Chennai Ratha Yatra

CHENNAI RATHA YATRA 2019
SL
No.
Travelling Devotees
1 Kulashekara Chaitanya Dasa
2 Ishvara Puri Dasa
3 Veda Vyasa Dasa
4 Kanjalochana Krishna Dasa
5 Mahanidhi Dasa
6 Arjuna Sakha Dasa
7 Nilotpala shyama Dasa
8 Prahlada Prana Dasa
9 Nanda Gopala Dasa
10 Sudarshana Dasa
11 Kanhaiya Krishna Dasa
12 Shadbhuja Gauranga dasa
13 Pundarikaksha Dasa
14 Bhagavatottama Dasa
15 Muralilola Dasa
16 Venu Madhava Dasa
17 Chandra Madhava Dasa
18 Rasa Vihari Dasa
19 Achyuta Govinda Dasa
20 Kamala Paada Dasa
21 Suchi Shrava Dasaa
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Chennai Ratha Yatra

Train Details
12th - 13th Jan, 2019
Onward Journey Return Journey
Train No. & Name: Train No. & Name:
12291 / YPR CHENNAI EXP 12657 / BANGALORE MAIL
Scheduled Departure: Scheduled Departure:
Date: 11-Jan-2019 Date: 13-Jan-2019
Time: 10:45 PM Time: 11:15 PM
Scheduled Arrival: Scheduled Arrival:
Date: 12-Jan-2019 Date: 14-Jan-2019
Time: 05:15 AM Time: 05:10 AM
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Train Stops:
Bangalore To Chennai
12-Jan-2019
Sl Scheduled Scheduled Distance
Station Name
No. Arrival Departure (Km.)
1 YASVANTPUR JN(YPR) * 10:45.PM 0
2 KRISHNARAJAPURM(KJM) 11:22.PM 11:23.PM 21
3 BANGARAPET(BWT) 12:13.AM 12:15.AM 77
4 JOLARPETTAI(JTJ) 1:30.AM 1:32.AM 155
5 WALAJAH ROAD JN(WJR) 3:08.AM 3:10.AM 263
6 ARAKKONAM(AJJ) 3:38.AM 3:40.AM 300
7 CHENNAI CENTRAL(MAS) 5:15.AM * 374
Chennai To Bangalore
13-Jan-2019
Sl Scheduled Scheduled Distance
Station Name
No. Arrival Departure (Km.)
1 CHENNAI CENTRAL(MAS) * 11:15.PM 0
2 ARAKKONAM(AJJ) 12:13.AM 12:15.AM 75
3 KATPADI JN(KPD) 1:03.AM 1:05.AM 136
4 JOLARPETTAI(JTJ) 2:23.AM 2:25.AM 219
5 BANGARAPET(BWT) 3:28.AM 3:30.AM 297
6 BANGALORE EAST(BNCE) 4:24.AM 4:25.AM 361
7 BANGALORE CANT(BNC) 4:33.AM 4:35.AM 363
8 KSR BENGALURU(SBC) 5:10.AM * 368
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Divya Desam Temples in Chennai
1. Thiru Vellikeni - Sri Parthasarathy Temple
2. Thiru Neermalai - Sri Neervanna Perumal Temple
Divya Desam Temples in Mahabalipuram

1. Thiru Ida Venthai (Tiruvedanthai) - Sri Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple
2. Thiru Kadalmalai - Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple
3. ThirukKadigai (Sholingur) - Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple
Divya Desam Temples in Kanchipuram:

1.Thiru Kacchi (Kanchipuram) - Sri Varadharajar Temple
2. Thiru Vekka - Sri Yathothakaari Temple
3. Ashtabuyagaram (Ashtabujam) - Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple
4. Thiru Ooragam (Ooragathaan) - Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple
5. Thiru Neeragam (Neeragathaan) - Sri Jagadeeshwarar Temple
6. Thiru Kaaragam - Sri Karunakara Perumal Temple
7. Thirukkaar Vaanam - Sri Thirukkaar vaanar Temple
8. Thiruparameshwara Vinnagaram - Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple
9. Thiru Pavala Vannan - Sri Pavala Vannar Temple
10. Thiru Paadagam - Sri Pandava Thoodhar Temple
11. Thiru Nilathingal Thundam - Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple
12. ThirukKalvanoor - Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple
13. Thiru Velukkai - Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple
14. Thiruthanka (Thoopul) - Sri Deepa Prakasar Perumal Temple
15. Thiruputkuzhi - Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple
17. Thiru Evvul (Tiruvallore) - Sri Veeraraghava Perumal Temple
18. Thiru Nindravoor - Sri Bhatavatsala Perumal Temple
In Thondai Nadu, there are 22 Divyadesams found and out of it 14 Divyadesams are found
in Kanchipuram, which is the capital of Pallava Empire.
