Thiru "Kannapuram Sellungal ~ Kavalai ellam Marappeer"....

I have recently posted about the Bhagwad Vishaya Kalakshepam – more particularly   “Sarrumurai discourse of Thiruvaimozhi – Onbatham Pathu – Patham Thiruvaimozhi [9th canto – 10th set verses] – “Maalai Nanni Thozhuthu Ezhumino”……. Of Sri U.Ve. (Dr.) MA Venkatakrishnan Swami at Thirukannapuram Divyadesam. 

 ‘Thirukannapuram” –  is the abode of Sri Sowri Raja Perumal.   The Neelamega Perumal temple situated near Nannilam on way to Nagapattinam from Mayiladuthurai is a big imposing temple with a beautifully made pond (Thirukulam).   From Mayavaram (Mayiladuthurai) as we travel towards Nagapattinam, there is Thirupugalur from where one needs to travel in – for less than 2 km for reaching the temple, which is around 4 miles from Nannilam railway station.  The temple has a 7-tier rajagopuram and a vast temple complex.  Thiru Kannapuram is reverred as one amongst the five Krishnaranya kshetrams  -  with Therazhundur,  Tirukkannangudi, Thiru Kapistalam, and Thiru  Kannamangai. The Nithya pushkarini just infront of the Temple is so vast that it looks more like a large lake… it is neat and clean and a bathe here would cleanse our soul. 

Swami Nammazhwar in this canto describes the beautifully fortified temple mentioning in verses the ramparts of the temple variously as : “ வேலைமோதும் மதிள்சூழ் (கடலலை மோதப் பெற்ற மதிளாலே சூழப்பட்ட); வெள்ளியேய்ந்த மதிள்சூழ்; வானையுந்து மதிள்சூழ்;  அரணமைந்த மதிள்சூழ்; நன்பொனேய்ந்த மதிள்சூழ் ; மணிபொனேய்ந்தமதிள்சூழ்; ” *  As we would know, a defensive wall – also called rampart – is a fortification used to protect a city or settlement from potential aggressors. In ancient to modern times, they were used to enclose settlements. Beyond their defensive utility, many walls also had important symbolic functions — representing the status and independence of the communities they embraced. Existing ancient walls are almost always masonry structures ~ one can think of its pristine looks, going by the descriptions of Swami Nammalwar centuries ago, which has stood the test of time and look imposing today too. 

The Moolavar here is : Sri Neelamega Perumal (also called Sowrirajar) in a majestic  standing posture facing east. Instead of Abhaya Hastham, He has Varadha Hastham similar to Kanchi Varadharaja perumal.  The Perumal who gave darshan here to Kanva Mahirishi, Thandaka Maharishi and Garudazhwar has Prayoka Chakkaram.  His consort is Thiru Kannapura Nayaki. Alongside Uthsavar is Ubaya Nachimar [Sri Devi & Bhuma Devi] Andal and Padmini Nachiyar, the daughter of the local chieftain, who married Him.  The Uthsavar strikes a post of seeking hands for marriage and sports ‘sowri’ [hair] ~ thus the Kingly  Lord sporting ‘sowri’ ~ Sowri Rajan.  Going by the description of Azhwar, the sea in those days could have been much closer but probably moved inside and away over the centuries. 

இல்லையல்லல் எனக்கேலினியென்குறை*

அல்லிமாதரமரும் திருமார்பினன்*

கல்லிலேய்ந்த மதிள்சூழ் திருக்கண்ணபுரம்*

சொல்ல நாளும் துயர் பாடுசாராவே.*

Swami Nammazhwar says that he has no despair whatsoever as he lacks nothing ….. he guides to praise the Lord at Thirukannapuram who has Sri Lakshmi (the God sitting on Lily / Lotus) and for those of us singing paeans on this Lord, there can never be despair ~ it will not even come closer !

Here are some photos of the divyadesa Perumal during Brahmothsavam -  [photos courtesy my friend Sri Thirukannapuram Araiyar Venkata Varadhan Swami]

Adiyen Srinivasadhasan.