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Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple

The Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, located in the village of Thirukannamangai in the Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian architectural style, the temple is celebrated in the Divya Prabandha, an early medieval Tamil canon composed by the Azhwar saints between the 6th and 9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. In this temple, Vishnu is worshipped as Bhaktavatsala Perumal, and his consort Lakshmi is revered as Kannamangai Nayagi. The temple is believed to date back to the late 8th century AD, during the era of the Medieval Cholas, with subsequent contributions from the Thanjavur Nayaks.

Timings

Morning : 6:00 AM to 12.00 PM & Evening : 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Entry Fee

No entry fee is charged

When the milk ocean was churned, after the appearance of the Karpaga Tree and Kamadhenu, Mother Mahalakshmi emerged. Enchanted by the beauty of Lord Vishnu, she desired to marry Him and came to this place to perform penance to fulfil her wish. Understanding her intent, Lord Vishnu instructed Vishwaksena to determine an auspicious date for the wedding. He then granted darshan to Mother Mahalakshmi. The wedding was celebrated with divine grandeur in the presence of the Devas, numbering 90 crore (Mupathu Mukkodi).

As Lord Vishnu emerged from the milk ocean for Mother Mahalakshmi, He is praised as Perum Pura Kadal—where "Kadal" means ocean in Tamil. This sacred place is also known as Lakshmi Vanam, in honour of the penance performed by Mother, and Krishna Mangala, reflecting the divine wedding that took place here.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Pray to Your Ishta Devata: Offer prayers to your personal deity before embarking on a pilgrimage to the temple.
  2. Contact the Temple Information Center: For inquiries, detailed temple information, and Pooja arrangements, reach out to the Devasthanam information centre.
  3. Reserve Travel and Accommodation: Arrange your travel and lodging in advance to ensure a smooth visit.
  4. Bathed and Dress Cleanly: Take a bath and wear clean clothes before entering the temple.
  5. Focus on the Deity: Concentrate on the God and Goddess during your time inside the temple.
  6. Maintain Silence: Keep quiet and recite your Ishta Mantra privately within the temple.
  7. Follow Traditions: Observe and respect ancient customs and traditions while at the temple.
  8. Respect Religious Sentiments: Show respect for the religious practices and sentiments of others at the temple.
  9. Deposit Offerings Appropriately: Place all offerings in the designated hundi.
  1. Avoid Non-Worship Activities: Do not visit the temple for purposes other than worshipping the deity.
  2. No Smoking or Alcohol: Smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited within the temple premises.
  3. No Non-Vegetarian Food: Refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food within the temple grounds.
  4. No Mediators for Quick Darshan: Avoid seeking shortcuts for Darshanam through mediators, as it may inconvenience others.
  5. No Weapons: Do not carry any weapons inside the temple.
  6. No Head Covers: Remove head covers like helmets, caps, turbans, and hats before entering the temple.
  7. No Sastanga Pranama in Sanctum Sanctorum: Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the inner sanctum of the temple.
  8. Be Brief in Sparsha Darshanam: Limit the time spent in Sparsha Darshanam within the Garbhagriha.
  9. Avoid Spurious Prasadams: Do not purchase prasadam from unauthorised street vendors.
  10. Do Not Encourage Beggars: Refrain from giving alms to beggars at the temple.
  11. No Spitting or Nuisance: Avoid spitting or creating disturbances within the temple premises.

Dress Code

For Men: Devotees should wear a dhoti, shirt, pyjama, or pants with a shirt. Lungi, bermudas, jeans, and tight leggings are not permitted.

For Women: Devotees should wear a sari, churidar, or pavadai (skirt) with a half-sari. Tight or revealing attire is not allowed.

How to reach

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By Air: The nearest international airport to the temple is Trichy International Airport, located approximately 115 kilometres away.

By Rail: The closest railway station is Nagapattinam, situated around 33 kilometres from the temple.

By Road: Travellers can reach the temple by taking buses or private vehicles from nearby towns such as Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam. Link given below has direction by car/bus from Thiruvarur New Bus Stand to the temple:

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers:

  1. Vettar River: The Vettar River is a tributary of the Kaveri and flows through the Tiruvarur district, near Thirukannamangai. It plays a crucial role in irrigation and local water supply.


Cities:

  1. Tiruvarur: Tiruvarur is the nearest major city to the temple, located approximately 6 kilometres away. It is known for its historical and cultural significance, with several ancient temples and architectural marvels.
  2. Kumbakonam: Located about 40 kilometres from Thirukannamangai, Kumbakonam is another significant city in Tamil Nadu, renowned for its many temples and vibrant religious activities.
  3. Thanjavur: Situated around 60 kilometres from Thirukannamangai, Thanjavur is a historic city famous for its Brihadeeswarar Temple and rich cultural heritage.