Out of these 14 Divyadesams in Kanchipuram, Thirukkalvanoor Divyadesam is found inside
Kanchi Kamakshi Amman temple and Thirunilathingal thundan is found inside Kanchi
Ekambareswarar temple. These two temples are said to "Saivism temple".
Outside Kanchipuram is Thirupputkuzhi Divyadesam is found and near Chennai,
Thiruvellikkeni and Thiruneermalai Divyadesams are found. Near Mahabalipuram,
Thirukkadal Mallai and Thiruidavendhai Divyadesam are found.
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INDEX
Kanchipuram Temples:
1. Kanchipuram 8
2. Kanchipuram and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 8
1a. Reference from Sri Chaitanya Charitamrtha 9
3. Sri Ramanuja Acharya and Kanchipuram 10
4. Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple 14
5. Thiru Vekka - Sri Yathothakaari Perumal Temple 18
6. Ashtabujam - Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple 21
7. Thiru Velukkai - Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple 23
8. Sri Deepa Prakasar Perumal Temple + Vedanta Desikar Temple 24
9. Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple 26
10. Thiru Ooragam (Ooragathaan) - Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple 28
9a. Thiru Neeragam - Sri Jagadeeshwarar Temple 31
9b. Thirukkaarvaanam Temple 32
11. Thiru Kaaragam - Sri Karunakara Perumal Temple 33
12. Kalvanoor - Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple 34
13. Thiru Pavala Vannan - Sri Pavala Vannar Temple 36
14. Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple 38
15. Thiru Paadagam - Sri Pandava Thoodhar Temple 41
16. Thiruputkuzhi - Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple 43
17. Tiruvallore - Sri Veeraraghava Perumal Temple 45
18. Thiru Nindravoor - Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple 49
19. Temples around Kanchipuram
19a. Kooratalwar Adi Keshava Perumal Temple 51
Chennai Temples:
1. Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Chennai 55

2. Srila Bhaktisiddhantha Saraswathi Prabhupada in Chennai 55
3. Srila A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in Chennai 56
4. HKM Chennai, Rathayatra 57
5. Thiruvallikeni (Triplicane) Parthasarathy Temple 62
6. Birthplace of Peyalvar (Peyazhwar):
Mylapore Adi Kesava Perumal Temple 64
Mylapore Madhava Perumal Temple 65
7. Birth place of Thirumazhisai Azhwar:
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Thirumazhisai Jagannatha Perumal Temple 66
Thirumazhisai Veetrirundha Perumal Temple 67
8. Birthplace of Bhoothathalvar (Bhootathazhwar):
Mamallapuram Sthalasayana Perumal Temple 68
9. Birthplace of Acharya Ramanujar:
Sriperumbudur Adi Kesava Perumal Temple 70
10. Thiruneermalai Sri Neervanan Perumal Temple 71
11. Thiruninravur Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple 72
12. Thiruvidanthai Nitya Kalyana Perumal Temple 73
13. Songs and Verses
a. Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra 75
b. Sri Sadgoswami Astaka 88
c. Sri Siksakstaka prayers 89
d. Naradamuni Bhajaya vina 91
e. Chennai Ratha yatra Schedule 92
f. Train Seat details 93
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Kanchipuram Temples [1 of 2] (71Kms from HKM Chennai)
6
Kanchipuram Temples [2 of 2] (2kms from 5 to 6)
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Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, along with its ancient silk-trading history, is famous as a holy city and home
to the great saint Ramanujacharya and his worshipable Lord Varadaraja. Hundreds of
temples attract delighted crowds that flock into this pilgrim center situated in northeast
Tamil Nadu (75km from Chennai). Fifteen of these temples are designated as divya deshams
for Sri Vaishnavas. These divya deshams are connected to the Alvars, prominent South Indian
