Thirumangai Azhvaar praises the Lord as ‘Anna'
Sincere prayers at this temple will provide devotees with life security
Away from the hustle and bustle of towns and cities, Annan Perumal Koil Divya Desam is located in a remote place, 8 kms South East of Seerkazhi off the Nagai/Thirukadaiyur road.
In his Periya Thirumozhi verse on Thiruvellakulam, Thirumangai Azhwar praises the temple as one with ‘Huge Walls’. The temple, he says, had a sacred tank where red lotuses bloomed and was surrounded by rich orchards, big lakes, fertile fields and flower groves, giving us an indication that this was once a very prosperous place.
Thiru Nangur seemed centric to this region that is home to 13 Divya Desams close to each other that Thiru Mangai Azhwar in his praise of the Lord of Thiruvellakulam refers to this temple in each of his verses as being in Thiru Nangur.
It
was also here that Swethan was relieved from his ‘death’ curse. Thirumangai
Azhvaar in each of his verses in the Periya Thirumozhi refers to this place as
Thiruvellam ‘Kulam’ pointing to the importance of the tank at this temple.
Legend
Thiru Mangai Mannan wanted to marry Kumudha Valli who belonged to the generation of the Devas. Mangai Mannan is said to have worked with utmost sincerity towards fulfilling each of Kumuda Valli’s conditions to marry him. It is believed that Mangai Mannan finally married Kumudavalli at this place. Hence, there is a separate sannidhi for Kumudha Valli at this temple.
King Dhundhu Maaran, who belonged to the Surya dynasty, had a son Swethan who was destined to die at the tender age of 9. Swethan came here to undertake penance to increase his lifetime. Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared before him as Srinivasa and fulfilled his prayers. Hence, this is said to be a place when one’s sincere prayers will prevent untimely death.
Thirumangai Azhvaar came here, had darshan of the Lord and praised him here as if he has seen Lord Srinivasa himself. His Paasurams also reflect the fact that the Lord is the elder brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa.
Looked at as the elder brother of Tirupathi Srinivasa, it is believed that those who cannot go to Tirupathi can come here and ‘Annan’ is said to fulfill their wishes. Lord here is seen together with the Goddess (Alar Mel Mangai) unlike in Tirupathi where he is seen alone. This is the only Divya Desam where the Perumal and Thaayar have the same names as in Tirupathi.
The Priest at Thiruvellakulam
Madhava Bhattar has been performing service at the temple for nearly four decades having first performed pooja in the late 1970s. He is probably one of the very few Bhattars in Tamil Nadu to perform a 108 Divya Desam Archanai where he mentions the name of each and every Divya Desam Perumal and Thayar in his archanai. This is indeed a very special presentation at a Divya Desam.
Festivals
A Grand Brahmotsavam in Puratasi including Vahana procession
Kaisika Ekadesi/Dwadesi Avathara Utsavam
Theppotsvam in Puratasi
Highlights
Avathara Sthalam of Kumudavalli (who later married Thirumangai Azhwar)
Temple for liberation from ‘untimely’ death
Tank is special here being praised in each
of Azhwar’s Pasurams
Thirumangai refers to the Lord as ‘Anna’
“ Kaliyan Sonna Maalai Vallaaravar Vaanaraguvai Thaamey” shows this Lord as the elder brother.
Quick Facts
Moolavar: Annan Perumal East Facing Standing Posture
Thaayar : Alar Mel Mangai
Utsavar : Srinivasa Perumal
Azhvaar : Thiru Mangai Azhvaar 10 Paasurams ( Periya Thirumozhi)
Time : 8am-1130am and 5pm-830pm
Priest : Madhav Bhattar @94898 56554 / 04364 266534
How to reach Annan Koil
Best to take an auto/cab from Sirkazhi and visit all the Thiru Nangur Divya Desams in one go. It will take about 5- 6 hours. Will approx cost Rs. 800-1000 to visit the 13 temples ( excluding Thalai Changa Naan Mathiyam). Auto
from Sirkazhi will cost Rs. 125 (auto number 98434 28406/ 83443 11927).
Where to stay
It is best to stay at Hotel Sadabishekam in
Vaitheeswaran Koil about 5kms West of here
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