Thirukannapuram

Located 20kms North West of Nagapatinam (20kms East of Tiruvarur, 30kms South of Kumbakonam and Mayavaram), this is one of the 5 Krishnaranya Kshetrams. Lord Narayana himself re-incarnated as Sowri Rajan at Kannapuram and it is one of the 108 Divya deshams (Cholanadu) .

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Neelamega Perumal. Moolavar is in nindra (standing) thirukkolam facing the East. Utsavar Sowriraja perumal is decoared with false hair and taken out in procession during Brahmotsavam festival
The Lord gave dharshan for Kanva munivar, Garudan, Thandaka maharishi

The Thayaar in this sthalam is Kannapura Nayaki and has a separate sannadhi

Mangalasasanams The temple is revered by the verses of Tirumangai alwar,Perialwar,Aandaal,Kulasekara alwar,Nammalwar


History of Sowriraja Perumal Temple

This is the temple where the Lord showed Vibheeshana, brother of Ravana, his walking beauty. After seeing the sleeping beauty of Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam, Vibheeshna wanted to see the walking beauty of the Lord, upon which he was directed by the Lord to his “Keezh(akku) Veedu’ (Eastern Gateway of the Lord).

Sowri Rajan – An extra growth of hair on the Lord
The legend behind the temple is that once an archahar, (bhattar,priest)called Ranga bhattar, due to poverty, was recycling used garlands to decorate the Lord. Once when the king visited, he noticed a strand of hair in the garland. The angered king asked the priest how a human hair could have got into the garland meant for Narayana. Flustered priest blabbered saying that it was the hair of the Lord Himself. The priest promised the king to show the Lord’s hair the next day. Fearing death penalty, the priest surrendered to the Lord. To save the poor priest Ranga bhattar, Lord appeared with thick hair and gave darshan to the king. Hence he is known as Sowriraja perumal ( Sowri – hair).

In another incident, a devotee named Munaitharaiyar wanted to offer the delicious pongal to the Lord before he would eat it. As it was late in the night, the temple was closed and he could not get in. He stood outside and sincerely imagined of he offering the Pongal to the Lord. Suddenly, there were chimes from the temple bell inside and a fragrance of hot ghee pongal came out of the temple, signifying that the Lord had accepted his offering. Till this day, pongal as nivethyam is offered during the Arthajama pooja ( night pooja) and is called “Muniyodharam Pongal” named after the devotee.

“Om Namo Narayana” is the Thirumandiram and Thirumangai Azhwar was taught by Lord Neelamega perumal itself. This sacred mandiram consists of eight syllables and here Sriman Narayanan is said to live in each syllable and hence this place is also called “Srimathasthakshara Maha Manthira Siddhi Kshetram”.

Here the deity appears as if seeking alms,signifying that He is receiving our hardships on Himself to keep the human kind happy. The Chakra in his hand is Prayoga chakra and appears ready to destroy the evil.