Vaishnavas who appeared roughly between 4200 and 2700 B.C. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,
Nityananda Prabhu, and Madhvacharya, Srila Bhaktisiddhantha Saraswati Prabhupada, Srila
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada have visited here. It is the birthplace of Canakya
Pandita, author of Niti-shastra and minister of the Maurya Empire. It is also the birthplace of
Vedanta Deshika, the most prominent Sri Vaishnava acharya after Ramanuja. And it is said
that here Lord Varadaraja, the presiding deity of Kanchipuram, spoke the basic principles of
vishishtadvaita philosophy to Ramanujacharya through one of his gurus, Kancipurna.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram, also known as Benares of Southern India or The City of Temples, is one of the
most ancient and sacred cities of India. Kanchipuram is an eternally holy place and has some
of the most magnificent temples. The Garuda Puranaenumerates seven sacred cities (sapta-
moksha puri) as giver of moksha. They are Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kasi, Kanchipuram,
Avantika (Ujjain) and Dwarka. Kanchipuram is one of among such holy place. It is 75km from
Chennai, 130km from Tirupati and 32km from Sriperumbudur (birthplace of Sripad
Ramanujacarya).
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited Kanchipuram in year 1511 A.D. during His South India tour
as mentioned in Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya lila 9.68-70. Lord Balarama visited
Kanchipuram as mentioned Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 10 Chapter 79 verses 11-15. Lord
Nityananda Prabhu also visited Kanchipuram during His pilgrimage to holy places. Great
Vaishnava acarya, Sripad Ramanujacarya, spent a number of years in Kanchipuram in
practising and preaching Vaishnava philosophy and rendering loving devotional services
to Lord Sri Varadaraja Swamy (the principal Deity of Kanchipuram) and the Vaishnavas.
Many great devotees like Kanchipurna and others also spent most of their life at
Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram city is divided into two parts: the Little Kanchi (or Vishnu
Kanchi) surrounding Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, and the Big Kanchi (or Siva
Kanchi) surrounding Sri Ekambaranathar Temple. Kanchipuram is also prominently known
for silk industry.
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Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya lila 9.68-70 mentions: Arriving at Siva-kanci, Caitanya
Mahaprabhu visited the deity of Lord Siva. By His influence, He converted all the devotees of
Lord Siva into Vaishnavas. The Lord then visited a holy place known as Visnu-kanci. There
He saw Laksmi-Narayana deities, and He offered His respects and many prayers to
please Them. Visnu-kanci is situated about 5 miles away from Kanchipuram. It is here that
Lord Varadaraja, another form of Lord Visnu, resides. There is also a big lake known as
Ananta-sarovara. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu stayed at Visnu-kanci for 2 days, He
danced and performed kirtana in ecstasy. When all the people saw Him, they were converted
into devotees of Lord Krishna.
Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta, Madhya 9.68-70
çiva-käïcé äsiyä kaila çiva daraçana

prabhäve ‘vaiñëava’ kaila saba çaiva-gaëa
TRANSLATION
Arriving at Çiva-käïcé, Caitanya Mahäprabhu visited the deity of Lord Çiva. By His influence,
He converted all the devotees of Lord Çiva into Vaiñëavas.
PURPORT
Çiva-käïcé is also known as Käïcépuram, or the Benares of southern India. In Çiva-käïcé there
are hundreds of temples containing symbolic representations of Lord Çiva, and one of these
temples is said to be very, very old.
