108 Divya Desams !! Thirukkannankudi Sri Lokanatha Perumal Temple !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!



Thirukkannankudi is one of the 108 Divya desams of Lord Vishnu known as Krishnaranya Kshetram/Pancha Krishna Kshetram located 8km west of Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu.  Pancha Krishna Keshtrams are Thirunarayur, Thirucherai, Thirukkannamangai, Thirukkannapuram and Thirukkannankudi. 



Presiding deity – Utsavar -  Sri Damodhara Narayana Perumal, Moolavar - Sri Lokanatha Perumal with his consort Moolavar -  Goddess Sri Lokanayaki Thayar, Utsavar – Sri Aravinda Nayaki



Pushkarani – Sravana Pushkarani



Mangalasasanam - Thirumangai Alwar



Vimanam – Uthpala Vimanam



Worshipped by – Sage Vashista, Lord Brahma, Deities



Prathyaksham to – Rishis, Sage Brighu, Lord Brahma, Thirumangai Alwar



Sthalavruksham – Magizham Poo (Sapotaceae)



Festivals – Vaikundha Ekadashi



The legend has that Sage Vashista worshipped Lord Krishna with utmost devotion; he made a beautiful statue of Lord out of butter.  His devotion and love towards Lord was so intense therefore the idol of Lord Krishna made of butter remained so solid and strong.  In order to test the devotion of Sage Vashista, one day Lord Krishna disguised in the form of a mischievous child and gulped down the statue made of butter.  Sage Vashista was baffled and began to chase the child who was dashed out of his sight swiftly moved to this sacred land. Thirukkannankudi was one of the sacrosanct and tranquil places where Rishis and Sages worshipped Lord.  At once, they realized the presence of Lord in the Magizham tree positioned here. They earnestly prayed to Lord to remain in this holy land forever, Lord Lokanatha fulfilled the wishes of Sages and decided to reside on this sacred place.  Finally, this playful sweet little child settled in Thirukkannankudi permanently.  Soon, Sage Vashista who was chasing the child realized that the mischievous little one was none other than Lord himself.    



Another interesting myth attached to this temple was Thirumangai Alwar on his way from Sri Rangam arrived in Thirukkannankudi.  He was so tired of thirst and hunger, rested under the Tamarind tree situated here.  Before dozed off to sleep, he safely kept the gold coins on a pit under the tree and instructed the tree to wake him up if anyone turns around.    On the next day when the owner of the land arrived on the spot, the Tamarind tree started to shower leaves on him and woke him up. 



Thirumangai Alwar was so thirsty, he moved closer to the well situated here.  He found ladies carrying water from the well.  When Thirumangai Alwar asked for water, the ladies gathered were refused to give him.  Thirumangai alwar was in an anger put a curse on them.  Due to the curse the well remained dried all through the years and in case of any water clogged in was remained unfit for use.  At last, Lord himself disguised into a hobo and appeared before Alwar and served him with food and water.    



Contact Person – Sri Balaji Bhattar & Sri Sathyanarayana Thirthakarar -0435 2441016/0435 200344,
Sannidhi Street,
Thirukkannankudi Post,
Nagapattinam District.



This temple remains open from 6.00AM to 12.00PM in the morning 5.00PM to 8.00PM in the evening.

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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