Sri Loganatha Perumal Temple – Thirukkannankudi,Nagapattinam
Long back Vashita Maharishi made an idol of Krishna in Butter. But the butter did not melt due to his pure devotion. For many years he worshipped Lord Krishna made out of butter. The Lord wanted to test him and hence he transformed himself into a small boy (of Yadava caste or Idai kulam) and started eating the butter idol.
When Vashita saw this he lost his temper and started to chase the boy, who was running towards the west side, when the boy was crossing a Magizha Maram, other rishi’s who were performing penance there caught the boy and tied him up in the tree. Then finally the boy showed him up. Lord Krishna was standing at the boy’s place. So from the same place where he stood that day, he blessed us as the Lord Dhamodhara and Dhamodhara Narayanan.
So as Lord Krishna was tied here by rishi’s this place is known as Thirukannankudi (Kudi means place of stay).
This place is related to Ramayana and Mahabaratha. In Ramayana, Lord Rama was the disciple of Vashista Maharshi but at this place Lord Krishna takes the post of the teacher and teaches “Gyana” to his student Vashista.
In Mahabharatham, Lord Krishna was tied by Mother Yashoda for the reason of eating butter. For more or less the same reason he was tied here by rishi’s.
This incident teaches an important lesson also. Though by eating his own image, the Lord Showed that Paramathma can engulf another Paramathma, it can be conquered by Jeevatma easily (ie) the lord is in reach to man if he tries sincerely.
“Kaya Magizh – Uragapuli – Thola Vazhaku – Oorakinaru – Thirukannankudi”. This is the old saying revolving about this place. Now let us see the explanation of the above Tamil saying.
Also, this was the place where the Lord bridged the gap between the mortals and the immortals. By showing his true form to his devotees, he proved that anybody who had pure devotion and sincerity in his prayers could see the Lord himself. He showed himself to a lot more people at that very place.
Sthala Vruksham – MagizhaMaram (Vagulam).
The Moolavar of this kshetram is Sri Loganathan. Also named as ShayamalaMeniperumal. The Moolavar is giving his seva in the standing posture facing east. Prathyaksham for Bhrigu Maharishi, Brahma devan, Uparisaravasu, GowthaMarishi, ThirumangaiAlwar.
Thayaar:The Thayaar found in this sthalam is Sri Loganayaki. The UtsavarThayaar is Sri Aravindavalli. Utsavar:The Utsavar of this sthalam is Damodhara Narayanan. Pushkarani: Shravana Theertham . Vimanam: Utpala Vimaanam.
On every MasiMagam, all the fishermen of Nagapattinam gather at the Loganatha Perumal Temple. The Lord is said to give his devotees his blessings and protect them from evil. MasiMagam is the special festival celebrated by the fisherfolk.