TEXT 69
viñëu-käïcé äsi’ dekhila lakñmé-näräyaëa
praëäma kariyä kaila bahuta stavana
TRANSLATION
The Lord then visited a holy place known as Viñëu-käïcé. There He saw Lakñmé-Näräyaëa
Deities, and He offered His respects and many prayers to please Them.
PURPORT
Viñëu-käïcé is situated about five miles away from Käïcépuram. It is here that Lord Varadaräja,
another form of Lord Viñëu, resides. There is also a big lake known as Ananta-sarovara.
TEXT 70
premäveçe nåtya-géta bahuta karila
dina-dui rahi’ loke ‘kåñëa-bhakta’ kaila
TRANSLATION
9
When Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu stayed at Viñëu-käïcé for two days, He danced and performed
kértana in ecstasy. When all the people saw Him, they were converted into devotees of Lord
Kåñëa.
Sri Ramanuja Acharya in Kanchipuram:

Sri Yamunachariya lived between 915 AD and 1040 AD. He was incharge of the
administration of Sri Ranaganathaswamy temple at Srirangam besides being the head of Sri
Vaishnava Acharya Peetam. He strictly adhered to the tradition established by Azhwars and
earlier Acharyas. His erudition, profound scholarship and lectures on Vaishnavism drew
many disciples towards him and one of them was Sri Sailapurnar alias Periya Thirumalai
Nambi was serving Lord Srinivasa of Thirumala by bringing fresh fragrant flowers from a
garden laid by him and water for Thirumanjanam (Abhisheka) from Swamy Pushkarani.
Incidentally he was the maternal uncle of Sri Ramanuja and his preceptor as well, under
whose tutelage he learnt Srimad Ramayana.
It was the period when Advaita philosophy was ruling the roost Visishtadvaita remained
latent in the hymns of Azhwars, Sri Ramanuja, the propounder of Vishishtadvaita Philosophy
was born at Sriperumbudur in the year 1017 under Aridra nakshatra, He came to
Kancheepuram to study Vedas, Smrithi, Sastras etc. and he became a pupil under an Advaita
tutor by name Yadavaprakasar, who ran an institution for studies at Thiruppukkuzhi a place
near Kancheepuram. He was married in the year 1033 AD at Kancheepuram to
Thanjamambal.
Be as it may, at Srirangam Sri Yamunachariya by an earlier intuition was awaiting the

incarnation of Sri Ramanuja and about which he was having a conversation with few of his
disciples, they told that young Ramanuja was a resident disciple of Yadavaprakasar at
Thiruputtkuzhi near Kancheepuram. Having convinced that his long felt dream was taking
shape, Sri Yamunachariya took leave of the mutt in srirangam and reached Kancheepuram
after four days of trekking via Thirukoilur He met Sri Kanchipurnar who was familiarly
known as Thirukachinambi and with him went to the shrines of Lord Varadharaja and His
consort and offered worship. While coming out of the sanctum sanctorum, they saw
Yadavaprakasar with his disciples circumambulating the temple. Sri Yamunachariya
requested Thriukachinambi to let him know who among the students was Ramanuja to
which the savant pointed out to a fair and handsome youth with a radiance in his face. He
immediately prayed to Lord Vardharaja bestower of boons that Ramanuja may become his
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successor to propagate SriVaishnavism and left the place without meeting young Ramanuja
as the time was running short for his return to Srirangam. Sri Ramanuja lost his father at
Sriperumbudur in the year 1034-35. following a quirk of an event and with the divine grace
of Lord Varadharaja and Perundevi Thayar, Ramanuja who accompanied his master to
Banaras to have a holy dip in the Ganges and on nearing the vindhya range he came to know
about the diabolical plot hatched by his teacher to do away with him. He left the place after
dusk to an unknown destination and slept in an open place. As the day dawned Ramanuja
found himself in the nearer precincts of Kancheepuram, where he had the divine vision of
Lord Varadharaja and Perundevi Thayar in the disguise of a hunter and huntress who
desired water to quench thirst. The divine couple also showed the direction to approach a
nearby well. Before Ramanuja could return with water, they disappeared from the scene.
