Friday, April 28, 2017

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Tirukannamangai, Thiruvarur

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Tirukannamangai, Thiruvarur
Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is a temple dedicated to Hindu god Vishnu, located in Thirukannamangai, a village in Thiruvarur district in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu. Constructed in Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is counted as one among the 108 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 8th century AD, 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 Tamilnadu.


Bhaktavatsala  Perumal Divya Desam in Thiru Kannamangai is located 7kms West of Thiruvarur on the Kumbakonam-Thiruvarur Highway between two rivers – Odam Pokki in the South and Virutha Cauvery in the North where Lord Perum Pura Kadal is seen in a gigantic standing posture along with Sri and Bhoo Devi Thaayar. This is the birth place of Thiru Kannamangai Andan. The temple is located near the Thirucherai Temple, also one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desams, at the township of Thirukkanna Mangai on the Kumbakonam-Thiruvarur road, Tiruvarur district, Tamilnadu, near the towns of Kumbakonam and Mayavaram.


The Nayak kings are known to have renovated the temple in the 17th Century. The Alwar in veneration at the temple is, the great Thirumangai Azhvaar, with several great compositions in praise of the Lord, as Shri Bhaktavatsalam, as renditions. Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple is also called by the names Krishna Mangala Kshetram, Krishnaranya Kshetram. Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is considered as one of the ‘Panchakanna Kshetrams’ (five Holy temples of Lord Vishnu), Lord Kannan (Lord Krishna), is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.


The Panchakanna Kshetrams are:
·        Loganatha Perumal Temple at Thirukannangudi
·        Gajendra Varadha Temple at Kabisthalam
·        Neelamegha Perumal Temple at Thirukannapuram
·        Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple at Thirukannamangai
·        Ulagalantha Perumal Temple at Thirukkovilur
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
The Temple
For brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m
Festivals & Religious Practices
For brief details, please refer below link;
Religious Importance
For brief details, please refer below link;
Singers
Thiru Mangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi has praised the Lord as Perum Pural Kadal in his very first verse.
Thirumangai Azhvaar's Praise:
பெரும் புறக் கடலை அடல் ஏற்றினை
பெண்ணை ஆணை எண் இல்
முனிவர்க்கு அருள் தரும் தவத்தை
முத்தின் திரள் கோவையை 
பத்தர் ஆவியை நித்திலத் தொத்தினை
ஆசையை அமுதம் பொதி இன் சுவையை
கரும்பினை கனியை சென்று நாடி
கண்ணமங்கையுள்  கண்டு கொண்டேனே ” - Periya Thirumozhi 7-10-1
Prayers
Sri Garuda Bhagwan, the celebrated vehicle of Lord Vishnu in the temple is colossal in size gracing the devotees.  Those seeking removal of obstacle in wedding proposals, child boon and job seekers go around him for realizing their wishes. Devotees perform Thirumanjanam and offer vastras and pray to him.
Contact
Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal temple,
Tirukannamangai – 610 104,
Thiruvarur District
Phone: +91 4366 278 288
Mobile: +91 98658 34676
Connectivity
Tirukannamangai is 5 km from Tiruvarur on the Kumbakonam route. This temple is 40 Kms from Kumbakonam. It is 7 Kms Northwest from Thiruvarur Railway station. Nearest Railway Station is located at Thiruvarur and Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.