Annan Perumal Temple

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Annan Koil, a quaint village nestled near Sirkazhi in the Tamil Nadu region of India, boasts a prominent temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known as Annan Perumal Temple. It is revered as the 39th Divya Desam in the Chola region, although some records designate it as the 38th Divya Desam. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of this sacred temple.
Highlights:

  • Tirumangai Alwar has composed hymns about this site in his verses.
  • It is considered as the 39th Divya Desam temple. It is located in Chola region. (As per few records, it is the 38th Divya Desam)
  • The birth place of Kumudavalli Nachiar
  • One of 11 Tirunangur Tirupatis
  • God - Annan Perumal or Kannan Narayanan; Utsava deity - Srinivasan
  • Goddess - Alarmel Mangai; Utsava deity - Poovar Tirumagal or Padmavati
  • Teerth (holy water) - Shweta Pushkarani
  • Sthala Vruksha (holy tree) - Vilva, Parasu
  • Vimana - Tatvat Yodhaga Vimana or Shweta Vimana

Legend:

Shweta

King Dundumaran's son, Shweta, was destined to live just nine years. Sage Vashishtha advised the young boy to bathe in the holy tank of Tirunangoor and fervently chant the Narasimha Mrutyunjaya mantra. For a month, Shweta followed these sacred instructions, and Lord Vishnu, pleased with his devotion, appeared, granting him victory over death. Vishnu also proclaimed that anyone who recites this sacred mantra 8,000 times at this site would be freed from the fear of death. The holy tank came to be known as Shweta Pushkarani in Shweta's honor.


 Tirumangai Alwar

The esteemed Tirumangai Alwar's wife, Kumudavalli Nachiar, was born in this very village.

Tirumangai Alwar lovingly referred to the deity as 'Annan' in his hymns, which is why devotees fondly regard him as the elder brother (''Annan'' meaning elder brother in the Tamil language) of Tirupati Balaji.
Rudra and Manavala Mamuni
It is believed that both Rudra and Manavala Mamunigal were blessed with the divine darshan of Lord Vishnu in this sacred locale.

 Temple Layout:

The east-facing temple boasts a modest three-tiered tower.

Inside, the east-facing sanctum houses the primary deity, Annan Perumal, accompanied by his consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. With four arms, Lord Annan Perumal stands majestically. The temple also houses utsav images of Srinivasan with his two consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, within the same sanctum.

The flagstaff, bali peetha, and a small Garuda sub-shrine all face the primary deity.

Goddess Alarmel Mangai is enshrined in a separate south-facing shrine.

A small sub-shrine dedicated to Hanuman is located near the lotus pond just outside the temple complex.

The temple, though brimming with spiritual significance, is in need of proper maintenance.

Happy travelling.


Location: Annankoil, Tamil Nadu 609109, India

Comments

  1. nanushh70Tuesday, April 05, 2016

    A few pics would have been appreciated !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indian ColumbusThursday, April 07, 2016

      Thank you. But when I visited the temple, the tower was covered as it was due for renovation. So, I couldn't take pictures. As I don't use pictures from any other source, I had to publish the article without pictures.

      Delete

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