Sunday, December 4, 2016

Loganatha Perumal Temple, Thirukannangudi – Religious Significance

Loganatha Perumal Temple, Thirukannangudi – Religious Significance

Pancha Kanna (Krishnaranya) Kshetrams:

This temple is considered as one of the Pancha Kanna (Krishnaranya) Kshetrams. Kannan refers to Krishna, the avatar of Lord 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 Naadu. 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.

Pancha Kanna (Krishnaranya) Kshetrams are as follows;

1.    Loganatha Perumal Temple, Thirukannangudi

2.    Gajendra Varadha Temple, Kabisthalam

3.    Neelamegha Perumal Temple, Thirukannapuram

4.    Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thirukkannamangai

5.    Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Thirukkovilur

Pancha Narayana Kshetrams:

This Temple is considered as one of the Pancha Narayana Kshetrams in this region. Pancha Narayana Kshetrams are listed as below;

1.    Loganatha Perumal Temple, Thirukannangudi 

2.    Anandha Narayana Perumal Temple, Abaranadari 

3.    Deva Narayana Perumal Temple, Thevur

4.    Varada Narayana Perumal Temple, Vadakalathur

5.    Yadava Perumal Temple, Kizhvelur

Divya Desams:

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th – 9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alwar in 10 hymns. Hence, the temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.