Ramanuja was overwhelmed with joy over the event and decided within himself that he
should be of service to Lord Vardharaja. After the above incident Ramanuja having
understood evil designs of his master Yadavaprakasar, reported the matter to his mother
who was upset on hearing the heinous plan and requested her son Ramanuja to approach
Thirukachinambi and after prostrating before him, expressed his desire to be his pupil and
to engage himself in the services of any form as suggested by his Acharya. Under instructions
from his preceptor Ramanuja took the services of bringing water daily from the same well
which was located to him by the hunter and the huntress earlier for Thriumanjanam of Lord
Vardharaja. Thus Ramanuja devoted himself to this divine duty.
At Srirangam Sri Yamunachariya was indisposed due to old age. Sri Yamunachariya
requested Sri Perianambi to proceed to Kancheepuram with a sloka from Strotra Ratna to be
placed first at the feet of Lord Varadharaja and to be handed over to Ramanuja thereafter.
Sri Periyanambi reached Kancheepuram and met Sri Thirukachinambi and disclosed the
predilection of Sri Alavandhar towards Ramanuja. Both the Acharyans went to the Sanctum
sanctorum of Lord Vardharaja and recited the sloka and while returning from the precincts
they met Sri Ramanuja standing with a vessel containing water brought from well. Sri
Ramanuja on hearing the sloka requested Sri Periyanambi to let him know the author of the
piece to which came the reply Sri Yamunachariya. Sri Ramanuja could not contain himself
and implored Sri Periayanambi to arrange for him to have glimpse of Yamunachariya
without further loss of time.
Having obtained the reply in the affirmative, Sri Ramanuja exhilaration knew no bounds and
he hurriedly left the vessel he brought from the well before Lord Varadharaja and taking
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leave of him and Thirukachinambi reached Sri Rangam after four days accompanied by Sri
Periyanambi.
On reaching the outskirts of Srirangam near Thriukkarambanur on the banks of Cauvery,
they saw a crowd around a pyre and learnt that Sri Yamunachariya had passed away.
Ramanuja who was then only 24 years old (1041 AD) lamented over the event and the
resultant misfortune befell on him. However Sri Ramanuja consoled himself that he was
atleast fortunate enough to have a look at the body (Charama Vigraha) of the great
Vaishnavite Saint. With grief Sri Ramanuja returned hurriedly to Kancheepuram and
continued his usual services to Lord Varadharaja
At Srirangam an assembly of senior devotees with the administration of Srirangam temple

as also monastery were on the look out for a successor to the venerable seat and solicited Sri
Periyanambi to name a personage. Sri Periyanambi addressed the august audience and
remainded them of Sri Yamunachariya’s earlier expression that Ramanuja should be his
successor and his visit to Kancheepuram in that connection. He also explained them about
the superhuman event that happened when the three stretched finger of the right hand of
the mortal coil of Sri Yamunachariya folded back on Sri Ramanuja’s assurance to carry out
the three verdicts of the deceased. The members unanimously decided that Sri Ramanuja
should succeed and that he should be brought from Kancheepuram. They reverentially
nominated and requested Sri Periyanambi to take up that mission.
