Tirukannamangai - Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple

It is in this sacred kshetra, says the sthalapurana that Lord Mahavishnu's wedding ceremony with Mahalakshmi was solemnised with unprecedented fanfare, attended by devamanavas soon after the churning of Ksheerasagara. To be freed from the asurabadha and get immortality, amritapana was the only course left. The crafty devas managed to convince the gullible asuras to the deal of Ksheerasagara madhana for getting ambrosia, the elixir for eternal beatitude. Making Vasuki as rope, Mandhara parvatha as churning rod with Mahavishnu in Kurmarupa bearing the Manthara, on his back, the Herculean task was started. When invaluable things, like Kamadhenu, Vuhchaisrava, Airavatha, Kaustubha, Kalpavriksha started surfacing the Ksheerasagara, they were appropriated by gods in a consummate way, depriving the partners their due share. Soon after the emergence of Mahalakshmi, the phantom of enchanting beauty Mahavishnu's heart started fluttering at her apurvasobha. She too experienced similar passion which manifested instantly in the bloonung of her broad black eyes. She then came to this sacred place. Iord Mahavishnu sent his generalissmo Vishwaksena to arrange for consummation of his ambition. And it was done to the absolute contentment of the three worlds. Thereafter, he settled down here eternally enjoying Mahalakshmi's concomitancy.

According to his ardent wish, a temple was built in the dim past, and a 14 foot-high granite icon, the tallest of all his representations was installed. - The exquisite artistry of the sculptor raises the hands of the viewers at once. The charming icons of Sridevi and Bhudevi in standing posture are exceedingly grand and match the majesty of the archamurti. The Utpala Vimana beautifies the garbhagriha which houses the grand icons of Varuna and Markandeya, who were lifted by Mahavishnu and they are lying opposite each other. In the outer prakara, there are many mandapas elegantly built for Kannamangai Tayar, Andal, Navanitakrishna, Desikar, Kodandarama, Vishwaksena etc, Incidentally, it is one of the five Krishnaranya kslietras housing an excellent icon and his sports depicted well on walls. Yancharatnagama worship is offered-six times a day and annual festivals are celebrated on a grand scale. There are many sacred ponds like Darsana pushkarini, each with a hoary legend.

It lies 7 km off Tiruvarur on the main road to Kumbhakonam, enjoying bus facilities.

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