Thirukkannapuram- How to get thereThirukkannapuram falls in the Tanjore district on the Mayavaram -Thiruvarur railway line. Four kms from Nannilam station, you will reach Tiruppugalur and about a km from here is one of the 108 Divyadesams - Tirukkannapuram. This Divyadesam is also one of the five Krishna kshetrams.
Here alone the Lord dwells in the complete form of ashtakshara manthra "ॐ नमो नारायणाय ". Thirukkannapuram is also known as saptha (seven) Punya Kshetram.
Apart from these glorious features, this temple has some that are exclusive.
The Lord in this temple is known as Sowrirajan and sports a long hair to go with the name. Legend says that the temple priest, on one night, gave the Lord's garland to his beloved. Sometime later, there was a message that the king would be coming over to the temple shortly. The priest got back the garland and offered it to the king when he arrived.
The king found a strand of hair in the garland and was furious. The priest, to save himself said that it was the Lord's hair. The king came the next morning to check it out and sure enough to save his devotee, the Lord was there with a long hair.
Another unique feature is a dish of rice and lentil called pongal. The "muniyodharan pongal" is unparalleled in taste. Here goes the story behind it. Muniyadharan was a tax collector in the Chola kingdom. Once, he asked his beloved to make pongal and came to the temple to offer to the Lord. The temple gates were closed by then. So he offered it from outside. Next day morning, the priest found, the remains of pongal on the Lord. Since then the pongal is offered to the Lord at the end of the day's rituals.
On the 7th day of the Vaikhasi (May- June) Brahmotsavam, the Lord is taken out in procession three times. The first procession begins at 5 p.m and after going round the Veethis (streets), the Lord returns to the temple. In the second procession that starts around 10 p.m, the Lord is taken out on a decorated flat bed chariot. The third procession starts at around 4 a.m. the next day, wherein the Lord is is attired in white clothes and a rudrakshamala. The Lord is brought to the outer mandap to the accompaniment of traditional beats. Siria thirumadal, a part of Divya Prabandham is recited.The Lord is then taken back to the temple after arthi .
The first one represents, the Lord Srimannaryana himself, the second Brahma and the third Lord Shiva. This is also to indicate that all forms are His embodiments.
Uparisravasu, king of the fisherfolk was a great devotee of Lord Sowrirajan. Lord married his daughter Padmini, to honour his devotion.
Till today, the Lord is taken with all parephernalia to the beach (near karaikal) where the fisherfolk show their devotion with their offerings. The Lord stays overnight with them before He returns to the temple.
Unlike in other temples, the vimana of the temple cannot be seen only from outside the temple at two points, one in the northern and the other in the southern streets. The utpalavataka vimana is named after the rishis who are believed to be sorrounding it.
Prayoga chakram, 100 pasurams by Thirmangaiazhwar in Periya thirumozhi, a scar on the forehead of the utsavar are a few more.
The list is endless. Hope there will a second part of this very soon.
All those who have visited the temple/ belong to this wonderful divyadesam are welcome to add their posts, comments and suggestions.
