Thirukannamangai

Thirukannamangai is traditionally enumerated as number 14 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.

This divya desam is five miles to the west of the famous pilgrim centre of Thiruvarur in Nannilam Taluk in Tanjore District. It is about 15 miles from Thirucherai and 25 miles from Kumbakonam. The presiding deity here is known as Bakthavatsala Perumal. He is also known as Bakthar Avi Perumal. As the very name signifies the God here is said to have a lot of vatsalya ie. affection towards bakthas i.e. devotees. He is known as"Aavi"that is soul of the Bhaktha. The moolavar is known as Perumpurak kadal. He is seen in a standing posture facing east. The moolavar is nearly 14 feet high and looks very majestic. The moolavar Goddess is known as Tirukkanna Mangai Nayaki, the utsavar Goddess is known as Abisheka Valli. The sthala viruksham of this place is makizha maram. The vimanam is Utpala vimanam. God is said to have appeared here to Varuna and Markandeya rishi. About one mile to the south of this place is Odampokki river and to the north about one mile away is Viruddha Kaveri river now known as Vettaru. The two rivers flowing by the side of this divya desam places it in the same category of divya desams as Srirangam where the river Kaveri encircles the divya desam.

The antiquity of this temple can be inferred from the fact that this is mentioned in the Skanda puranam. The mahatyam relating to this place is mentioned in Padma puranam 5th kandam 81st to 87th adyayams. The sthala purana is reported to have been told by Sutha pauranikar to the rishis residing at Naimisaranyam. This shrine has all the seven essential features of a temple. Hence it is also known as Saptanmrutha kshetram. The essential features are kshetra (locality), theertha (sacred tank), mandapan (collonade), vimanam (tower on the sanctum sanctorum), natiu (river), nagaram (town), aranyam (forest). Literally translated Saptanmuratha.kshetram is shrine of seven nectars.

It is believed that Perumal celebrated his panigrahanam ie. marriage with Goddess Lakshmi after she took her bath in the tank. Hence the kshetram is known as Sri Krishna mangala kshetram and the Goddess is known as Sri Abisheka Valli. As:

Mahalakshmi is said to have stayed in this place, did severe penance, the forest around this place is known as Lakshmi vanam.