Here is a writeup of Stalapuranam about Thirukannamangai, one among the 108 Divya Desams, written by Sri U.Ve.Vidwan Egai VedantaDesika Thatacharya Swami
Thiru Kannamangai Bhaktavatsalam Divya Desam is located about 25kms South of Thirucherai Divya Desam on the Kumbakonam-Thiruvarur road between two rivers – OdamPokki in the South and Virutha Cauvery in the North.
The Story
Goddess Lakshmi performed penance here to attain the Lord. It is believed that Thirupaarkadal Lord called in his security Vishwakshena and asked him to suggest a good day for their wedding. Legend has it that all the Devas congregated here to witness the wedding. They were so overwhelmed on seeing the Lord and Goddess Lakshmi together that they took the form of bees and decided to stay here ever after. To this day, one can find the bees in the Thaayar Sannidhi – a unique feature of this Divya Desam.
Krishna Mangala Kshetram
As Lakshmi’s wedding took place here at Thiru Kannamangai, this place is called Krishna Mangala Kshetram.
Special sculpture of Vaikuntanathan and ‘Vishnu on top of Garuda’ is a feature here. Chandran is said to have been relieved of his curse (by Devas) after his prayers to the Lord here.
The Nayak kings are said to have renovated the temple in the 17th century.
Azhvaar Praise
Says Thirumangai:
“பெரும்பு றக்கட லையட லேற்றினைப் பெண்ணை யாணை,எண்ணில் முனிவர்க்கருள்
தருந்த வத்தைமுத் தின்திரள் கோவையைப் பத்த ராவியை நித்திலத் தொத்தினை,
அரும்பி னையல ரையடி யேன்மனத் தாசை யை அமு தம்பொதி யின்சுவைக்
கரும்பி னைக்,கனி யைச்சென்று நாடிக் கண்ண மங்கையுள் கண்டுகொண் டேனே.”(1638)
Quick Facts
Deity : Bhaktavatsalam -Standing Posture facing East
Goddess : Kannamangai Nayagi
Utsavar : Perum Pura Kadal
Utsav Goddess : Abhisheka Valli
Azhvaar : Thirumangai Azhvaar (14)- 1638-47,1848,2008,2673(71),2674(116)
Temple timing : 730am –1230pm and 5pm-830pm
Contact number: 04366 278070
Place to Stay : Thiruvaarur
How to reach Thiru Kannamangai
One can take a bus from Kumbakonam via Tirucherai. One can also reach Kannamangai from Thiruvarur (about 7 kms West of Thiruvarur). From Mayavaram, one can take the Tiruvarur road to reach Thiru Kannamangai
