Thirukkannamangai Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple
Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple at Thirukannamangai is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is traditionally counted as the 16th Divya Desam in the Chola Nadu group.
The temple is located in Thirukannamangai, Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, approximately 6–7 km from Tiruvarur.
Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Bhaktavatsala Perumal, also known in the temple tradition as Perum Purakkadal / Patharavi Perumal. The Divine Mother is worshipped as Abhishekavalli Thayar, with Kannamangai Nayaki also associated with the shrine.
The Moolavar is an impressive standing form facing east, accompanied by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. The official HR&CE history describes the Moolavar as approximately 16 feet tall, making him particularly majestic among the Divya Desams.
A fascinating and entirely unique feature of this temple is a live beehive situated inside the Goddess’s shrine, which is actively worshipped by devotees to this day!
The temple is also:
- one of the 108 Divya Desams
- one of the Pancha Krishna Kshetrams
- traditionally known as Krishna Mangala Kshetram
- associated with Rohini Nakshatra
- traditionally classified as a Rohini Nakshatra Parihara Sthalam
- associated with the Saptamrita / Sapthamirtha Kshetram tradition
- glorified by Thirumangai Alvar in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Darshana Pushkarini. According to lore, during the Vamana Avatar, Lord Brahma washed Lord Vishnu's raised foot with water from his Kamandalam. A drop of that holy water fell here, creating this divine spring.
| Moolavar | Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal |
|---|---|
| Goddess | Sri Abhishekavalli Thayar, Kannamangai Nayaki |
| Tradition | Vaishnavam |
| Nakshatra | Rohini |
| Theertham | Darshana Pushkarini |
| Timings | 7:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM |
Best Time to Visit
The Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May) for the Brahmotsavam, and Aavani (August-September) for Sri Krishna Jayanthi. If you are born under the Rohini star, visiting on your birth star day is highly beneficial.
Why this temple is a Parigara Sthalam
Thirukannamangai is traditionally regarded as the Rohini Nakshatra Parihara Sthalam.
- Rohini is the fourth Nakshatra in Vedic astrology and is ruled by the Moon (Chandra). According to ancient tradition, Chandra Bhagavan, afflicted by a curse, bathed in the sacred Pushkarani at this temple and was relieved of the curse, thereby attaining liberation from its effects.
- As a Krishna Mangala Kshetram (the sacred place of divine marriage), it is profoundly powerful for eliminating marriage hurdles.
- For those born under the Rohini Nakshatra (the birth star of Lord Krishna), this temple acts as a highly auspicious Parihara Sthalam due to the intense "Krishna" vibrations.
- Additionally, praying to the Devas (in the form of bees) ensures that one's prayers are amplified and taken directly to the Lord.
Who should worship?
From a strictly astrological perspective in a Kundli (birth chart), an individual should worship or appease the Moon (Chandra) if any of the following planetary conditions apply:
- Debilitation (Neecha Chandra): The Moon is placed in the zodiac sign of Scorpio (Vrishchika Rashi), where it is at its weakest.
- Dusthana Placement: The Moon is situated in the 6th, 8th, or 12th house (Trik Bhavas) of the birth chart.
- Grahan Dosha (Eclipse Combination): The Moon is conjunct with either Rahu or Ketu in the same house.
- Punarpoo Dosha: If the Moon is conjoined with Saturn, placed in one of Saturn’s Nakshatras, or aspected by Saturn.
- Kemadruma Dosha: There are no planets located in the houses immediately preceding (12th from Moon) and succeeding (2nd from Moon) the Moon, excluding the Sun, Rahu, and Ketu.
- Amavasya Dosha (Combustion): The Moon is conjunct with the Sun (born on a New Moon). The Moon loses its Paksha Bala (strength of phase) when it is too close to the Sun.
- Weak Paksha Bala: Birth took place during the late waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha), specifically from the 8th day (Ashtami) to the New Moon (Amavasya).
- Papakartari Yoga: The Moon is "hemmed in" by malefic planets, meaning there are malefic planets in the houses immediately before and after the Moon.
- Challenging Lordship: The Moon acts as the lord of the 6th, 8th, or 12th house for a specific Ascendant (Lagna)—for example, Aquarius Ascendant (where Moon rules the 6th house).
- Dasha/Bhukti Activation: The native is currently running the Chandra Mahadasha or Antardasha (major or sub-period), and the Moon is poorly placed or afflicted in the chart.
