Thirukkannapuram Sri (Neelamegha) Sowriraja Perumal Temple, Nagapattinam

Deity: Neela Meghar, Sowriraja(Vishnu) Amman: Kannapura Nayaki
Temple Address: Thirukkannapuram Sri (Neelamegha) Sowriraja Perumal Temple, Thirukkannapuram, Nagapattinam District- Tamil Nadu 609117
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Location: Thirukannapuram, near Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu
Deity Worshipped: Neela Megha Perumal (Vishnu) and his consort Tirukannapura Nayagi (Lakshmi)
Divya Desam: One of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu
Architecture: Dravidian style with a seven-tiered rajagopuram and granite wall enclosing the temple
Theertham: Nitya Pushkarini
Agamam/Pooja: Vaikanasam
Legend: Lord Vishnu appeared as a boy to protect sages and the king Uparisiravasu, defeating the king and later blessing him as Neelamegha Perumal
Puranic Significance: King built the temple with Viswakarma’s help, and Perumal agreed to stay at his request

Beliefs:

People pray for wedding, child boon, beautiful hair, and relief from hair fall
Prayers for prosperity, family welfare, employment opportunities, and health
Lord’s view on Navagrahas (nine planets) removes adverse planetary influences

Special Features:

Rajagopuram: 100 ft (30 m) tall
Temple Complex: 1.5 acres (0.61 ha); 316 ft (96 m) East-West and 210 ft (64 m) North-South
Sanctum: Housed with Neela Megha Perumal, Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Dandaka Maharishi, and Garuda
Festival Deity: Sowriraja Perumal with four consorts – Sridevi, Bhudevi, Padmini, and Andal
Temple Tank: Opposite the temple

Festivals:

Masi Magam Utsav: 13-day festival with Theerthavari in the sea on the 10th day (February-March)
Vaikasi Brahmmotsav: 13-day festival, remembering Lord’s wedding with Padmini Nayaki (Poornima Anusha star day)
Pagal Pathu: 10-day festival during Margazhi (December-January)
Rappathu: Night festival during Margazhi, beginning with Vaikunda Ekadasi
Special Festival Days:
- First day of Tamil months
- Ekadasi (11th day of new moon/full moon)
- Chitra Poornima (April-May)
- Tiruvadipooram (July-August)
- Navaratri (September-October)
- Tirukarthikai (November-December)
- Panguni Uthiram (March-April)
- Deepavali, Makar Sankranthi, Tamil & English New Year days

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Saints and Singers

Andal, Kulasekaraarvar, Thirumangaiyalvar, Nammazhvar, five Alvars have recited a total of 128 verses Sreemanavalamamuni has also performed Mangalasasana.