018. Thirukkannamangai - Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Kumbakonam

About the Temple & Location:

This temple lies in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. It is about 25 miles from Kumbakonam, 15 miles from Thirucherai and 4 miles Northwest from Thiruvaarur Railway station. But facility and facility to stay are also available.

Sthala Puranam:

This place is also called as "Sapthamirtha Kshetram" for the seven things

      1.       The Vimana

      2.       The Mandapam

      3.       The status of the forest found here

      4.       The river

      5.       The location of the temple

      6.       The city and

      7.       The pushkarani all contain the properties of Amudham to provide eternal life beyond death.

Thirukkanna Mangai Aandan, the diciple of Nadhamunigal was born here and was performing pushpa kainkaryam (ie) the duty to render flowers for god.

Lord God of the moon (ie) Chandra was once caught up by a drenchful cursing and after taking a holy bath in the dharsana pushkarani found in this place got rid out of his curse.

There's a forest named "Bhadhrivanam" and it's mostly like the one found in Naimisaranyam and Bhadhrinath. This place as considered idle for performing penance.

River Cauvery splits up into two brooks and runs in the North and South side of the temple forming a Garland to the god.

This place is treated in unision with Thiruninravur,

(i) Both the Moolavars are named Bhaktaraavi perumal.
(ii) Both the places were Mangalasaasanamed only by Thirumangai Alwar.
(iii) Godess Mahalakshmi performed penance and joined Mahavishnu as Abishegavalli as she did in Thiruninravur.
(iv) Both the Vimanas are Utpala Vimanam.
(v) Lord Varuna got special dharsan of god both these places.

These Sapthamirdha Kshetram brings one back the memory of

(i) Naimisaranyam
(ii) Badrinath
(iii) Thiruvarangam
(iv) Thirunindravur
(v) Thirukadalmalai
(vi) Thirukkannapuram and
(vii) Thirukkannakudi

Romasa Maharishi lived in the period known Bharatha kalam explained the story of the king Nalan to Pandavas and made them clear the aspects of the planet Saturn. Here at this place Lord Bhaktavatsala showed himself in person and explained the truth of his presence of Bhaktaraavi perumal here.

History behind the Names:

(i) 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 "Abishegavalli" 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 adn are in his company forever.

(ii) Our human soul is named Jeevatma and the soul of the great god as Paramathma. In every Jeevathma paramathma lays on hidden position. To explain this and to kindle the intrest of every Jeevathma to enclave itself with the Paramathma, 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 diciples he is known as Bhaktaraavi perumal.

(iii) As all know, Lord Krishna is always surrounded by a group of Gobikasthree, the women of Gokulam. But in this place Lord Krishna due to Mahalakshmi's hard penance this place is named after her Kannan's wife (ie) Thiru Kanna Mangai.

Utsavams:
Every year Vaikunda Ekadesi is being celebrated very specially here.

Specials:

• For ages its beleived that to attain mukti or eternal salvation one need not be a schlor of all vedas instead stay at this place atleast for a single night would lead to mukthi.

• The age old bee hive found in the Thayaar sannathi.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this kshetram is Bhaktavatsala perumal. He also known as Bhaktaraavi perumal. The Moolavar is giving his seva in standing posture with his face facing the east. Prathyaksham for Lord Varuna and Romasa Munivar.

Thayaar:

The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Abishegavalli.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai - 14 Paasurams.
  Total - 14 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:
Darshana Pushkarani.

Vimanam:
Utpala Vimaanam.