Thirukannapuram Divyadesam Sowriraja Perumal Temple is located 30 KM from Kumbakonam on the way to Thiruvarur, One among the Five Krishraranya Kshetrams. The remaining four are Thiruvikrama Perumal Temple in Thirukkovilur, Loganatha Perumal Temple in Thirukkannagudi, Gajendra Varadhan Temple in Thirukavithalam and Neelamegha Perumal Temple in Thirukannapuram. Sowriraja Perumal can be worshipped along with Sree Andal on His left side and Padmini on His Right side During Vaikasi Month Festival, on the 7th day Lord Maha Vishnu blesses the devotees in all His 3 forms - Trimurthy Swaroopam. The Whole Day as Lord Maha Vishnu and as Lord Brahma in the Whole Nigtht and dharshan as Lord Siva in Next Day Morning

Thirukannapuram - Where the Almighty Showed His Walking Beauty to Vibheeshanan

Moolavar is blessing in His Unusual Posture here, instead of blessing the Devotees, Almighty appears to be in Receiving Posture, meaning that He accepts the sorrows and difficulties of the devotees here in Thirukannapuram. There is no Swarga Vasal for this temple and it is believed that One Can Reach Vaikundham, if they just step into this Divyadesam. Thirukannapuram is also being worshipped as Srimadha Shadakshra Maha Mantra Siddhi Kshetram. Thirumangai Azhwar was taught Thiru Manthira Upadhesam by the Almighty Himself here in Thirukannapuram. It is the temple where Almighty showed His Walking Beauty to Vibheeshanan, Younger Brother the Demon Ravanan, as he requested. Once Vibheeshanan had a splendid Darshan in Srirangam. Delighted by seeing the Sleeping Beauty of Aranganathar in Srirangam, he also wanted to see HIS Walking Beauty. He prayed and requested HIM for that to Aranganathan. BY accepting his request the Almighty asked him to go to Keezhai Veedu ( Eastern gateway of Lord Maha Vishnu) Thirukannapuram. Vibheeshanan came down and worshipped here got His Prathaksham and enjoyed the walking Beauty of the Almighty on a New Moon Day. To mark this event, even now On Every New Moon Day, Moolavar Sowirirajan is being carried out of his sanctum to Vibheeshanan inside the temple. Among 108 Divyadesams of Arangan Thirukannapuram is worshipped as Keezh Veedu- Eastern Gate where as Srirangam is Mel Veedu - Western gate, Tirumala Tirupati in Andhrapradesh is Vadakku Veedu - Northern Gate and Azhagarkoil in Madurai is being worshipped as Therku veedu - Southern Gate. Moolavar Neelameghap Perumal is blessing with Prayoga Chakra.

The Legend for the Name - Sowrirajan

Sowrirajan means the Lord with an Extra Hair. Once there was a devoted priest named Ranga Bhattar, of Lord Paranthaman serving the Almighty here in Thirukannapuram. On those days, there was a custom that, every day the Ruling King will send a garland to the temple. The priest will adorn the same to the Almighty when the King comes for darshan and give him back the garland. One day garland did not reach the temple on time. The priest was frustrated as the time of King's Darshan nears. Suddenly he took the flowers from his wife and made as a Garland to the Almighty. Once the poojas were over, the garlnad was given back to the King. When the King returned to his palace noticed that a long hair in the garland, which would be of a woman’s. He asked about this to the priest. The tongue-tied priest with no other go told the King that it would be of Lord Vishnu’s Own Hair as he was seeing Him everyday with a Long Hair. King was surprised as he knows well that there is no long hair for the Almighty as he is seeing Him everyday. He asked the priest to show that tomorrow. Astonished priest prayed the Almighty to save him from the King’s anger. To save HIS devoted priest, next day when the king came, Almighty gave Darshan with a Long hair. By then the He is being worshipped as Sowrirajan. Sowri means an Extra Hair in Tamil.

Muniyotharan Pogal in Artha Jama Pooja

Once there was a devotee named Muniyotharan, lived near to the temple. He used to have his dinner only after offering food to the Almighty. One day he went out his place and returned very late. By that time temple was closed. He was then able to offer the food to the Almighty only from outside. Being felt very sad he had done so with Pongal, a Sweet Rice . The Next Day when the Preist opened the temple doors, to a big surprise, the whole temple was smelt of the sweet Pongal and there was a little bit of pongal in the mouth of Almighty. To mark this incredible event, since then a Sweet Pongal named Muniyotharan Pongal is being offered to the Almighty in Artha Jama Pooja only here in this temple.

The Almighty With Sree Andal and Padmini Either on His Sides

Once there was a King named Uparisaravasu performed Ashwamedha Yaga and got blessed with a female child, who was named as Padmini. As grew up, she meditated here in this temple to request the hands of Paranthaman as her life partner. Sowrirajan was happy with her devotion and dedication. He thought of fulfilling her wish. One day the King had a situation to fight with some of the Rishis who were having Tapas. Rishis sought the help of Lord Maha Vishnu. HE as a 16 year old boy appeared and destroyed the soldiers of King. Finally the King threw his Vishnu Ashthram, which went around the boy and fell down on his feet. The King realized he is None Other than the Almighty. Feared King begged for apologies. Pleased Paranthaman gave His blessings and married his daufghter Padmini. Thirukannapuram Sowriraja Perumal can be worshipped along with Sree Andal on His left and Padmini on His Right side.

Three Forms of Narayanan - Trimurthy Swaroopam

During Vaikasi Month Festival, on the 7th day Lord Vishnu blesses the devotees in all His 3 forms - Trimurthy Swaroopam. The Whole Day as Lord Maha Vishnu and as Lord Brahma in the Whole Nigtht and as Lord Siva in Next Day Morning, which is an Unique feature of Thirukannapuram. Once a year, on the occasion of Maasi Magam, the Almighty is being taken on a procession to the sea shore near Karaikal. Sree Manvala Mamunigal stayed here nearly for an Year to worship and praise the Almighty. Thirumanjanam is being performed for Utsavar only once in a year and the remaining days only Padha - Pooja is being performed. The temple is one among the Eight Mukthi Kshetrams. Others are Sreerangam, Tirumala Tirupati, Sreemushnam near Cudddalore, Thothadhri near Tirunelveli, Salakramam in Nepal, Badrikasramam and Naimisaranyam. By taking the Holy bath here, devotees would be free from the diseases and the temple's Utpaalavarthaga Vimanam can not be worshipped while coming around temple Pragaram.