Many many years ago , a chieftain, Munayadarayan by name, was ruling this Nagapattinam region .
He used to honour his food only after praying to Lord Sowri Raja Perumal of Thirukannapuram and due to his devotion spent all his wealth in the service of the Lord . For defaulting tax payment to the king, he was arrested.
The Lord appeared in the dream of the king and ordered him to release Munayadarayan immediately. When the chieftain returned from the custody at night, his wife served him Pongal .
As usual he offered it to the Lord at the temple .But the temple doors were closed .He became sad and so he offered the prasadam through his manasika pooja and then honored the prasadam.
Next day,
when the priest opened the temple, they found the pudding on the lips of the Lord Sowri Raja Perumal.
The king also was surprised to see the Lord accepting the Pongal offered by the chieftain. Now, Pongal is offered to the Lord during the night puja and this is called Munayadarayan Pongal.
The custom of offering Pongal as done by the chieftan continues still.
Thirukannapuram” is the abode of Sri Sowri Raja Perumal.
Once a year, on the occasion of Maasi Magam, the Lord is taken on a procession to the sea shore near Karaikal, about 20 kms from here.
Lord Sowriraja perumal is seen with prayoga chakkra in his hands. The place is considered as Bhoolokha vaikundam.
This Vaishnava Divya desam temple is located on the Kumbakonam / Mayavaram-Nannilam-Nagapattinam route.
One has to get down at Thiru Pugalur and take auto (2kms).
The temple can also be reached directly from Thiruvarur.
The temple has a 7-tier rajagopuram and a vast temple complex.
The Nithya pushkarini just in front of the Temple is so vast that it looks more like a large lake..
This is the temple where the Lord showed Vibheeshana, brother of Demon king Ravana, his walking beauty.
After seeing the sleeping beauty of Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam, Vibheeshna wanted to see the walking beauty of the Lord, upon which he was directed by the Lord to his “Keezh(akku) Veedu’ (Eastern Gateway of the Lord). It is believed that Lord Vishnu displayed his ‘walking beauty’ to Vibheeshana here on the new moon day. To mark this event, on every Amavasya day at 12noon, Lord SowriRajan is carried out of the Sanctum and walks to the Vibheeshna Sannidhi.
Adiyen Ramanuja dasan
Pics courtesy : Google images
Even though we belong to Kadambankudi a small village near Thirukannapuram, I was not aware of such loving pastime of Lord Sworiraja Perumal🙇🏻♀️✨🙏Excellent pics to match the description 🙇🏻♀️Enjoyed reading it and shared in our family group for other members to know also🙏
Hari Om!
Background Photo too illuminating reflecting,” En Amudinaik kanda Kangal Maronrai Kaanaavae…” Thanks Varadan.
Munayadarayan submitted all his wealth to the Lord! This reminds one of the 18 steps by Acharya Ramanuja to Tirukottiyur.4th attempt has to be taken for the birth of Atma Gnana & done. This led to the 5th attempt which led to the hatredness of Ishwarya Bhogam. Munayadarayan has reached this stage & induces we Devotees too to make the attempt indicating its Ephemeral nature.
-Adiyen Ramanuja Dasyai
Reblogged this on kazhiyur varadan's blog and commented:
After seeing the sleeping beauty of Vishnu as Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam, Vibheeshna wanted to see the walking beauty of the Lord, upon which he was directed by the Lord to his “Keezh(akku) Veedu’ (Eastern Gateway of the Lord). It is believed that Lord Vishnu displayed his ‘walking beauty’ to Vibheeshana here on the new moon day. To mark this event, on every Amavasya day at 12noon, Lord SowriRajan is carried out of the Sanctum and walks to the Vibheeshna Sannidhi.