|
 In
the Divya Desam Thirukannapuram a special venn pongal is offered as
neivedhyam called Muniyodharam pongal. There is a legend behind it.
A devotee named Muniyadharayar worshipped and offered neivedhyam to
the Lord everyday. One day, he went out and returned home very late
at night. He felt sorry for coming late since he could not offer
worship as the temple was locked. He offered pongal as neivedhyam to
the Lord from his house prepared by his wife.
When the priests opened the sanctum sanctorum the following day, lo
and behold, the aroma of venn pongal wafted in the air which
surprised everyone. The Almighty had accepted the offering of the
devotee unmindful of the time. From then on it is called Muniyodhram
pongal as it was offered by Muniyadharayar. Fresh butter converted
into ghee is used in preparing pongal every day.
There is an interesting story behind naming the
God as Sowrirajan.
A temple priest by name Sridharan garlanded the
Lord with a garland worn by his lady love. That same day he gave to
the Chola king saying that it was worn by the Lord. The king found a
strand of hair in the garland and summoned Sridharan to the palace.
He enquired about the presence of hair in the garland. The priest
immediately said the hair was from the deity s head.
Just to test the priest, the king went to the
temple and was surprised to find hair in the deity s head. He also
asked the priest to pull out the hair. Inscrutable are the ways of
God. Blood pierced from the deity’s head and splashed on the face of
the king. He at once knew that it was a providential act and God had
done this to support his devotee. The king surrendered to the
Almighty.
Thus the God is called Sowrirajan because of his
hair - sowri.
Presiding deity - Sowrirajan
Thayar – Kannapura Nayaki
The temple is situated near Nannilam and there
are buses plying from Kodavasal.
(Concluded)
Usha Raja
|
