Varadaraja Perumal, Ulagalandha Perumal, Pachai vannar and Palvanna Perumal Temple. Kancheepuram.

1. Varadharajaperumal temple:
   
   
   This is One of 108 Divya desam in Chinna Kancheepuram.
   
   
   Main deity: Varadharajaperumal and his consort known as Perundevi thayar.
   Teertham is Vegavathi, Ananthasaras Brahma teertham and well.
   
   
   Importance: The main sanctum is 40’height with 43 steps to go. In the basement we see Azhagiya Singa perumal in sitting posture and Arithra devi thayar.
   
   Lord Vishnu in the form of mountain was holded by Iravathi Hence the name Athigiri. Varadaraja perumal in punyakoti viman came down to bless Brahma for the yagam he performed. Brugu muni, Naradha, Saraswathhi and indra were blessed by Varadharajar.
   
   Hanuman and Sukran were transformed into lizard for their sin and they penenced here and were blessed by Vishnu. There are two lizards to the roof of temple and everyone is allowed to touch them and will be relieved of all ailments.
   
   Atthi Varadhar is of wood and it is kept in anantha saras teertha, is taken out once in 40 years and pooja is performed. Devotees can have darshan of him at that time. We see Chakrathazhwar in separate sanctum near Ananthasaras teertham and at the back Adi seshan holding Narashima moorthy.
   
   
   
2. Ulagandha perumal:
   
   
   This is one of 108 Divya desam near Kamakshi amman temple.
   
   
   Main deity: Ulagalandha perumal of 35’ height & 24’width. His left leg lifted up to sky and 2 fingers of left hand and one finger of right lifted up. We see Aranaravalli thayar in different sanctum.Teertham is Naga teertham.
   
   
   
   Importance: During vamana avathara Vishnu asked for 3 steps of land from Mahaballi. Mahabali agreed to give & for one step of Vishnu, Mahabali was under the feet of vamana and was unable to lift and see the complete form of Vamana.
   
   
   He penanced here and Vamana was pleased and reappeared infront of him and even then he was not able to See the complete form, to his request he is in the form of Adiseshan in the same temple.
   
   
   There are other three deities also in the same temple which were once up on a time in different places nearby which is unknown.
   
   
   Thiru Neeragam: one of 108 Divya desam.
   
   
   Sri jagadeesa perumal and Neelamangala valli thayar are main deity. The teertham here is known as Akrura teertham.
   
   
   Thiru Karagam: one of 108 Divya desam.
   
   
   Main deity: Thiru Karunakara perumal and his consort known as Padamamani nachiyar.
   
   
   Thiru Karvanam: one of108 Divya desam.
   
   
   Main deity: Kalvar with Bhoodevi and Sridevi. Kamalavalli nachiyar in different sanctum.
   
   
   
3. Thiru pavalavanna perumal:
   
   
   This is One of 108 Divya desam. 1kms distance from kamakshi temple.
   
   
   Main deity: Pavala vanna perumal in standing postureand his consort known as pravaravalli thayar.
   Teertham is Chakkra teertham.
   
   
   Importance: The main deity is of red shade which is unique. When Saraswathi sent asuras to spoil the yagam done by Brahma, Vishnu came to rescue of Brahma and fought with asuras and he was with blood stains so the colour for pavala vannar.
   
   
   
   
4. Pachai vannar: Vishnu temple.
   
   
   the temple is sen to the other end of Pavalavannar perumal street.
   
   
   Importance: Brugu maharishi performed yaga here to have laksmi devi as his daughter and he married her to Vishnu here.
   

[Sakthi Peetam][Vishnu temples][Divya Desam]

Ashtabuyakaram, Thiru vellukai and thiru Edagam. Kancheepuram.

1. Ashtabuyakarm:
   
   
   This is One of 108 Divya desam, South of Rangaswamy tank small kanci.
   
   
   Main deity: Adi kesava perumal in standing posture with ashta bujam having chakkrm, knife, flower, arrow, sanku, bow, kedayam and gadha. We see Alemelumanga thayar in different sanctum.
   
   
   Teertham is known as Gajendra pushkarani.
   
