| DescriptionThis Divyadesam
is located again in Kanchipuram close to the Ashtabhuyakara
Divya Desam, which is in turn a mile west of the Varadaraja
Perumal temple. It is also referred to as Vilakkoli Perumaal 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 Deepaprakasar, also known as
Vilakkolipperumaal, Divyaprakasar - in a standing posture facing west. Taayaar here is
Maragatavalli. This west facing temple has a 3 tiered rajagopuram and 2 prakarams. There
are shrines to Lakshmi Hayagreeva, Aandaal, the Alwars and Desikacharyar.
Legend has it that the demons darkened the world in an attempt to
disturb the yagna (ritual) conducted by Bhrama; Vishnu is said to have manifested himself
as bright light, to enable the yagna to continue unimpeded, hence the name Deepaprakasar.
Tiruttankaa is the birthplace of Desikacharyar, whose image is enshrined here along
with that of Lakshmi Hayagreevar (see Tiruvahindrapuram)
which he held in worship. Murals depicting the life history of Desikacharyar are seen in
the circumambulatory passage in this temple.
Festivals: Two worship services are carried out each day. Vaikuntha
Ekadasi is celebrated here. |
