Thiruvellakkulam Annan Perumal Temple, Thirunangur, Nagapattinam
| Date built: | – |
|---|---|
| Deity: | Thiruvellakkulam Annan Perumal |
| Architectural style: | Dravidian architecture |
| Major festivals | – |
| Locale: | Thirunangur |
| District:: | Nagapattinam |
| Address: | Sri Srinivasa Perumal (Annan Perumal) Temple, Thiruvellakkulam, Thirunangur – 609 106,Nagapattinam District |
| Phone | 954364-266534 / 9443679303 / 9443985899 / 94898 56554 / +91- 4364 – 266 534 / 266443 / 266 542 |
It is one among the eleven divyadesams of Thirunangur Tirupathis and is closely associated with Thirumangai Alvar. The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m and has four daily rituals at various times of the day. The Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalasasana Utsavam celebrated annually during the Tamil month of Thai is the major festival of the temple during which the festival images of the eleven Thirunangur Tirupathis are brought on mount designed like Garuda, called Garuda Vahana, to Thirunangur.
Temple Opening Time
The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m and has four daily rituals at various times of the day.
Prayers
Devotees celebrate their 60, 70 and 80th birth days in this temple. Devotes offer articles equal to their weight (Thulabharam) for removal of obstacles in wedding talks and freedom from fear of death. Sincere prayers at this temple will provide devotees with life security.
Festivals
The temple is open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamilnadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed four times a day: Ushathkalam at 8 a.m., Kalasanthi at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 5:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 7:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: Alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Srinivasaperumal and his consort Alarmelmangai.
During the worship, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. During the new moon day of the Tamil month Thai, the festival deity of Thirumangai Azhwar is brought to the temple from Thiruvali-Thirunagari. The Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalasasana Utsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (January–February).
The highlight of the festival is Garudasevai, an event in which the festival images of the eleven Thirunangur Tirupathis are brought on mount designed like Garuda, called Garuda Vahana, to Thirunangur. The festive image of Thirumangai Azhwar is also brought on a Hamsa Vahanam (palanquin) and his paasurams (verses) dedicated to each of these eleven temples are recited during the occasion. The festival images of Thirumangai Alvar and his consort Kumudhavalli Naachiyar are taken in a palanquin to each of the eleven temples.
The verses dedicated to each of the eleven temples are chanted in the respective shrines. This is one of the most important festivals in the region which draws thousands of visitors. Kaisika Ekadesi/Dwadasi Avathara Utsavam and annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Purattaasi are the other festivals celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
Vishnu appearing in eleven forms on Shiva request:
The legends of all the eleven temples of Thirunangur are closely associated with each other. As per legend, the Hindu god Shiva started dancing in fury at this place after the death of his consort Uma due to the yagna (sacrifice) of Daksha. Each time his lock of hair touched the ground; there were eleven other forms of Shiva who appeared. The celestial deities were worried that if the dance continues, it would result in decimation of entire creations. They prayed to Vishnu for help, who appeared at this place.
On seeing Vishnu, Shiva’s anger was reduced and he requested Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like he did. On his request, Vishnu appeared in eleven different forms at Thirunangur. Arimeya Vinnagaram literally translates to the place where Hari (another name of Vishnu) resides.
The eleven places where Vishnu appeared are believed to be where the eleven temples in Thirunangur are located. They are;
| Thirukavalampadi | Gopalakrishnan along with Rukmini and Satyabama. |
| Thiruvannpurushothamam | Purushothaman along with Purushothama Naayaki. |
| Thiru Sempon Sei Kovil | Perarulalan along with Allimaamalar Naachiyar. |
| Thiru Devanar Thogai | Deiva Naayagan along with Kadal Magal Naachiyar. |
| Thiru Mani Koodam | Varadharaja Perumal along with Thirumagal Naachiyar and Bhoomi Piratti. |
| Thiru Paarthanpalli | Thamarai Kelvan along with Thamarai Naayaki, in standing posture in all the above Kshetrams. |
| Thirumanimaada Kovil | Narayana Gyana Nandha Vilaku along with Pundarigavalli. |
| Thiruvaali Thirunagari | Amrudhavalli Vedharajan, Narashimar along with Amrudha Kada valli. |
| Thiru Vaigunda Vinnagaram | Vaigunda Nadhan along with Periya Piratti. |
| Arimeya Vinnagaram | Kudamaadu Koothan along with Amrudha Kada valli, in sitting posture in above 4 Kshetrams. |
| Thirutheythri Ambalam | Shenkann Maal along with Sengamalavalli, in sleeping posture of the type Bhujanga Sayanam. |
Vishnu blessed Swetharaja with long life:
Swetharaja, the son of Thunthumaran of Surya Vamsa had the life span of only 9 years initially but was later blessed by Lord Srinivasa for a long life, like Markandeya. He visited the temple, bathed in the Swetha pushkarani, started doing Mrutyunjaya Japam under vilva tree and got blessed.
