Thiruvellakkulam Annan Perumal Temple, Thirunangur

Introduction

The Thiruvellakkulam Annan Perumal Temple is an ancient Vishnu shrine. The presiding deity here is Srinivasan, also known as Anna Perumal, and his consort is Goddess Alamermangai. Annan Perumal Temple is located close to Thirunangur village, near Sirkazhi town, in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. This temple is a Divya Desam, revered by the Azhwar saints in their Divyaprabhandham hymns, and is regarded as a particularly sacred abode of Vishnu. This is also a Thirunangur Tirupathi, one of the 11 Divya Desams lying in close proximity in this region. Saint Thirumangai Azhwar, who also belongs to the Thirunangur belt, has sung hymns on these deities and is closely connected with all these temples. King Swetharaju, who came in the Ikshvaku dynasty to which Lord Rama too belonged, is believed to have worshipped the deity here.

Temple Legends

All the Thirunangur Tirupathi temples share a common legend, and that is linked to Lord Shiva. Sati, Shiva’s spouse, killed herself in the sacrifice performed by her father, Daksha, unable to stand the humiliation done to her husband. The distraught Shiva, not able to bear this terrible loss, carried her corpse on his shoulders and started dancing with uncontrolled rage. While his dance began creating heavy turbulence, every time his disheveled hair touched the ground, 11 new Shiva manifestations started springing up in that spot. Shiva being the God of destruction, this many Shiva forms were sure to wipe out the entire life forms on earth. It was left to the supreme protector Vishnu to check Shiva’s fury and save the universe, and he did so by appearing before Shiva at this place and calming him down. Then Vishnu, too, is said to have taken 11 forms on the request of Shiva, at 11 different places in this area. And these are the 11 Thirunangur Tirupathi temples dedicated to Vishnu.

The Architecture of Thiruvellakkulam Annan Perumal Temple, Thirunangur

This is a small temple with a simple structure that belongs to the Chola architectural style. It has a three-tier Rajagopuram, the entrance tower, a single precinct, and a granite compound wall. Lord Srinivasan or Annan Perumal can be worshipped in the main shrine standing and facing East, while his consort Alamermangai Nachiyar is housed separately. Kumudavalli Nachiyar, saint Thirumangai Azhwar’s wife, is said to belong to this place, and there is a separate shrine for her in the temple. The sacred temple tank lies outside the complex. The Lord being Srinivasan, this temple is often referred to as ‘Then Thirupathi,’ the Tirupathi of South, and its structure too looks somewhat similar to that of the famous Tirupathi temple.

Temple Festivals

Thirumangai Azhwar Mangalasaasana Utsavam is a grand and common festival celebrated in all the Thirunangur Tirupathi temples in Thai (January-February). This festival’s highlight is the 11 Garuda Sevais when the processional deities of all the 11 temples are brought on their Garuda mounts to Thirunangur. Thirumangai Azhwar idol, too, is brought there from Thiruvali-Thirunagari, and his compositions on all these deities are recited with great devotion. The images of Thirumangai Azhwar and his wife Kumudavalli Nachiyar are then carried to all the 11 temples, where the couple pays respects to the respective deities. The annual Brahmotsavam is also celebrated with enthusiasm here.

Benefits of worshipping Thiruvellakkulam Annan Perumal

As Vishnu came to provide relief to Shiva at the time of distress to him, it is believed that this Lord will relieve the pain of his devotees, give them the strength to tide over their difficulties, and help them to live a good life. Some devotees offer Thulabharam, that is, offer some edible items or articles equivalent to their weight, with the belief that this can remove marriage obstacles. Some people also celebrate their 60th, 70th, or the 80th birthdays here.