Thiruvellakkulam (Annan Perumal Temple), Thirunangur –
Literary Mention
The
temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Periazhwar, Thirumalisai Alvar & Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in
the book. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in
several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai
Perumal Aiyangar. The temple has the Mangalasasanam by Saint Tirumangai Azhwar.
Thirumangai
refers to the Lord as ‘Anna’. “Kaliyan Sonna Maalai Vallaaravar Vaanaraguvai
Thaamey” shows this Lord as the elder brother. In his Periya Thirumozhi verse
on Thiruvellakkulam, Thirumangai Azhwar praises the temple as one with ‘Huge
Walls’. The temple, he says, had a sacred tank where red lotuses bloomed and
was surrounded by rich orchards, big lakes, fertile fields and flower groves,
giving us an indication that this was once a very prosperous place.
Thiru
Nangur seemed centric to this region that is home to 13 Divya Desams close to
each other that Thiru Mangai Azhwar in his praise of the Lord of Thiruvellakkulam
refers to this temple in each of his verses as being in Thiru Nangur. As seen
from Thirumangai Azhwar’s praise, this place reverberated with Vedic recitals
through the day and there was positive energy among the people in this Divya
Desam as they enjoyed listening to the recital with devotion.