami, Karthigai, Tamil New Year, Margali ten-day festival, Sankranti, Panguni Uttiram and Rohini Utsavam are celebrated.[1]
Food offering
Muna Yodhran Pongal is a traditional food offered to the deity every night during the last
See also
- Divya Desams
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j M., Rajagopalan (1993). 15 Vaishnava Temples of Tamil Nadu. Chennai, India: Govindaswamy Printers. pp. 57–65.
- ^ R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 461–2.
- ^ ISBN 9780595614523.
- ^ Sridhar, Lalitha (6 August 2004). "Magic on the waters". Business Line. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ Census of India, 1961: Madras. Manager of Publication, India. Office of the Registrar General. 1973. p. 483.
- JSTOR 44137144.
- ^ a b "Sri Neelamegha Perumal Temple". Dinamalar. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
- ISBN 978-81-7017-398-4.
- ISBN 9788120601512.
External links
Photogallery
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Temple tank -
Front mandapa -
Prakara -
Vimana of goddess -
Prakara -
Prakara -
gopuras
