| Description: This Divya
Desam is represented by a shrine to Perumaal, near the sanctum of the revered Kamakshi
Amman temple at Kanchipuram. Shown above, is the golden vimanam crowning the sanctum of
the Kamakshiamman temple at Kanchipuram. Legend has it that
Parvati meditated upon Shiva, under a mango tree at Kanchipuram to be united with him in
marriage. She sought Vishnu (Vamana) her brother's help in her endeavour, and with his
help, her prayers were answered. Vishnu is enshrined in a small shrine in the Kamakshi
Amman temple. The name Kalvan is attributed to the legend that Parvati sighting Vishnu
overhearing a conversation between Lakshmi and Parvati, addressed him as Kalvan.
Another legend has it that Kamakshi meditated upon Vamana and obtained his
blessings and received Shiva's hand in marriage.
There are also three shrines to Vishnu near the temple tank, representing the
reclining, sitting and standing postures of Vishnu (Kidandaan, Irundaan and Ninraan). The
name Kalvan also refers to the deity at Kaarvaanam
enshrined in the Ulagalanda Perumaal temple.
In a verse referring to Kachi Oorakam and Tiruvegkaa (both in Kanchipuram) Tirumangaialwar
refers to Neerakam, Nilattingal
Tundam, Kaarakam , Kaarvaanam and Kalva(nur).
Nilattingal Tundam is a shrine in the Kanchi Ekambreswarar temple, Neerakam,
Kaarakam and Kaarvaanam are shrines in the Ulagalanda
Perumaal temple (Oorakam) . Kalvanoor is the name of the
shrine to Vishnu (Aadi Varaha Perumaal) in the Kanchi Kamakshi Amman 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. |