Avathara Sthalam of Kumudhavalli, Consort of Thirumangai Azhwar:
This is the avatharastlam (birth place) of Sri Kumudha Valli Nachiyar, the one who was instrumental in converting the King Thirumangai to Thirumangai Azhwar.
Thirumangai Azhwar married Kumudhavalli in this Sthalam:
Thiru Mangai Mannan wanted to marry Kumudha Valli who belonged to the generation of the Devas. Mangai Mannan is said to have worked with utmost sincerity towards fulfilling each of Kumuda Valli’s conditions to marry him. It is believed that Mangai Mannan finally married Kumudhavalli at this place. Hence, there is a separate Sannidhi for Kumudha Valli at this temple.
Thirumangai Azhwar addressing Vishnu as Anna:
Thirumangai Azhvaar came here, had darshan of the Lord and praised him here as if he has seen Lord Srinivasa himself. His Paasurams also reflect the fact that the Lord is the elder brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa. Looked at as the elder brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa, it is believed that those who cannot go to Tirupathi can come here and ‘Annan’ is said to fulfill their wishes.
Lord here is seen together with the Goddess (Alar Mel Mangai) unlike in Tirupathi where he is seen alone. This is the only Divya Desam where the Perumal and Thaayar have the same names as in Tirupathi. All the offering in due to the Thiruvenkatamudayam of Tirupathi can be offered here too. It is also noteworthy that Saint Tirumangai Azhwar addressed only two Perumals as Anna in his hymns, Lord of Tirupathi and this Perumal.
Vishnu darshan to Manavala Mamunigal:
Lord Vishnu granted darshan to great scholar and Acharya Sri Manavala Mamunigal in this temple.
Photo Gallery
How to Reach:
This temple is in the village of Thiru Nangur and called as Thiruvellakkulam or Annan Perumal Temple. It’s about 5 miles (8 kms) away from Sirkazhi. It is one among the eleven divyadesams of Thirunangur Tirupathis.
By Road:
The temple is on the Sirkali-Nagapattinam route. The devotee has to get down at Annan Koil stop. Auto facility is available. There are buses from Mayavaram/ Sirkazhi that goes past Thiru Nangur. Direct special buses are available only on special occasions. If you are going in car it is 20 kms from Mayavaram and 8 kms from Sirkazhi.
The road leading to this village is narrow and you might miss the turning from the main road if you are not watchful. Extensive network of roads connect it to Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Pondicherry, Thanjavur and all other major cities. Nagapattinam is located at a distance of about 330kms from Chennai by Road.
By Train:
Nagapattinam railway junction connects Thiruvarur in the west, Nagore in the north, Velankanni in the south and Karaikal in the east. There is a daily express train to Chennai via Mayiladuthurai and Ernakulam via Coimbatore and it connects all major cities. Nearest Railway Station is located at Sirkazhi.
By Air:
The nearest Airport is Tiruchirapalli Airport, located 145 km (90 miles) away from the town.
Contact Details
Sri Srinivasa Perumal (Annan Perumal) Temple,
Thiruvellakkulam, Thirunangur – 609 106,
Nagapattinam District
Phone: +91- 4364 – 266 534 / 266443 / 266 542
Mobile: 954364-266534 / 9443679303 / 9443985899 / 94898 56554