Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Thiru Kanden Pon Meni Kanden
Thigazhum Arukkan Ani Niramum Kanden
Cherukilarum Pon Azhi Kanden
Puri Sangam Kai Kanden
Yen Azhivannanpal Indru
Thiru Kovilur is one of the 108 Divya Desams of
Lord Vishnu located on the river banks of Krishna Bhadra (Pennai river) in
Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu . This is one of
the oldest temples of Lord Vishnu existing from the dates back to Pallava,
Pandya and Chola Dynasties. It is also
known as Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetram famous for its exquisite murals and
architectural work with 192ft majestic Rajagopuram and 20ft height spectacular
idol of Lord Trivikrama. Pancha Krishnaranya
Kshetrams are Thirukkovilur, Thirukkannangudi, Thirukannamangai,
Thirukannapuram and Kapisthalam.
Presiding deity – Lord Trivikrama/Ulagalanda
Perumal with his consort Goddess Poogoval Nachiyar , Utsavar – Ayanar/Gopalan
with Goddess Pushpavalli Nachiyar
Managalasasanam – Peyalwar, Poikai Alwar, Bhoothathalwar
& Thirumangai Alwar, Manavala Mamunigal
Vimanam – Srikara Vimanam
Sannidhis – Goddess Durga, Lord Lakshmi
Narayana, Lord Lakshmi Varaha, Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, Lord Rama, Sri Andal,
Udayavar, Thiru Kachi Nambi, Manavala Mamunigal
Significance – This is one of the 108 Divya
Desams in which the First Three Alwars, Vaishnavaite saints sung praising the
glories of Lord. Poikai Alwar from
Kanchi arrived on this sacred land on one dark rainy night and was offered
shelter at the hermitage of Sage Mrigandu.
The place provided was too small to sleep for a person. Shortly, there arrived Bhoothathalwar from
Mamallapuram with the same request. He
was received passionately by Poikai alwar with the notion that the place would
be quite comfortable for two people to sit.
Soon, there arrived Peyalwar from Mylapore with the similar request and
he was generously received by the other two saints with a comfort that the place
would be perfectly appropriate for three people to stand. These three prominent Saints spent their
whole night standing in a teeny tiny shelter sharing their experiences and
infinite glories of Lord. Instantly they
felt a squeeze amongst them and realized the presence of fourth person. In a
little while they envisioned Lord Vishnu himself present before them. The Alwars were in an ecstasy sung praising
the glories of Lord and these glorious verses were known as ‘Nalayiram Divya
Prabandham’.
Worshipped by – Sage Mrigandu, Sage Parasurama,
Sage Agastya,
The legend has that Sage Mrigandu underwent
severe penance praying to Lord Vishnu.
The most pleased Lord disguised in the form of an old Brahmin and
appeared before him. The Brahmin was too
hungry and requested Sage to serve him with food. Sage Mrigandu instructed his chaste wife to
serve Brahmin with the food.
Unfortunately, there was no grains left in the hermitage and Rishi patni
was distressed at the thought of leaving a hungry old Brahmin without food. She
engaged herself in praying to Lord Vishnu and pleaded for a solution to her
issue. To their utter dismay the entire vessels
were filled with food instantly. The most
delighted couple began to serve the food; surprisingly there stood Lord in his
captivating form. The couple was in
blissful state prayed to Lord to reveal his Trivikrama Avathar and requested to
remain in Thirukkovalur forever.
This temple remains open from 6.30AM to 12.00PM
in the morning and 4.30PM to 8.00PM in the evening.
Contact Person – Sri Kodhandarama Bhattar/Sri
Prakash Bhattar Swamin - 900329798
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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