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Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

The Thiruvellakkulam Annan Perumal Temple, an ancient Vishnu shrine, is located near Thirunangur village, close to Sirkazhi town in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. The temple's presiding deity is Srinivasan, also known as Anna Perumal, along with his consort, Goddess Alamermangai. As a Divya Desam, the temple holds great significance, having been revered by the Azhwar saints in their Divyaprabhandham hymns. It is also part of the Thirunangur Tirupati, one of the 11 Divya Desams clustered in this region.

Timings

The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

Entry Fee

Free of cost

Origin/History :-


The Annan Perumal Temple, revered in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, is praised by Perialvar, Thirumalisai Alvar, and Thirumangai Alvar. The temple is also mentioned in various 18th and 19th-century publications, including 108 Tirupati Antati by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar. The ruling deity was worshipped by King Svetharaju of the Ikshvaku dynasty. Kumudhavalli Nachiyar, a native of this place, married Thirumangai Alvar, also known as Kaliyan or Kalikanti, a military commander and chieftain who became a saint. Villagers would welcome Thirumangai Alvar with coconuts when he visited and bid him farewell upon his departure. The temple is believed to have been built by the early Cholas and maintained by the later Cholas, with the mandapam being constructed during the Vijayanagara or Nayak period.


Puranic Significance :-



Once, King Swethan, son of Thundu Maran of the Surya dynasty, fearing an early death, sought the help of Maruthuva Maharishi, the son of Lord Surya. The sage instructed Swethan to chant the Mrityunjaya Mantra while sitting under a Vilvam tree on the south bank of the Pushkarani. Lord Narayanan appeared before the king and blessed him with a long life. This sacred site, known as South Tirupathi, is considered equivalent to Tirumala Tirupati, where offerings made to Thiruvenkadamudayan can also be offered here. At Thiruvinnagar, Lord Oppiliappan, along with Goddess Bhoodevi, represents an equivalent form of Lord Varahaswamy and Bhoodevi, akin to Tirumala Tirupati, and as Lord Srinivasa and Padmavathi, as seen in Thiruvellakulam. Lord Srinivasa here bears the qualities of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, symbolising Lord Rama as the elder brother (Annan) of Lord Krishna, thus earning the name Annan.

Having saved King Swethan from his fear of death, Lord Narayanan revealed himself as Varadharajan. As he embodies all the yugas, the temple’s Vimaanam reflects this divine act with the Thathuva Yodhaga Vimanam. The deity here is honoured with the names "Annan" and "Kannan," symbolising elder and younger brothers, respectively, which is why the temple is called Annan Kovil. Additionally, the deity is referred to as Narayanan, linking him to both Sri Rama and Venkata Krishna, who were in search of their consorts, Sita Devi and Goddess Padmavathi, respectively.

The name "Vellakulam" comes from the combination of "Vellam" (flood) and "kulam" (pond), both of which signify water. This name parallels Annan Kovil, and also reflects the association with Lord Rama, Balarama, and Aadhi Vishnu, who are all of white colour, while Lord Krishna is blue, reminiscent of the colour of water. Thus, the name Vellakulam might also be interpreted as related to the white colour ("Vellai") and its symbolic connection to water.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Dress Modestly: Wear appropriate clothing and check dress codes.
  2. Follow Rituals: Adhere to temple customs and participate respectfully.
  3. Show Respect: Be courteous to staff and other visitors.
  4. Be Quiet: Maintain a serene and respectful demeanour.
  5. Keep Clean: Avoid littering and use designated waste areas.
  6. Observe Offering Guidelines: Follow the temple’s rules for offerings.
  7. Check Photography Rules: Follow rules on photography.
  8. Respect Practices: Honor religious traditions.
  9. Participate Thoughtfully: Engage in rituals with respect.
  10. Ask Permission: Seek guidance from temple staff if needed.
  1. Avoid Disrespectful Behaviour: No eating, drinking, or using phones in sacred areas.
  2. No Physical Contact: Do not touch deities or artefacts unless permitted.
  3. Avoid Loud Noise: Keep noise to a minimum.
  4. Respect Restricted Areas: Do not enter off-limits zones.
  5. No Public Affection: Avoid physical displays of affection.
  6. Don’t Bargain: Donations are fixed and given respectfully.
  7. No Unauthorised Photography: Respect photography restrictions.
  8. Avoid Criticism: Refrain from negative comments about practices.

Dress Code

For Men:

  1. Wear: Traditional attire such as dhoti or lungi with a shirt or kurta. In some temples, pants and a shirt are also acceptable.
  2. Avoid: Shorts, sleeveless shirts, and overly casual clothing.

For Women:

  1. Wear: Traditional attire such as sarees, salwar kameez, or churidars. Long skirts or dresses with a modest top are also appropriate.
  2. Avoid: Short skirts, sleeveless tops, and revealing clothing.


How to reach

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  1. By Train: Board a train to Kumbakonam. The journey usually takes around 6 to 7 hours, depending on the train. From the station, hire a taxi or take an auto-rickshaw to the temple, which is a short drive away.
  2. By Bus: Take a direct bus to Kumbakonam. The journey takes approximately 6 to 8 hours, depending on the bus type. From the bus stand, you can take a local taxi or auto-rickshaw to reach the temple.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers :-

  1. Kaveri River: A major river flowing through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, though not extremely close, it is significant in the region.
  2. Vaigai River: Another important river in Tamil Nadu, though farther from this specific temple.


Cities :-

  1. Kumbakonam: A prominent city in Tamil Nadu known for its numerous temples and religious significance, relatively close to the Annan Srinivasa Perumal Temple.
  2. Tiruchirapalli (Trichy): A major city in Tamil Nadu, located not too far from the temple and an important cultural and historical centre.
  3. Thanjavur: Known for its temples and rich cultural heritage, this city is also relatively close to the temple.