   
   Importance: Ashtabuyakaram name is due to Vishnu taking this form to control the asuras who were disturbing the yagam of Brahma. Mahasudha muni was in penancing here. Indra was worried of his seat and he deva kanyas to disturb muni and kanyas took the form of elephant and diverted munis attention. He changed himself into an elephant and started living with them.
   
   
   After many years he came to know that he was fooled by them. Once when he realised his mistake he approached Markendaya muni to help him out. Muni asked him to worship Vishnu in this place Ashtabuyakaram. He worshipped vishnu with lotus flower, in the same form of elephant. One day the elephant’s leg was caught by a crocodile and to free himself the elephant took the name of Vishnu as Narayana and he was rescued by Vishnu and attained his previous form of human being.
   
   
   
2. Thiru vellukai:
   
   
   This is one of 108 Divyadesam. The temple is opposite to Vilakoli perumal temple.
   
   
   Main deity: Sri Azhagiya Singaperumal in sitting posture & Sri Vellukai valli thayar in different sanctum. Teertham is Kanakasaras teertham.
   
   
   
   Importance: Lord vishnu took the form of Narashima and started chasing the Asuras, when he came to this place it was cool and nice. Asuras were not to be seen, he liked the place and he stayed back there to take care if asuras return again. He is in Yoga form here.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Thiru Edagam
   
   
   Thiru padagam is one of 108 Divyadesam. Near Ekambaranadhar temple.Teertham is Mathsya teertham.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main deity: Pandavadootha perumal in sitting posture. The height is 28’. We see thayar Rukmani devi in different sanctum.
   
   
   Importance: king Janameyajeyan listen to story of Mahabaratha from Vaisambhavana muni. Sri krishna when he went to Hastinapuri as a mesanger of pandavas he reveled his Viswaroopa darshan.
   
   The king wanted to have the same kind of darshan of Vishnu, so he performed a Aswameda yaga here in this place. Purna says that his wish was fulfilled. The temple is 1000years old and was built by King Rajakesari varman.
   
   

[Vishnu temples][Divya Desam]

Kallaperumal, Nilathunda Perumal, Thiruvekka and Thiru Thangal. Kancheepuram Town

1. Kalla Perumal:
   
   This is one of the Divya Desa perumal inside Kamakshi temple
   
   
   Inside the main sanctum we see Kalla perumal, Soundra lakshmi and Arupa lakshmi. The kumkum prasadam should be first put in front of Arupa lakshmi and then we should take it from there. After worshipping Kamakshi when we come out in front we see Annapoorani.
   
   
   When we go around the temple in front of the pond we see vishnu in different temple in three posture sitting, standing and sleeping.
   
   
   
2. Nilathunda perumal:
   
   
   This is One of 108 important Divya Desam temple.
   
   
   Main deity: Neelathunda perumal standing posture with sapthagnaga.
   
   
   The deity is seen to north east side of Ekambereswarar within the temple premises
   
   
   Importance: At the time of churnning of occan to get nectar, the God of occan Vishnu’s body became warm and to cool himself he does penance here and the moon rays from Siva’s head falls on vishnu.
   
   
   
3. Thiruvekka:
   
   
   This temple is known as Yadodhakari, one of 108 Divyadesam. Near Rangaswamy tank small kanchipurm.
   
   
   
   Main deity: Sonnavannam seidha perumal in sleeping posture and his consort known as Kamalavalli thayar in different sanctum. Teertham is Poighai teertham.
   
   
   Importance: Saraswathi river started flowing as vegavathi river to disturb the yagam performed by Brahma. Vishnu came to rescue, on the request Brahma to stop the river flowing down.
   
   Vishnu laid down on Adiseshan to stop the flow of river. Vegavathi stopped due to shyness and hence the name Vecca.
   
   
   Poighai Azhwar took birth in a lotus flower represnting panchajanyam. Thirumishai Azhwar left the place in search of Karrikannan and he asked Vishnu of this place to join him.
   
   Vishnu rolled Adisesha took him in his hand and followed him. Once Vishnu left the place the whole town faced problem, the king realised his mistake of sending them away and he begged Azhwar to forgive and return back Knchi.
   