Mantra & Slokam
By Planet — Moon
Chandra Gayatri Mantra
Om Padmadwajaya Vidmahe · Hemaroopaya Dhimahi · Tanno Chandra Prachodayat
By Nakshatra
Om Prajaa Vrudhyai Cha Vidhmahe Vishwa Roopaayai Dheemahi Thanno Rohini Prachodayaath
Parigaram Items
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Raw Rice | Donate |
| Cow's Milk | Abhishekam |
| Silver | Wearing Ornament |
| Natural Pearl | Wearing Ornament |
| White Cloth | Donate |
| White Flowers | Offer to God |
How to perform Parigaram at home
Performing a pariharam (remedy) for the Moon at home focuses on purity, the color white, and devotion to Lord Shiva, who controls lunar energies.
Prerequisites
- Best Day: Monday (Somavaram).
- Time: Evening after moonrise, or morning during Moon Hora (usually the first hour after sunrise on Monday).
- Direction: Face North-West.
- Attire: Clean, white-colored clothing.
Step-by-Step Ritual
- Purification: Take a bath and clean the pooja space thoroughly.
- Deity Setup: Place a picture or idol of Lord Shiva and Parvati. If you have a Chandra Yantra or a specific Navagraha picture, place that as well.
- Lighting the Lamp: Light a deepam (lamp) using pure cow's ghee and a cotton wick.
- Offerings (Pushpam & Naivedyam):
- Decorate the deity with white flowers (like jasmine or white lotus).
- Offer white-colored food items as prasadam. Boiled milk with sugar, rice kheer (payasam), or simple sugar candy (kalkandu) are ideal.
- Chanting (Japa): Sit on a mat and chant the Chandra Navagraha Slokam or Chandra Gayatri Mantra (provided previously) 108 times using a rudraksha or crystal (sphatik) mala.
- Aarti & Prayer: Perform a simple camphor aarti. Pray specifically for mental peace, emotional stability, and the removal of planetary afflictions.
- Charity (Daan): After the pooja, consume the prasadam. As a continuation of the pariharam, offer a glass of milk to your mother, or donate rice/milk to an elderly woman.
Sthala Puranam (Legend)
The principal Sthala Purana of Thirukannamangai is associated with the marriage of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Mahalakshmi.
According to the traditional account, when the Milky Ocean was churned, Goddess Mahalakshmi emerged from the ocean.
After emerging from the ocean, Mahalakshmi wished to unite with Lord Vishnu. She came to this sacred place and performed penance seeking Vishnu as her husband.
The sacred grove where Mahalakshmi is believed to have performed her penance is known as Lakshmi Vanam.
Lord Vishnu came to Thirukannamangai and accepted Mahalakshmi as His consort. Their divine wedding is believed to have taken place here.
Because of this divine marriage, the place became known as Krishna Mangala Kshetram — a sacred place associated with the auspicious marriage of Vishnu and Lakshmi.
Why is the Goddess called Abhishekavalli?
A traditional explanation associates the name Abhishekavalli with the sacred bathing/abhishekam connected with Mahalakshmi's worship before her divine marriage.
The temple tradition also associates the Darshana Pushkarani with the sacred events surrounding Brahma's worship of Vishnu.
The Devas as bees
One of the most beautiful traditions of this temple says that the Devas came to witness the divine wedding.
They were so captivated by the sacred event that they assumed the form of honey bees and remained here.
A traditional beehive associated with this legend has been regarded as a special feature of the Thayar shrine.
Varuna and Romasa Rishi
Traditional accounts also state that Varuna, the deity associated with rain and the western direction, and Romasa Rishi worshipped Lord Vishnu here.
The temple is therefore regarded as a place where Devas and sages received the Lord's darshan.
Thirukannamangai Andan
Another important temple tradition concerns Thirukannamangai Andan, a disciple in the Vaishnava tradition.
He was deeply devoted to the Lord and is said to have spent his life serving the temple and performing devotional activities.
According to the traditional story, he entered the sanctum in the form of a dog while reciting Vedic passages and ultimately merged with the Lord as a Jyoti.
His association with the temple remains commemorated, and his star is traditionally observed as a significant temple occasion.
Parigaram (Remedy)
For Rohini Star Natives: Visiting this temple on your Rohini Nakshatra day or on Wednesdays, taking a dip in the holy tank, and offering Tulasi garlands to the Lord brings massive career and life progress.
For Marriage & Progeny: Devotees must offer Thirumanjanam (holy bath) and present new Vastras (garments) to the Lord and Thayar.
Garuda Worship: The Garuda Bhagwan here is remarkably huge. Walking around (Pradakshinam) the Garuda shrine is a specific remedy for clearing obstacles in job hunting and finding a good life partner.
