| Description This Divya
Desam is the celebrated Vaikuntha Perumaal Temple, built by the Pallava Emperors who also
built the Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram. Deities: The Moolavar
here is Vaikuntha Nathan or Paramapada Naathan in a seated posture facing west, and
Taayaar here is Vaikuntha Valli in a separate shrine.
The Temple: This temple is regarded as a grand specimen of Pallava
architecture. It has a three layered Ashtanga Vimanam. The lowermost level enshrines
the seated image of Vishnu, while the ones above enshrine Vishnu in reclining and standing
postures respectively. The images in the upper levels are not worshipped. (This is similar
to the arrangement in the Koodalazhagar temple
at Madurai). This temple was
constructed by Nandi Varma Pallavan II (717-779 CE) and it covers an area of about 3
acres. This is an ancient Pallava temple; the monolithic pillars in the inner prakaram are
noteworthy.
Legend has it that the Dwarapalakas of Vishnu were reborn as the
children of the king of Vidarbha - Villavan and Pallavan. These Princes, are said to have
performed the Aswamedha sacrifice here, and Vishnu is said to have appeared in front of
them in answer to their prayers.
Ramanujacharya and Manavaalamaamuni are said to have visited this shrine.
Festivals:: Two worship services are offered each day. The annual
Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi as in the Varadarajaswamy Temple , and Vaikuntha Ekadasi is celebrated
in the month of Markazhi.
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. |
