| Description: This
Divyadesam is located in the temple town of Kanchipuram, 1.5 km west of the Varadaraja Perumal temple. The Divya Desams
revered by the Alwars in Vishnu Kanchi are Attigiri (the
vast Varadaraja Perumal temple), Ashtabuyakaram, Tiruttankaa, Tiruvelukkai and Tiruvegkaa, while those in Shiva Kanchi are Tiru Oorakam (Ulagalanda Perumaal Koyil) , Tiru Neeragam, Tiruppaatakam, Nilaattingal Tundam, Tirukkaaragam, Tirukkaarvaanam, Tirukkalvanur, Tiruppavalavannam and Parameswara
Vinnagaram. The vast Ekambreswarar
temple(Prithvi Stalam) revered by the Tevaram hymns, is located in
Periya (Shiva) Kanchi, as are the Kamakshiamman
and the Kumara Kottam temples.
Deities: The Moolavar here is Adikesava Perumal also known as
Gajendravaradan or Chakradharar, in a standing posture facing west. Taayaar here is
Alarmelmangai or Padmasini. The image of Adikesava Perumal has 8 arms, with 8 weapons (the
discus, sword, a flower, an arrow, the conch, a bow, a shield and a mace). The Utsavar has
4 arms bearing a mace and a spear.
The temple: This temple with a single prakaram covering an area of
about an acre has a 3 tiered rajagopuram in its northern entrance and the temple tank
Gajendra Pushkarini across from it. There are shrines to Bhuvaraahar, Aandaal, Peyalwar
and Hanuman.
Legends: This temple is associated with the legend of Gajendra Moksham
(as in the Varadaraja Perumaal Koyil and Kapistalam), where it is believed that a devout
elephant Gajendran, who was in the habit of making an offering of lotus flowers from the
Ashtabhuja temple tank, to Vishnu was caught by the grip of a crocodile. The pleas of the
elephant were answered by Vishnu who vanquished the elephant with his disc. Legend has it
that Peyalwar was blessed with a vision of Gajendramoksham at this shrine.
Legend also has it that a vast army of titans sought to upset a ritual being conducted
by Bhrahma and upon his request, Vishnu armed with eight different weapons warded off the
intruders. Ashtabhuja Perumaal is Vishnu conceived and worshipped thus.
Festivals: Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Chittirai, and
Gajendramoksham in Aadi. |