Sri Periyanambi left Srirangam for Kancheepuram on the way visited temple of Lords
Kothandaraman. At Kancheepuram, as if ordained Sri Ramanuja developed an urge to meet
Sri Periyanambi so as to become his disciple as per divine orders of Lord Vardharaja
conveyed to him earlier through Sri Thirukachinambi. Sri Ramanuja took permission from
both Lord Varadharaja and his Acharya and proceeded towards Srirangam. While on his way
Sri Ramanuja stopped at Madhuranthakam to visit Sri Kothandarama temple and to his
surprise he saw from a distance SriPeriyanambi. He strode towards Periyanambi and
prostrated before him which choked his emotion. Both of them felt that the object of their
pursuit was being accomplished. After initiation both the Guru and his disciple left for
Kancheepuram after offering prayers to Lord Srirama. On arrival at Kancheepuam Sri
Ramanuja provided Sri Periyanambi and his family the upper side of his home for a
comfortable living. During Sri Periyanambi’s stay for nearly 6 months Sri Ramanuja learnt
Nalayira Divya Prabhandham (4000 verses of Alwars) and its interpretation as also nuances
about Vaishnavism. Sri Ramanuja’s wife Thanjamambal was a devoted wife to Ramanuja and
her domain was the kitchen. She was very scrupulous in the observance of orthodoxy. On
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one occasion Sri Ramanujar invited his Achraya Thirukachinambi to his abode to be his
guest. As per arrangement Sri Thirukachinambi was called at the residence by Sri
Ramanuja’s wife, earlier than the specified time. Sri Thirukachinambi cam and requested
Thanjamambal to serve him food. She acceded to his request but served the food in front of
the house (not inside). After the guest had left she removed the leaf with the left over with
the help of a stick as she considered it to be a taboo to dispose it off with her hand. Sri
Ramanuja who was away having heard about the incident felt repentant about his wife’s
scornful behaviour and warned her to behave better. Another time when a vaishnavite
expressed hisbeing hungry he asked his wife to give him food if available to which she replied
in the negative with impunity. However Sri Ramanujar continued to live with her patiently.
Thanjamambal’s derisive behaviour reached its crescendo when she and Vijayambal wife of
Sri Periyanambi were drawing water simultaneously from the common well resulting in the
two vessels coming in contact with each other. The former became indignant as she
considered it as an act of heterodoxy and spurned the wife of Sri Periyanambi and called her
names.
Consequently the couple from Srirangam left furtively before Sri Ramanuja could return
home after his services to Lord, as the repetition of such events would create a bad blood. Sri
Ramanuja on learning about theunexpected occurrence and the resultant departure of his
Acharya with his wife took a decision that he should discard his family life and take
asceticism. Sri Ramanuja without displaying anger or disgust, tactfully sent his wife along
with the people from his wife side who came to invite him for a wedding. Thanjamambal
accompanied her relations with her jewels and dresses as per the request of her husband to
participate in the wedding it was the year 1047 AD when Sri Ramanuja who was thirty years
old donned the saffron robe on the banks of the holy tank at Kancheepuram and his action
had sanction of Lord Varadaraja. At Srirangam the governing body of the mutt came to know
that Sri Ramanuja had taken to a life of a Sanyasi with Thiruthandam adorning his hand and
was made the Acharya of Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya….
A subtle thing to be noted in this transformation is the part played by Lord Sri Ranganathar
of Srirangam and Lord Varadharaja of Kacheepuram. The benevolent revolutionary Sri
Ramanuja attained Paramapadha on 22 July 1138 and his mortal remains were interred
within the Srirangam temple complex.
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Kanchipuram Divya Desam Temples
1. Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple
Address: Nethaji Nagar, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Phone: 044 2726 9773
Darshan - Morning: 6.00 – 12.30 P.M Evening: 3.30 – 8.30 P.M.
Sthalapuranam (Pastimes):
Lord Brahma’s penance and Appearance of Sri Varadaraja Perumal
In the Sri Sampradaya, there are three most holy and important deities;
1. Sri Ranganatha Swamy in Srirangam,

2. Sri Varadaraja Perumal in Kanchipuram and
3. Sri Venkateswara Balaji in Tirupati.
In the histories of the Azhwars, there are profuse prayers glorifying these forms of the Lord,
especially in the life of Sripad Ramanujacarya. The more we dive deeply into these most
illuminating pastimes, the more our hearts over flood with gratitude, to have the opportunity
to have the darshan of the Lord in this form.
In the Satya Yuga, Lord Brahma wanted to have the darshan of Lord Narayana and worship
him with love and devotion. He performed penance for this purpose, and the Lord appeared
in the form of the forest of Naimisharanya. Brahma wanted to see the personal form of the
Lord. He carried on with his tapasya. In reciprocation, the Lord appeared in the form of
water, the holy place Pushkar. Still, Brahma wanted to see the form of the Lord, The original,
transcendental form of the Lord. This was not something easy to achieve. Brahma was told
that he would have to perform 1000 Ashvamedha yajnas, in order to receive this benediction.
