Thiruvellakkulam also known as Annan Perumal Temple or Annankoil is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu in Thirunangur, a village on the outskirts of Sirkazhi in 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 Vishnu, known as Annan Perumal, and his spouse Lakshmi, known as Alamermangai. It is one among the eleven Divya Desams of the Thirunangur Tirupatis and is closely associated with Thirumangai Alvar.

Story/Legend of the Annan Perumal Temple

The legends of Thirunangur’s eleven temples are inextricably linked. According to tradition, the Hindu god Shiva began dancing in rage at this location following the death of his consort Uma as a result of Daksha’s yajna (sacrifice). Eleven additional incarnations of Shiva appeared whenever his lock of hair hit the ground. The celestial deities were concerned that if the dance continued, entire creations might be decimated. They appealed to Vishnu for assistance, who appeared at this location.

Shiva’s rage subsided when he saw Vishnu, and he asked Vishnu to appear in eleven forms like him. Vishnu came in eleven various avatars at Tirunangur at his request. The eleven places where Vishnu appeared are believed to be where the eleven temples in Tirunangur are located. 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 Annan Perumal Temple

The Annan Perumal Temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Perialvar, Thirumalisai Alvar and Thirumangai Alvar.  The temple is mentioned in various publications from the 18th and 19th centuries, including 108 Tirupati Antati by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar. The ruling god is said to have been worshipped by King Svetharaju of the Ikshvaku dynasty.

Architecture of Annan Perumal Temple

The Annan Perumal Temple has a three-tiered raja gopuram and is surrounded by a rectangular granite wall. The temple tank is placed just across from the gateway tower. The temple complex includes a single prakaram (temple precincts) with shrines for Perumal, Manavala Mamunigal, Nachiyar, and Nammalvar. Thirumangai Alvar’s wife, Kumudavalli Nachiar, was discovered here and has her own temple. It is near Thirunangur, a small village 8 kilometres east of Sirkali on the way to Thiruvenkadu. The temple is also known as Ten Tirupati (Southern Tirupati) and shares the same structure as Tirupati. The temple’s most recent Samprokshanam was held in October 2016.

Facts about Annan Perumal Temple

• Annan Perumal Temple is located close to Thirunangur village, near Sirkazhi town, in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu.
• Thiruvellakulam Divya Desam, also known as Annakoil, is the birthplace of Kumudhavalli Nachiyar, Thirumangai Azhwar’s consort.
• The only Divyadesam where Thirumangai Azhwar praised the almighty was Annan Perumal.
  
• The temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.
• Swetharaja, the son of Thunthumaran of Surya Vamsa, had a short life at first but was later granted by Lord Srinivasa a long life, like Markandeya. He went to the temple, bathed in Swetha Pushkarani, began doing Mrutyunjaya Japam under the Vilva tree, and was blessed.
• This is the avatharastlam (birthplace) of Sri Kumudha Valli Nachiyar, the one who was instrumental in converting King Thirumangai to Thirumangai Azhwar.
• Lord here is seen together with the Goddess (Alar Mel Mangai) unlike in Tirupathi where he is seen alone.
• This is the only Divya Desam where the Perumal and Thaayar have the same names as in Tirupathi.
• As Vishnu came to soothe Shiva’s distress, it is thought that this Lord will relieve the agony of his worshippers, give them the power to overcome their obstacles and assist them in living a decent life.
• Lord Vishnu granted darshan to great scholars and Acharya Sri Manavala Mamunigal in this temple.

Famous Festivals In Annan Perumal Temple

• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a major 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.
• The Thirumangai Alvar Mangalasasana Utsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (January–February).
  

How to reach Annan Perumal Temple

Annan Perumal Temple is located in Thirunangur, a village on the outskirts of Sirkazhi in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu.

By Air: Trichy International Airport is about 150 km from the temple.

By Railway: Sirkazhi railway station is only about 8 kilometres from here.

By Roadways: Devotees can travel from towns like Sirkazhi or Mayiladuthurai by bus or private vehicles, to this temple.

Also Read – Govindaraja Perumal Temple Chidambaram