Beehive Prayers: Bowing down to the mystical beehive in the Thayar shrine is equivalent to taking the blessings of all the celestial Devas.
Who should worship?
- Individuals born under the Rohini Nakshatra.
- Those facing continuous delays in marriage or looking for a harmonious marital life.
- People searching for better career opportunities and job placements.
- Couples seeking the blessing of a child.
What to do when you visit
A good worship sequence is: Gopuram → Garuda → Bhaktavatsala Perumal → Abhishekavalli Thayar → Andal → Ramanuja and other Acharyas → other shrines → Pushkarani → Prasadam
- Bathe or sprinkle water from the Darshana Pushkarini (holy tank).
- Worship the colossal standing idol of Bhaktavatsala Perumal. Take a moment to observe the Utpala Vimanam above the sanctum.
- Visit the Kannamangai Thayar shrine and do not forget to look up and reverently pray to the ancient beehive.
- Offer prayers to the massive Garuda Bhagwan in the outer courtyard.
- Pay respects to Lord Shiva, who is believed to guard this sacred Divya Desam from all four directions.
Before You Visit
The temple is situated in a serene village just 7 km from Thiruvarur town. It usually takes about 1 hour to have a peaceful Darshan. Since it is located right on the Kumbakonam-Thiruvarur highway, you can easily combine this visit with nearby Divya Desams like Thirucherai and Nachiyar Koil. Taxis and autos are frequently available from Thiruvarur.
Special Rituals / Abhishekam
Thirumanjanam is frequently performed for Perumal and Thayar as a thanksgiving prayer. A deeply unique ritual is the special pooja offered to the beehive (the Devas). There is also a special festival dedicated to Thirukannamangai Andan (a devotee who merged with Perumal as a Jyoti in the form of a dog) on the Thiruvonam star day in the Tamil month of Aani.
Learn More
- The Moon controls your mind, thoughts, and emotions. It decides whether you feel peaceful or anxious.
- It represents your mother. It influences her health and how good your relationship is with her.
- It controls the water in your body, blood flow, and sleep. A weak Moon causes colds, sinus problems, and poor sleep.
- It gives you a strong imagination, artistic talents, and good intuition (gut feeling).
Charity / Daana
1. Best Day & Time
- Day: Mondays (Somavaram).
- Time: Preferably in the evening after sunset or during Monday morning.
2. Best Items to Donate
- Raw Rice
- Cow’s Milk
- White Cloth
- Sugar or Sugar Candy
- Silver or Pearl (if affordable)
3. To Whom Should You Donate?
- Elderly women
- Temple priests
- People in need
4. The Most Powerful Dhana
- Because the Moon represents the mother, the best remedy is taking care of your mother. Gifting her items and making sure she is happy is considered the highest form of charity for Chandran.
Key Facts
Favorable / Unfavorable Signs
Own House (Swakshetra): Cancer
Exaltation (Ucha - Highest Power): Taurus
Debilitation (Neecha - Weakest Point): Scorpio
Friendly Signs: Leo, Aries, Sagittarius, and Pisces
Enemy Signs: None. The Moon does not consider any planet as its enemy, though conjunctions with Rahu and Ketu cause eclipses (Grahan Dosha) which are highly unfavorable.
Festivals
Chithirai Brahmotsavam: A grand 10-day festival following the Chitra Poornima (April–May) is the main festival.
Sri Krishna Jayanthi (Janmashtami): Celebrated with immense fervor, as it is a Krishna Kshetram.
Aani Thiruvonam: Honoring Thirukannamangai Andan (June–July).
How to Reach
By Bus: The temple is about 7 km West of Thiruvarur on the Kumbakonam-Thiruvarur highway. You can board any Kumbakonam-bound bus from Thiruvarur and get down right in front of the temple arch (Thirukkannamangai stop).
By Train: Thiruvarur Junction is the nearest railway station. From there, it's just a 15-minute auto or taxi ride.
By Air: Trichy (Tiruchirappalli) Airport is the nearest major airport, around 110 km away.
Nearby Temples
| Temple | Distance |
|---|---|
| Thyagaraja Swamy Temple, Thiruvarur | 7 km |
| Sri Vanchinathaswamy Temple, Srivanchiyam | 10 km |
| Sri Saraswathi Temple, Koothanur | 10 km |
| Sri Saranatha Perumal Temple, Thirucherai | 22 km |
Location Map
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Jyotishacharya S. Sermaraj M.B.A. · HinduPanchangam.in · 04 Sep 2026