039. Thiru Vellakkulam (Annan Kovil) - Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple, Seergazhi

About the Temple & Location:

This temple lies in Thirunaangur of Tanjore district in Tamil Nadu. It's about 7 miles away from Seerkazhi and is near to Thirunaangur. Transport facilities are not provided.

Sthala Puranam:

Once there was a king named Swethan, the son of Thundu maran of the Surya dyansty. Fearing early death he sought the help of "Maruthuva Maharishi", the son of Lord Surya the sun god. He instructed swethan to chant the "Mrithyunjaya Manthiram" by sitting under the Tree vilvam which was on the south bank of the pushkarani. Lord Narayanan presented himself before the king and blessed him with a long life.

This Kshetram is known as South Tirupathi. All the offering in due to the Thiruvenkadamudayan of Tirupathi can be offered here too.

At Thiruvinnagar, Lord Oppiliappan blesses along with Goddess Bhoodevi as an equivalent form of Lord varahaswamy and Bhoodevi as Tirumala Tirupathi. Also as an equivalent form of Lord Srinivasa and Padmavathi Thaayar, the Lord blesses us as Thiruvellakulam as Lord Srinivasa and Padmavathi.

As for the above stated reasons, both the Kshetrams are considered in equivalent with Tirumala Tirupathi.

Lord Srinivasa at Vellakulam has the qualities of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. As lord Rama is the elder brother - Annan of Lord Krishna. So Lord Srinivasa bears the name Annan here.

As he saved the king Swethan from the death fear he shows himself as Varadharajan. So as the perumal stands as form representing all the yugams the Vimaanam too has a hint of this act as Thathuva Yodhaga Vimaanam.

The perumal thus has the names of elder and younger brother namely "Annan" and "Kannan". Hence this temple is known as Annan Kovil. Also it is to be noted that the perumal is also called as Narayanan. Thus this name acts as a bridge between the similarity of Sri Rama and Venkata Krishna - Thiruvenkadamudayan for both of them were in search of their wives Seetha devi and Goddess Padmavathi respectively.

Vellam means flood and kulam means pond. Both the terms represent water only. As like Annan Kovil, this place has got its another name "Thiru Vellakulam" from the above similarity. It can also taken that Lord Rama, Balarama and Aadhi Vishnu are all of white colour. Lord Krishna is of Blue colour the colour of water in ponds and tanks. Taking Vellam as Vellai White colour it can also be said that the name Vellakulam was got by the above reason.

Specials:

1. This Divyadesam is known as "South Tirupathi". All the offering in due to the Thiru Venkadamudayan of Tirupathi can be offered here too.

2. This sthalam is the avathara sthalam of Kumudhavalli Naachiyaar (wife of Thirumangai Alwar).

3. Whenever Thirumangai Alwar comes to this sthalam, he was given two coconuts smeared with turmeric powder. There is a great custom involved in this issue. (ie) whenever son-in-law comes to his wife's place, he would be offered and greated along with the coconuts. Since, Thirumangai Alwar married Kumudhavalli Naachiyaar, he is offered along with two coconuts.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this Divyadesam is Sri Srinivasan. Also known as Kannan, Narayanan and Anna Perumal. He is giving his seva Nindra (Standing) Thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards eest direction. Prathyaksham for Ekadesa Rudhirar and Swetha Rajan.

Thayaar:

The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Alarmel Mangai Naachiyar. The Utsavar Thaayar is Padmavathi. Also known as Poorar Thirumagal.

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangaialwar - 10 Paasurams.
  Total - 10 Paasurams.

Pushkarani:
Thiru Vellakulam.

Vimanam:
Thathuva Yodhaga Vimaanam.