Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Annan Koil), Thiruvellakulam
Thiruvellakkulam
Photo: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Considered the elder-brother shrine (Annan Koil) to Tirupati; one of the Nangur Divya Desams.
Sthala Purāṇam
Thiruvellakkulam, popularly called Annan Koil, is a Thirunangur Divya Desam where the Lord is worshipped as Srinivasan or Annan Perumal with his consort Alarmel Mangai (Alamelmangai). Its central legend concerns King Swethan (Swetharaja) of the Surya Vamsa, who was destined to a very short life. On the counsel of the sage Maruthuva Maharishi, son of the Sun God, he performed Mrityunjaya japam beneath a sacred bilva tree on the southern bank of the temple tank; pleased, Lord Narayana appeared before him and granted him long life, like Markandeya, and the Lord's Varada form here commemorates this rescue from death. The temple is regarded as a South Tirupathi, for offerings vowed to Lord Venkataramana of Tirupati may be fulfilled here. The name Annan Koil is explained by the deity uniting the qualities of the elder brother Rama (Annan) and Krishna (Kannan) in one form, while Vellakkulam derives either from vellam (flood or water) and kulam (tank), referring to the sacred pond, or from vellai (white), recalling the white-hued forms of Rama and Balarama. This is also revered as the avatara sthalam of Kumudavalli Nachiyar, the consort of Thirumangai Alvar; when the Alvar visits in procession he is honoured with two turmeric-smeared coconuts, in the custom of welcoming a son-in-law to his wife's home. The vimana is the Tathuva Yodhaga Vimanam and the sacred tank is the Swetha Pushkarini.
Mangalāśāsanam — the Āḻvār pāsurams
The Lord Srinivasan (Annan Perumal) with Alarmel Mangai (Padmavathi) of Thiruvellakkulam is glorified by:
Thiruvellakkulam, popularly called Annan Koil, is one of the eleven Thirunangur Divya Desams near Sirkazhi, where the Lord is worshipped as Srinivasan (Annan Perumal) with his consort Alarmel Mangai. It received mangalasasanam from only one Alvar, Thirumangai Alvar (Kaliyan / Parakala), who glorified it in a single decad of ten pasurams in his Periya Thirumozhi, the fourth centum, seventh decad (Periya Thirumozhi 4.7, verses 4.7.1 to 4.7.10), beginning "kaNNAr kadal pOl thirumEni kariyAy." The decad is composed in the mood of total prapatti (surrender): in nearly every verse the Alvar describes the Lord of Thiruvellakkulam and then closes with a personal plea for the Lord to remove his sorrows and shower grace upon him as His servant ("aDiyEn iDaraik kaLaiyAyE," "aruLAyE"). He repeatedly praises the kshetram as the dhivyadesam Thiruvellakkulam, set within Thirunangur and surrounded by strong fortified walls ("thiNNAr madhiL sUzh"), where Vedic brahmanas of supreme devotion (parama bhakti) reside eternally. This same decad (4.7) also invokes Thiruvengadam (Tirupati), reflecting the temple's living tradition as the "elder brother" shrine (Annan Koil) to Lord Venkatesa of Tirupati. The tenth, signature (phalasruti) verse names the composer as Kaliyan (Thirumangai Alvar), "whose shoulders are stronger than mountains," and promises that those who can recite this garland of ten Tamil verses will join the assembly of the nityasuris in the Lord's eternal abode. Thiruvellakkulam is also revered as the avatara sthalam of Kumudavalli Nachiyar, consort of Thirumangai Alvar, which is why the Alvar's processional image is welcomed here in the custom of a son-in-law visiting his wife's home.
Verses & references (3)
- Oh Lord whose divine form is dark like a vast brimming ocean! O elder one (aNNA) who dwells in the dhivyadesam Thiruvellakkulam, encircled by strong fortified walls, in Thirunangur where the foremost brahmanas, who win victory over their foes in battle, reside permanently! You should mercifully remove the sorrows of me, your servant (for I have no other refuge). — Thirumangai Alvar, Periya Thirumozhi 4.7.1 · source ↗
- O Lord whose divine chest is embraced by Periya Pirattiyar (Sri Mahalakshmi), who abides on the lotus flower! O God of Thirunangur, where dwell Vedic brahmanas whose glory fills the tongues of all the world! O you who reside in Thiruvellakkulam! Crying 'Alas, alas!', be gracious, recognising 'this one is my servant', and shower your mercy upon me. — Thirumangai Alvar, Periya Thirumozhi 4.7.9 · source ↗
- This garland of ten verses was mercifully composed by Kaliyan (Thirumangai Alvar), whose shoulders are mightier than mountains, upon the Lord (Sriman) who eternally resides in the dhivyadesam Thiruvellakkulam, in Thirunangur where brahmanas full of good devotion (parama bhakti) dwell firmly. Those who can recite these verses well will themselves become part of the assembly of the eternal celestials (nityasuris). [Phalasruti verse, confirming the decad of ten pasurams and naming the Alvar.] — Thirumangai Alvar, Periya Thirumozhi 4.7.10 · source ↗
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