A Vishnu temple studded with historical inscriptions

THIRUKANNAPURAM, a village close to Nannilam, is well-known for its Vishnu temple enshrining the main image named Neelamegha Perumal, and the processional deity (utsavamurti) Sowriraja Perumal, after whom the temple takes its name.

- CHITHRA MADHAVAN

This temple is a Divya Desam (sacred place eulogised in the Tamil pasurams (Tamil verses) of the Azhvars or important devotees of Vishnu).

Periazhvar, Andal, Kulasekhara Azhvar, Thirumangai Azhvar and Nammazhvar have sung the praise of this deity. The name Sowriraja Perumal literally means 'Vishnu with long tresses'. According to the Sthala Puranam or traditional story of this temple, it was to save a priest of this shrine from the wrath of a king, that God Vishnu here suddenly sported long hair.

Thirukannapuram is considered one of the five Krishnaranya Kshetrams, the others being Thirukannangudi, Kapisthalam, Thirukannamangai, and Thirukovilur.