The Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu in Thirukannamangai, a village in the Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple, built in the Dravidian style, is mentioned in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, an early mediaeval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to the 9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams devoted to Lord Vishnu. Vishnu is known as Bhaktavatsala Perumal, while his consort Lakshmi is known as Kannamangai Nayagi.

The Padma Purana mentions this temple. During the churning of the ocean, Lakshmi emerged and was immediately drawn to the glorious presence of Vishnu.

Story/Legend of the Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple

Varuna, the guardian deity of the west, and philosopher Romasa are said to have worshipped Vishnu here, according to Hindu folklore. The beehive in the temple is thought to represent Devas worshipping Vishnu and has particular rituals done for it in modern times. Shiva is said to defend the temple’s four corners. According to another mythology, when asuras and devas churned the Ocean of Milk, numerous items erupted from it. Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, emerged in the end and was too shy to look at Vishnu. She then proceeded to Thirukannamangai to undertake penance in order to obtain Vishnu’s hand in marriage.

The temple’s festival god is known as Perum Purak Katal because he is said to have left his place to marry her. Lakshmi Vanam, the woodland where Lakshmi conducted her penance, is mentioned in local tradition. The temple tank is thought to have emerged from water drops in Brahma’s hand when he worshipped Vamana, a Vishnu avatar. Skanda Purana and Brahmanda Purana both mention the temple. This temple is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams.

What is Divya Desams– A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples recorded by the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava faith. 105 of the 108 temples are in India, one is in Nepal, and the final two are thought to be in space, in Tirupparkatal and Vaikuntham. They are distributed over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (4), and Uttarakhand (3). Muktinath, Saligramam is Nepal’s sole Divya Desam. The 12 Alvars respect the Divya Desams in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns.

History of Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple

The Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is thought to be of substantial antiquity, having been initiated by the Mediaeval Cholas in the late 9th century CE, with additional contributions from Thanjavur Nayaks at various times. Three inscriptions from the Chola period may be seen in the temple. The temple is surrounded by a granite wall and includes a five-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower). The complex houses all of the shrines, and the temple tank is placed outside the temple’s main entrance.

Architecture of Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple

The Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple features a 5-tiered rajagopuram and a sprawling temple complex. Bhaktavatsalar, the primary deity, has a commanding appearance. The temple tank is located directly across from the temple and is one of the largest temple tanks in the state. Saptamrita Kshetram (seven celebrated elements of nature) refers to seven of its elements, namely Vimanam, Mandapam, aaranyam, tirthas, kshetra, river, and town. The temple’s main entrance faces East, and there is a four-pillared open hall at the entry.

The temple is surrounded by rectangular walls and includes a rajagopuram (temple tower) that is 90 feet tall. On the western side, there is a tiny temple tower. During festivals, the temple’s walls are surrounded by broad streets through which the temple chariot passes. The main images at the temple include a rare depiction of Buddha, Vaikunta Natha, and Vishnu mounted on his eagle mount Garuda. A pillared hall leads to the Kannamangai Thayar shrine, which contains pillars with Nayak architectural representation.

Facts about Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple

• Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located near Tirukannamangai, Tamil Nadu, India, 6 kilometres from Tiruvarur on the Tiruvarur-Kumbakonam route.
• Tirukannamangai is referenced in the Padma Purana, one of Hinduism’s 18 sacred books. Thirumangai Alvar’s Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a 7th-9th century Vaishnava canon, mentions the shrine.
• Bhaktavatsala Perumal is believed to have appeared to marry his consort Lakshmi in the place.
• The temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples mentioned in the book.
• One of the Panchakanna (Krishnaranya) Kshetrams is this temple. Kannan relates to Krishna, Vishnu’s incarnation, while pancha signifies five and Kshetrams are holy locations.
• According to the temple puranam, a drop of water from Vamana’s kamandalam landed here during the Vamana Avataram and became the temple Teertham.
• Chandran, who had an eye issue, bathed in this Teertham and found relief; thus, the Teertham is known as Darshana Pushkarini.
• Worshipping the massive Garudazhvar is considered important at this temple.
• The place gets its name from Kannamangai Andan, a disciple of Nathamuni and a staunch devotee of the Lord.
• There are numerous accounts of gods and Devas gaining benefits from worshipping at this temple, including Chandran, Varuna, and Markandeyar, who achieved immortality by praying here. As a result, this location is known as a mantra-siddhi kshetra.

Famous Festivals In Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple

• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• Chitra Poornima is also a significant occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Akshaya Tritiya is another major festival celebrated in the temple when the festival deity is taken in procession in a Garuda mount around the temple.

How To reach Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu located in Tirukannamangai, 6 km away from Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India on the Tiruvarur-Kumbakonam highway.

By Air: Trichy International Airport is about 114 kilometres away, from where one can take road transport to reach the temple.

By Railway: Kumbakonam town is well connected by numerous trains. It is 7 km northwest of Thiruvarur Railway station.

By Roadways: Tirukannamangai is 5 km from Tiruvarur on the Kumbakonam route. This temple is 40 Km from Kumbakonam.

Also Read – Neelamegha Perumal temple