Neelamega Perumal Temple

Overview

The temple is located in Thirukannapuram near Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is in the Dravidian style of architecture and is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Neelamegha Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Tirukannapura Nayagi.

About the Temple

The temple was built in a Dravidian style of construction. There is a four-layered temple's entry. There is a four-layered rajagopuram , the temple's door tower, in the temple. The directing divinity is Sthalasayana Perumal and is a little picture portrayed in Sayana stance. The icon of Vyaghrapada is found alongside that of Kanvar in the sanctum sanctorum. All scenes joined with this spot are found in the fourth section of the Brahmanda Purana . Holy person Tirumangai Alvar went to the temple, however was not fulfilled by Vishnu's little picture of "Balasayanam", he asked for him to demonstrate his tremendous stance. Vishnu requested that the holy person go to Thirukkannamangai to witness his Vishvarupa.The managing god at Chirupuliyur is likewise named by the holy person in his Periya Thirumozhi verse. Name of the directing divinity in Sanskrit is Kripasamudra Perumal. He is otherwise called "Saranagatha Rakshaka Perumal", by which name the holy people have tended to the god Aamaruviyappan in Therazhundur. A different hallowed place for Adhiseshan is available close to the pushkarani - known as Ananthalwar Temple.

About the Deity

The Moolavar of this kshetram is Sri Neelamega Perumal. The Moolavar is giving his seva in the standing stance confronting east. Rather than Abhaya Hastham he has Varadha Hastham like Kanchi Varadharaja perumal. Additionally, he has the Prayoga Chakaram, like that of Ranganatha perumal of SriRangam. Prathyaksham for Kanva Maharishi, Thandaka Maharishi and Garudan. Thayaar found in this sthalam is Kannapura Naayaki alongside Periya piraati, Sridevi, Aandal and Padmini Thaayar. Utsavar of this sthalam is Utsavar Sowriraja perumal is in a stance of looking for hands for marriage.

Legend and Stories

Many years ago, sages performed penance on Lord Vishnu relinquishing food and sleep and thus were physically reduced as thin as paddy stalks. Almost they lost human form. A king Uparisiravasu by name blessed with the Astakshara Mantra Upadesa from Lord himself was passing through this place with his men. As they were hungry, they began to cut the sages for food mistaking them as paddy stalks. Lord rushed to their rescue in the guise of a small boy and defeated the king and his men. As his army could not resist the boy, he finally applied the Astakshara Mantra to win over him. The Mantra simply surrendered at Boy’s feet. Realizing that the boy was none other than Lord Himself, the king fell at his feet and begged His pardon. Lord pardoned the king and appeared before him as Neelamega Perumal. The king built this temple with the help of Viswakarma the divine sculptor. Perumal agreed to stay here at the request of the king.

Festivals

The thirteen day long Masi Magam Utsav with a Theerthavari in the sea on the 10th day of Masi full moon-poornima day in February-March is the most important festival in the temple. The other festival is the 13 day Vaikasi Brahmmotsav on Poornima Anusha star day with Lord coming in procession remembering the wedding event of Lord with Padmini Nayaki the daughter of Vasu. The festival concludes with Theerthavari in Nitya Pushkarini. 10 day, day festival (Pagal Pathu in Tamil) begins on the second day of Amavasya-new moon day in Margazhi covering December-January with Lord’s procession. The night festival in the same month (Rappathu in Tamil) begins with Vaikunda Ekadasi day. As the temple is praised as Vaikunda on Earth –Bhooloka Vaikundam, as established in the words of Saint Nammazhwar, there is no special Sorgavasal as traditionally seen in Perumal Temples. First day of all Tamil months; Ekadasi the 11th day of new moon or full moon days; Chitra poornima in April-May; Tiruvadipooram in July-August; Navarathri in September-October; Tirukarthikai in November-December; Panguni Uthiram in March-April; Deepavali, Makar Sankranthi; Tamil and English New Year days are also observed as festival days in the temple with special pujas to Lord.

Prasad and Offering

Those seeking wedding boon offer Archana Mala, perform Tirumanjanam, offer nivedhana with Parivattam and Sowrimudi used mostly by women with short hair. Other commitments include offering vastras, tulsi garlands, and pujas with dressing-alankaras. Two time puja is dedicated Sri Anjaneya with Vadamala. Devotees also contribute for the renovation of the temple.

Significance

People pray to Perumal seeking wedding and child boon. As the very name of Perumal indicates the alluring of hair beauty, many pray for beautiful hair style and cure from hair fall. People also pray for total cure from threatening diseases. Usual prayers for family welfare, prosperity etc. As Lord’s view fall on the Navagrahas the nine planets in this Vaishnava temple, all adverse aspects of planets are removed. Perumal grants all boons to devotees such as employment opportunities, progress in trade, promotions etc. to His devotees.

Nearby Place To Visit

Kayaroganeswarar Temple
Thanthondreeswarar Temple
Neelakandeswarar Temple
Pallavaneswarar Temple
Aranyeswarar Temple
Naganathar Temple

Accessibility

The devotee should reach Tirupugalur from Mayiladuthurai via Channanallur. Tirukannapuram temple is further 2 km from here. Buses from Nannilam and Nagapattinam also run through Tirupugalur. Tirukannapuram is 18 km from Tiruvarur, 8 km from Nannilam and 2 km from Tirupugalur. The closest railway station is in Nannilam, and airport is in Trichy.

Temple Address

Sri Sowriraja Perumal Temple,
Tirukannapuram,
Nagapattinam district.
Pin code - 609 704.