Thirukkannapuram Sri (Neelamegha) Sowriraja Perumal Temple, Nagapattinam

Diety: 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

Neela Megha Perumal Temple or Sowriraja Perumal Temple is a Divyadesam temple in Thirukannapuram, a village in the outskirts of Nagapattinam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple 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 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Neelamegha Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Tirukannapura Nayagi. As per Hindu legend, the presiding deity is believed to have appeared with a wig (called sowri locally) to save a devotee, leading to the name Sowrirajan. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and three of its seven bodies of water. The temple has a seven-tiered rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower and a huge temple tank in front of it. The temple is believed to have been built by the Cholas, with later additions from the Thanjavur Nayaks. Theertham : Nitya Pushkarini Agamam / Pooja : Vaikanasam

Puranic Significance

Many 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.

Beliefs

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.

Special Features

The temple has a seven-tier rajagopuram about 100 ft (30 m) and a vast temple complex measuring 1.5 acres (0.61 ha). The complex measures 316 ft (96 m) from East to West and 210 ft (64 m) from North to South.The second gateway tower, approached from the main gateway, measures 60 ft (18 m). The image of the presiding deity, Neela Meghar, is housed in the sanctum, which is approached through the gateways and the Mahamandapa. The sanctum also houses the image of Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side of Neelameghar, Dandaka Maharishi and Garuda. The metal image of the festival deity, Sowriraja Perumal, is also housed in the sanctum, with four consorts namely Sridevi, Bhudevi, Padmini and Andal. There are also metal images of Santhana Krishnar and Chakrathaazhwar. The temple tank is situated right opposite to the temple

Festivals

13 day Masi Magam Utsav-with 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 SeptemberOctober; 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.

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.