KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2010

THIRUKKANNAPURAM PART I

Thirukannapuram is a famous Divyadesham . It has the mangalashasanam of several azhwars. .The Lord Showrirajan shines here along with Padmini thayar. The sthalapuranam goes this way:

Once a sage by name kanva questioned the Great Narada. Iam told that the best of all mantras is Ashtakshara mantra. It bestows all prosperity and also gives salvation to a seeker. Which kshetra is the best one to chant this mantra. I want to know which place I have to visit so that I have a quick sidhdhi of the ashtakshara.

Narada at once replies” Oh Sage May you go to Krishna kshetra ( Thirukannapuram) which lies on the coast of Bay of Bengal. The Ocean of Mercy Sowriraja Perumal lies at the coat of this ocean. It is very difficult top obtain a punya kshetra, city, forest,, sea, river, lake, vimana- all the seven of these. Here there is a confluence of all these seven. Krishnaranyam –forest, the town of Thirukannapuram,the Bay of Bengal, the river Cauvery merging into the sea,the lake of Nithyapushkarani,the vimana of Uthpalavartha all the seven put together shine here. Sages meditate upon Lord Krishna here. You shall obtain the fruit of your penance there.”

Kanva and his disciples immediately left for Thiukannapuram.As they were engaged in severe penance an asura by name Vikataksha troubled them all. Kanva prayed to the Lord to save them all from this demon. The Lord Sowriraja came on a horseback and killed the demon. Disguised as an ordinary man he came to the ashrama of kanva and asked him for some water. The sage showed him the Nithyapushkarani pond. He accompanied him along to the pond. There at the banks of Nithyapushkarani theLord revealed His Divine Form.With Lotus hands and lotus feet, lotus face, louts navel, the Lord showed His magnificient form. The Sage extolled Him with beautiful sthotras. The Lord said “ Indra on committing the crime of Brahmahathi during Vrithrasura’s vadam performed 100 Ashwameda yagas at this kshetra and regained his post as Indra. That is why he is called Shathamakhan. His sins were destroyed. Those who come here and chant the ashtakshara will indeed obtain my darshan.. Even today there is the sanctity of Lord Krishna at this kshetra.