So Lord Brahma pleaded and begged to Lord Vishnu stating that “ This will take a very long
time, and it's very difficult." So an Asharira vani (Divine sound said)" To Go to Kanchipuram,
where any spiritual act of devotion is multiplied by 1000 times over other places. If, there he
does one Ashvamedha yajna, he will have the darshan of Lord Narayana." Lord Brahma came
to Kanchipuram, He also invited Saraswati Devi, his consort, but her inconceivable pastimes
regarding the Lord's pastimes, she was not accessible.
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Lord Brahma began the yajna. Like any yajna, impediments came to stop the yagna. Many
obstacles came during Lord Brahma's execution of his yajna. First, the great river came, the
massive river that was just going to wash away the entire yajyashala. Then Brahma took
shelter of the Lord, and Lord Narayana appeared as Vega Sethu. The Lord appeared as a deity
sleeping on Ananta-Sesa. He was like a dam that stopped the flow of the river, Meghavati
River.
Then, demons created complete darkness. Brahma took shelter of the Lord, and the Lord
appeared in another form, Deepak Prakash, and created wonderful light. Then the demons
sent a ferocious beast, Sharabha (snake) and the Lord appeared with eight arms
(Ashtabhuja) and killed the demon in the form of Ashtabhuja. Then all the other demons
were just gathered around, just harassing Brahma, trying to do everything possible to stop
this yajna. Lord Nrsimhadeva appeared on the call of Brahma. These are self-manifesting
deities, of all of these forms of the Lord, at Kanchipuram.
Most importantly, Brahma continued performing his yajna. At the successful conclusion of
the yajna in which he prayed with pure devotion for Lord Vishnu to appear, from the fire
came a magnificent Vimana/gopura. Within that Vimana, was the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, in His beautiful four-arm form. Because He came to the world to be the king of all
bestowers of blessings, His name is Varadaraja.
This Varadaraja Swamy who is the predominating deity of Vishnu Kanchi. Sri Ramanujacarya
resided, here in Kanchipuram. He daily worshiped Sri Varadaraja with great love and
devotion.
Kanchipuram was the historical capital of the Pallavas. It was under Pallavas from 6th to
8th century A.D. and later became the citadel of Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. During the
6th and 7th centuries, the Pallavas built some of the best temples in the city. Kanchipuram
was also a great seat of learning many scholars both in Sanskrit and Tamil flourished here.
Yuan Chwang, a famous Chinese traveller visited the city in the 7th century and said that this
city was 6 miles in circumference and famous for piety and veneration for spiritual learning.
Kanchipuram is the birthplace of Canakya Pandita, author of Niti-sastra (civic laws) and
minister of the Maurya Empire.
Thirukkachi Nambi (Also known as Kanchi Purnar) was an ardent devotee of this temple. He
used to bring flowers everyday from Poovirundhavalli, where he maintained a garden. He
did Aalavatta Kaingariyam, waving to produce breeze with the help of hand fan. It is believed
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that Vardharaja used to converse with him, while he was doing that seva. Aalavatta
Kaingariyam is a worship practise followed in modern times also. Nambi also composed
Devarajaashtakam (A Sanskrit poem of 8 verses) on the presiding deity. Sri Ramanujar, got
answers to his six questions from Lord Varadharaja through Sri Thirukkachi Nambi.
