The samprokshanam at Annan Perumal Koil near Sirkazhi was performed earlier this month in a grand
manner, with close to 100 Vedic pundits, archakas and prabhandham scholars making it from across the
State to participate in the celebrations. Their strong presence was particularly significant for in the Periya
Thirumozhi verses, Thirumangai Azhwar refers to the vibrancy of this prosperous town emanating from the constant vedic chanting.
He has also sung the praise of this temple. In each of the verses, he refers to the ‘Thiru
Vellakulam’, describing the sacred tank, where he found blooming red lotuses and one that he says was surrounded by rich orchards, fertile fields and flower groves.
As per the legend, Swethan, son of King Dhundhu Maran of the Surya dynasty, who was destined to die
at the tender age of nine undertook penance here to increase his life span. Pleased with his prayers, the Lord appeared before him as Srinivasa at the sacred tank and fulfilled his wishes. Hence this is believed to be a prarthana sthalam for liberation from ‘untimely’ death. Mruthyunjaya homam is a speciality at this temple.
It was also here that Kumudavalli was born (she later married Thirumangai Azhwar). The tank thus praised and with a rich legend has been completely refurbished at a cost of Rs. 22 lakhs. It has new compound walls on all the four sides and a new 16-pillar mandapa has been built in the middle of the tank. Theppotsavam that will come up in a few months time in Puratasi will be celebrated in a grand manner this year.
The Madapalli that had been in a dilapidated condition has been reconstructed. The huge walls of the
temple have been renovated with the height slightly raised
on all the four sides. The three-tier Rajagopuram on the Eastern side has got a fresh coat of paint. The temple complex now has a modern wiring system.
The vahana mandapa that houses all the vahanas has also been renovated. All the vahanas that carry the Lord during the Brahmotsavam have been repaired. Annan Perumal Koil is the only Divya Desam in this region to have both morning and evening vahana procession during Brahmotsavam.
Annan Perumal Koil is one of the 13 Divya Desams in and around Thiru Nangur and is about 10km from
Sirkazhi off the Nagapattinam Highway near Melasalai. The temple is open between 8 a.m.-11.30a.m. and
5.30 p.m.- 8.30 p.m.
Priest’s long association
After completing his Vedic and Prabhandham course in Srirangam in the 1970s, Madhava Bhattar came here in 1979 to perform service.
This is the third big renovation activity for him, having participated in the ones undertaken in 1983 and 1999. He has been the only priest to take care of all sannidhis as well as the conduct of the entire renovation activity for over three decades and has played a stellar role in maintaining the temple.
A special feature at the temple is that he performs a 108 Divya Desam archanai where he mentions the name of each and every Divya Desam Perumal and Thayar.
