Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Sage Vashista and Lord Krishna - The legend says that the great Sage Vashista made an idol of Lord Krishna (an avatar of lord) out of butter. The butter idol did not melt for many years. The Sage continued worshipping the butter idol of Lord Krishna. The story goes that, Lord Krishna, pleased with Vashishta’s penance, appeared before the Sage in the form of a kid. While the Sage was immersed in thoughts of the lord, Kannan picked up the butter, swallowed it in one go and gave Vashista the run. With Vashista giving him a chase, young Kannan runs through the Krishnaranya Kshetram until he came upon the Rishis, who were undergoing penance here. Thrilled to see Kannan come their way, the Rishis blocked him. Explaining his hurry, Kannan wanted them to ask for one wish. By this time, Vashista too had caught up with the lord and he fell at his feet. The Rishis wanted the lord to provide darshan to other devotees in this same standing posture at this place. Hence this place came to be called Kannangudi.

Pending cases at Kannangudi - Thirumangai and the owner of the plot argued about its ownership. Thirumangai defended himself saying his papers were in Srirangam and that he would come back in a day or two with the papers. Thirumangai never came back and the case is said to have remained pending. Disputes in Thirukannangudi don’t see a quick decision.

Dry Wells at Thiru Kannangudi - A thirsty Thirumangai is said to have walked up to the ladies near the well and asked for water. Having heard about his arguments regarding the ownership of the plot, they were worried that he would fight with them on the ownership of the well and hence refused him a pot of water. An angry Thiru Mangai Azhvaar pronounced a curse stating that the water would not fill up in the well. To this day, wells in Thiru Kannangudi are seen dried up. Even when it fills up, it tastes salty.

Lord quenches Thirumangai’s Thirst - The lord of Thiru Kannangudi is said to have come and presented a tired and thirsty Thiru Mangai with food and water. With Thiru Mangai finishing his food, the lord is said to have disappeared. Left wondering, Thirumangai, on his way back, met a man who seemed like one with conch and chakra but disappeared almost immediately. It is believed that Thirumangai had earlier answered the lord’s enquiry about his background saying he was a vagabond. Hence, the lord is believed to have given him just one quick glimpse of his full vision and then disappeared.

Thirumangai’s praise of the Tamarind tree - Thirumangai Azhvaar who was to build the huge walls of Srirangam temple came to Nagai to pick up the golden statue of Buddha. On his way back, a tired Thirumangai wanted rest and lay under a Tamarind tree at Thiru Kannangudi. Placing the gold in the pit there, Thirumangai asked the tree to wake him up if someone came there. The next morning when the owner of the plot arrived to resume work, the tamarind tree dropped its leaves on Thirumangai to wake up the Azhvaar.