Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Tirukannamangai – Legends
Varuna retrieving Pasayudham here:
Varuna, the
guardian deity of the west who can give immense happiness was able to
retrieve his ‘Pasayudham’ which was seized by Ravana, after performing penance here.
Mahalakshmi marrying Vishnu here:
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 consort of Vishnu 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.
Markandeya performing penance to achieve Chiranjeevi:
Markandeyar
performed penance here and got the boon to remain a deathless one (Chiranjeevi).
Sage Romasa explaining Nala Story to Pandavas:
The sage
Romasar was living and doing penance here. At that time he was requested by Indiran
to go and meet the Pandavas during their Aaranya vasam. He did so and
consoled Dharmaputhra by narrating the tale of King Nala.
Chandran afflicted with disease due to illicit Affair:
Chandran
did an unforgivable mistake by having an illicit association with the wife of Brihaspati.
As a result, he was afflicted with a severe disease and was hated by the world.
Chandran was ashamed and approached Brahma who advised him to take bath in the
holy waters of Dharshana Pushkarani and get rid of his curse at Thirukkannanmangai.
Brahmi taking bath in Darshan Pushkarani:
Brahmi,
one of the Saptha Mathas, and mother of Thilothamai wanted a holy dip in
Ganges. On search she was advised by Markandeya and sage Romasar that there is
no holier place than Krishna Mangala Kshetram and no holier waters than Darshan
Pushkarani. Brahmi came over to Thirukkannanmangai.
Lord
Kashi Viswanathar came to Thirukkannanmangai ahead of Brahmi, at Dharsana
Pushkarani and gave darshan to Brahmi much to her surprise. It is because there
exists a proverb “Gangai Adu Mangai Adu” (meaning Bathe in Gange and then bathe
in the Thirukkannanmangai tank).
Thirukkanna Mangai Aandan performing Pushpa Kainkaryam:
Thirukkanna
Mangai Aandan, the disciple of Nathamunigal was born here and was performing Pushpa
Kainkaryam (i.e) the duty to render flowers for god.
Bhadhrivanam:
There's
a forest named "Bhadhrivanam" and it's mostly like the one found in
Naimisaranyam and Bhadhrinath. This place is considered idle for performing
penance.
River Cauvery as garland to Vishnu:
River
Cauvery splits up into two brooks and runs in the North and South side of the
temple forming a Garland to the god.
Yogis and Devas are in the form of Bees:
Godess
Mahalakshmi performed penance in the "Shree Mandapan" of this temple
and after having a bath in the pushkarani she gave her hand to Bhaktavatsala Perumal.
Hence she is called as "Abishekavalli" and this place is also called
as "Lakshmi Vanam". There's a very old bee hive in her Sannathi. It's
being said that great rishi's and Yogis unable to bear to leave the god
transformed themselves as bee's and are in his company forever. The beehive in
the temple is believed to be devas worshipping Vishnu and in modern times, has
special rituals performed for it.
Bhaktaraavi Perumal:
Our
human soul is named Jeevatma and the soul of the great god as Paramathama. In
every Jeevathma paramathama lays on hidden position. To explain this and to
kindle the interest of every Jeevathma to enclave itself with the Paramathama,
the god Bhaktavatsala perumal transforms his soul and gives in place for the
Jeevathma and hence, as the god mingles his soul with those of his disciples he
is known as Bhaktaraavi perumal.
Krishna Mangala Kshetram:
As
Lakshmi’s wedding took place here at Thiru Kannamangai, this place is called
Krishna Mangala Kshetram.
Shiva guarding this place:
Shiva is believed to guard the four corners of the
temple. Belief is that one who stays here for a night will attain Moksham.
Brahma worshipped Vamana:
The
temple tank is believed to have originated from the water drops in Brahma's
cache when he worshipped Vamana, an avatar of Vishnu.
Thirukkanna Mangai Andan attained salvation here:
Acharya Nathamunigal,
who edited the devotional verses of 12 Alwars under the caption Nalayira Divya Prabandam,
had a disciple named Thirukkanna Mangai Andan. His mission in life was to
serve Lord, clean the temple and place him at Lord’s feet. While he was
chanting the Vedas one day, suddenly he took the form of a dog, entered into
the sanctum sanctorum and merged with Perumal as a Jyoti. A festival
dedicated to him on the Thiruvonam star day in the month of Aani – June-July is
devotionally celebrated. The place is named after him as Thirukkanna
Mangai
Sapthamrutha Kshetram:
The Shree
Kannamangai Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple depicts the six major criteria of
temple presentations, and these include - Vimana, Aaranya, Mandapa, Theertha
Kshetra Mahatmiyam, River and City Mahatmayam. These six criteria
enable a temple or sacred place to be recognised as a Saptha punya
kshetra or sapthamrutha kshetra.