Sri Sowriraja Perumal Temple,Thirukannapuram

Thirukannapuram, near Thirupugalur, which lies between Nagapatinam, Nannilam and Kumbakonam, is one of the 108 Vaishnava sthalas (Divya Kshetrams). The moolavar’s name is Neelamegam and the utsavar is Savuriraja Perumal.

The idol appears in an unusual posture here in this temple. Instead of blessing the devotees, he appears to be in a receiving posture, meaning that he is accepting the sorrows and difficulties of the devotees.

The utsavar is known as Savuriraja Perumal as he appears with ‘savuri’ (hair) on his head. There is a story related to the ‘savuri’. The temple priest presented a garland, as was the practice, that had adorned the deity, to the Chola king who visited the temple. But the priest had actually given the garland to a dancer attached to the temple, who had arrived before the king.

When the king arrived, the priest, who had no garland to give him, sent for the one he had given to the dancer. The king who received the garland noticed a strand of hair in the garland and became furious. To escape from his wrath, the priest told the king that the Lord had a tuft of hair and that strand of hair was from the tuft. To save the priest, the Lord too appeared with a black ‘savuri’ in front of the king. From that day on, He has been known as ‘Savuriraja Perumal’.

Apart from this, one can see a scar on the utsavar’s right brow. The scar is said to be the outcome of Thirukannapurathu Araiyar’s anguish when the temple walls were demolished by foreigners. In a fit of sorrow, he threw the plate and it struck the idol on his brow and fell. This left a scar on the deity, we are told.

As Tirupati is famous for its ‘laddu’ and Srirangam is famous for ‘payasam’, Thirukannapuram is famous for ‘muniyodharan pongal’. There is a story behind this too. Collecting the tributes and handing it over to the Chola king was the job of Muniyodharar. Once, instead of giving the money to the king, Muniyodharar spent it on some temple work.

This made the king angry and Muniyodharar was imprisoned. His wife was struck with grief and she approached the Lord and said if her husband was not get released within five days, she would jump into the fire and die. The Lord appeared in the king’s dream and ordered him to release Muniyodharar. The king did so. Later, Muniyodhara, when his wife served him ‘pongal’, offered it to God and then ate the delicacy.

The next day, the temple priests were surprised to see pongal rolling down with ghee on the body of the Lord. When they came to know about what had happened and why, they praised and thanked the Lord for his mercy and grace. From that day, it has become a tradition to offer ‘pongal’ to the lord at midnight in this temple.

There is no ‘Swarga Vasal’ for this temple as they say that one can reach ‘Vaikunta’ if they just step on this soil. It is believed that there is a ‘pulling power’ in the sanctum santorum of this temple and even to this day, one can feel and experience this effect.

The devotees offer savuri to the lord when their wishes are fulfilled and one who worships Lord Savuriraja Perumal is granted his/her wishes whether it be a job or promotion or progress in personal life.

Thaayaar - Kannapuranayagi (Sridevi, Boodevi, Aandaal, Padmini).

Theertham - Nithyapushkarini

Mangalasasanam:

Perialwar - 71
Andaal - 535
Kulasekaralwar - 719-729
Thirumangaialwar - 1648-1747, 2067, 2078, 2673, 2674
Nammalwar - 3656 - 3666

Total of 128 Paasurams.

Special Information

Dieties Sourirajan, Kannapura Nayagi
Theerthangal Nithya Pushkarini
Vimanam Udbalavarthaka Vimanam.
Pratyaksham Kanva Maharishi
Mangalasasanam Andal, Kulasekarazhwar, Thirumangaiazhwar, Nammazhwar.
Direction and Posture Standing Posture and East-faced.
Travel Base Thiruvaarur
Access to the temple About one mile south of Thiruppugaloor, near Nannilam Railway Station(on the line of Mayavaram-Thiruvaroor).

Moolavar

The Moolavar of this kshetram is Sri Neelamega Perumal. The Moolavar is giving his seva in the standing posture facing east. Instead of Abhaya Hastham he has Varadha Hastham similar to Kanchi Varadharaja perumal. Also, he has the Prayoga Chakaram, similar to that of Ranganatha perumal of SriRangam. Prathyaksham for Kanva Maharishi, Thandaka Maharishi and Garudan.

How to Get There

This temple lies in the Tanjore district of TamilNadu. It is 4 kms from Nannilam Railway station. From Maayuram we have to go to Thirupugalore and from there by crossing a river Thirukannapuram is at 1 kms distance. Bus facility is provided. But staying facility is not privided well.

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