   
   Azhwar was pleased and he asked Vishnu to follow him once again and reside in same place. Since Vishnu did as he was asked by Azhwar the name Sonnavannam seitha perumal. In this place the rarity is Vishnu has placed his head to south side.
   
   
   
4. Tiru Thangal:
   
   
   this is 0ne of 108 Vishnu temples known as Vilakoli perumal. The temple is to west of Ashtabuyakaram temple.
   
   
   Main deity: Deepa prakasar and his consort Maragdha valli thayar. Teertham is Saraswthi teertham.
   
   
   Importance: Without informing Saraswathi, Brahma started performing yagam in a nandavanam which was cool and hence, the place is known as Thanga.
   
   She was not happy about this and requested asura named mayanalam to help her in disturbing the precedings of yagam. Asura made the world dark by his powers. Brahma inturn sought the help of Vishnu to perform his yagam without interuption.
   
   Vishnu came to his resque with a lamp in his hand and hence the name Deepaprakasar.
   
   

[Vishnu temples][Divya Desam]

Teruvidanthy, Thiur Kdalmallai and Thirupukzhi temple. Kancheepuram.

Kanchi Temples


We happen to read a book written by sri. J.c.Murali about old temples of south india.We were inspired and planned to visit as many temples as possible.Our thanks to him for diverting our attention towards the age old temples.


Every temple as its own importance and many a places it is in Swayambu linga form. 276 Siva temples are known as Devara sthalam were Navakkuarsar, Manikkavachakar, Appar & Sundarar (who are known as saiva kuravas) ardent devotees of Siva sang hymns on siva.


There are 108 vishnu temples which are important known as Divya desams. Our first such tour was to Kanchi, south india and places around. We planned to visit important Vishnu temples also which are nearby. The temples dates back to 8 and 9th century. It was a 6 day tour from 21st feb 2006.


Kanchi: During pallava times it was their capital. The place is well known for temples and silk sarees. We started our tour from chennai . We were able to cover 90% only, due to temple timinges. Bus facility is available to all the places except few.

Some places are too small villages were nothing is available for tourists. We made our trip by taxi so that we can cover many places. We were 5 in number and our cost worked out to Rs2500 per head including room and food.

1. Thiruvidanthy:
   
   One of 108 important Vishnu temples.
   
   The place is located at, chennai to Mahabalipuram via (Kovalam). 40kms distance fronm chennai.
   
   
   Main deity: Lakshmi varaha perumal standing posture.Utsavar: Nithya kalyana perumal and Komavalli thayar. Teertham: Kalyana teertham and Varaha teertham.
   
   
   Importance: Vara perumal married 360 daughers of Klava maharishi and he is known as Nithya Kalyana perumal. All 360 were united into one and named as Lakshmi and he has her on his lap, so the name as thiru vidanthay.
   
   
   
2. Thiru kadal mallai:
   
   This is One of 108 Divya desams, 60kms from Chennai or 15kms from Thiru vidanthai.
   
   
   Main deity: Sthala sayana perumal sleeping posure, bujanga sayanam with his right hand on his chest as upadesa mudra.
   
   
   
3. Mahabalipuram:
   
   
   
   
   
   It is sea shore 50 kms from chenni. We have a temple, five charriots made of stones with rich carvings, stone elephant, etc. Holiday resorts are there.
   
   
   
4. Thirupukuzhi:
   
   This is One of 108 Divya desam, 10 kms from kancheepuram. The temple is ½ km inside from the main road.
   
   
   Main deity is Vijaya ragava perumal in sitting posture and Maragadavalli thayar in different sanctum. Teertham is Jatayu teertham.
   
   
   Importance: Women who want to concieve come here. They fry some green gram wash it and tie that to their stomach and sleep in the temple premises that night & next day if it sproutes their wish is fulfilled.
   
   
   Yadava prakasar guru of Ramanujar preached vedanta here. Rama when he was in search of Sita, he performed last rituals of jatayu here. Pond was made by Rama known as Jatayu teertham. Jatayu attained moksha here.
   
   

[Vishnu temples][Divya Desam]