Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Tirukannamangai
| Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple | |
|---|---|
  Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple Location in Tamil Nadu | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 10°47′58″N 79°35′13″E / 10.79944°N 79.58694°ECoordinates: 10°47′58″N 79°35′13″E / 10.79944°N 79.58694°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Nagapatnam |
| Location |
Thirukkannamangai, Nannilam |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity |
Perumpurakkadal (Vishnu) |
| Consort |
Kannamangai Nayagi (Lakshmi) |
| Festival deity |
Bakthavathsalan (Vishnu) |
| Festival consort | Abhishekavalli |
| Temple tank | Darshana |
| Shrine | Utpala |
| Poets | Tirumangai Alvar |
| Important festivals | Brahmothsavam Chithrai Month |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Tirukannamangai, 6 km away from Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India on the Tiruvarur-Kumbakonam highway. It is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.[1]
Legend
As per Hindu legend, Varuna, the guardian deity of the west and sage Romasa are believed to have worshipped Vishnu at this place. The beehive in the temple is believed to be devas worshipping Vishnu and in modern times, has special rituals performed for it.[2]
The Temple
The temple[3] has a 5-tier rajagopuram and a vast temple complex. The prime deity, Bhaktavatsalar has an imposing image. The temple tank is situated right opposite to the temple. This shrine is also referred to as Saptamrita Kshetram(seven celebrated elements of nature), referring to seven of its elements such as Vimanam, Mandapam, aaranyam, theertham, kshetram, river and town.
Religious significance
| Pancha Kannan Temples | |
|---|---|
| Loganatha Perumal Temple | Thirukannangudi |
| Gajendra Varadha Temple | Kabisthalam |
| Neelamegha Perumal Temple | Thirukannapuram |
| Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple | Thirukannamangai |
| Ulagalantha Perumal Temple | Thirukkovilur |
The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th– to 9th-century Vaishnava canon, by Tirumazhisai Alwar in one hymn. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.[4]
This temple is one of the Panchakanna (Krishnaranya) Kshetrams. Kannan refers to Krishna, the avatar of Vishnu, while pancha means five and Kshetrams refers to holy places. Four of the five temples are situated in Chola Nadu, in modern times, in the region surrounding Kumbakonam and Nagapattinam and one of them in Nadu Nadu. Krishna is not the presiding deity in any of the temples. The processional deity, Krishna, led to the derivation of the names of these places. There are five similar temples located in North India, called Pancha-dvarakas.[5]
See also
- Divya Desams
- Mangalasasanam by Divyadesam
References
- ↑ 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Pandya Nadu . M. S. Ramesh, Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam.
- ↑ Ayyar, P. V. Jagadisa (1982). South Indian Shrines: Illustrated. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. p. 535. ISBN 9788120601512.
- ↑ Tourist Guide to Tamil Nadu. Sura books.
- ↑ "Sri Bhaktavatchala Perumal Temple". Dinamalar. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
- ↑ T., Padmaja (2002). Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: history, art, and traditions in Tamil Nadu. New Delhi: Shakti Malik. pp. 93–94. ISBN 81-7017-398-1.