History:
The temple has around 350 inscriptions from various dynasties like Chola, Pandya, Telugu
Chodas, Kandavarayas, Cheras, Kaaktiya, Sambuvaraya, Hoysala and Vijayanagara indicating
various donations to the temple and also the political situation of Kanchipuram.There is a
belief that the temple was first built by the Pallava king Nandivarman II. Varadharaja
Perumal Temple was originally built by the Cholas in 1053[9] and it was expanded during
the reigns of the great Chola kings Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola. In the 14th century
another wall and a gopura was built by the later Chola kings. When a Mughul invasion was
expected in 1688, the main image of the deity was sent to Udayarpalayam, now part of
Tiruchirapalli District. It was brought back with greater difficulty after the involvement of
local preceptor who enlisted the services of general Todarmal. Robert Clive, the British
general during the colonial period visited the Garuda seva festival and presented a valuable
necklace (now termed Clive Maharkandi), which is adorned during a special occasion every
year. There are inscriptions dated 1532 CE indicating the gift of number of villages made by
Achutaraya. Vira Narasingaraya Saluva Nayaka who was directed by Achutaraya broke the
royal order by giving more lands to Ekambaranathar temple than the Varadaraja Swamy
temple against the instruction of an equal gift to either of the temples. Achutaraya on hearing
this equally distributed the lands to both the temples. There is an inscription from the 13th
century from the Hoysalas, indicating a gift of a crown to the presiding deity. During the 17th
century, the temple was under the attacks from Mughals headed by Aurangazeb.
The Thathacharyas are the custodians of the Kanchipuram Perarulalan Kovil popularly
known as Varadaraja Perumal temple. They are the Pradhana Acharya Purushas in the
protocol to receive and deliver the temple honours. In retrospection Tirumalai Nambi's son
Tirukkurukai Piran Pillan was ordained by Ramanuja himself as the first and foremost
among the 74 Peetadhipathis to propagate Visishtadwaita philosophy after him. After Pillan,
Tirumalai Srinivasacharya Thathacharya in the fifth generation of Thathacharyas was
installed by Vedanta Desika as the Sri Kariyam of the Devaraja Swamy Kovil. Since then the
office of Sri Kariyam is institutionalised in the diligence and devotion of the Thathacharyas
to the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram.
Ramanujar Sannidhi at Sevilimedu

Ramanujar Sannidhi is the place where Ramanujar used to live after estranging himself from
married life. This is the place where Thirumazhisai Aalwar along with Kani Kannan and
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Yadotkaari stayed for one night during banishment of Kani Kannan from the kingdom.
Ramanujar used to take water from the nearby well and do Thirumanjanam to Sri
Varadharajar temple. This temple exactly faces Varadharajar temple and its gopurams are
visible from here
Specials: Sri Varadharajar Temple and also Birth place of Vedantha Desikar. Garuda Seva,
which is a grand utsavam (festival) done in Vishaka month is said to be the most and
special Festival here.
Atthi Varadhar Deity - Once in every 40 years he is taken out from the pond and grand
poojas are done during that period.
Moolavar and Thaayar: Deties

The Moolavar of this this sthalam is Sri Varadharajar, Other names of the deity are
Perarulalan, Devathirajan. Moolavar in Standing, position facing towards West direction.
Have given darshan for Brighu Muni, Naradha, Adhisesa, Brahma, Gajendra. The Thaayar of
this this sthala is Perundevi Thaayar.
Sannadhis (Other Altars):

Garuda, Kugai Narasima, Yoga Narsima and Chakkarathaalwar in a single sannadhi.
Perundevi Thaayar, Sri Ranganaatha, Sri Rama, Ananthaalwan, Dhanvanthri, Sri Krishna,
Sri Andal.
Pushkarani: Sri Varadharajar Temple - Kanchipuram

Vimanam: Punyakoti Vimanam
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2. Thiru Vekka - Sri Yathothakaari Perumal Temple
Address: Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Darshan - 8.00 AM-11.00 AM, 5.00 PM - 8.00 PM
Sri Yatoktakari Perumal is also called “Vega Sethu” because Lord Narayana appeared here in
the form of a dam (sethu), upon called by Lord Brahma to stop the massive “Vegavathi” river
sent by Saraswathi who felt ignored by Lord Brahma when he was doing the Ashwamedha
yajna. Lord stopped the river by lying across the river on Aadhiseshan. Because of this, this
Perumal is also named as "Vega Sethu".
It is 1km from Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple. Lord Sri Yatoktakari Perumal lying in the
opposite direction from right to left and is huge in size. Sri Yatoktakari Perumal Temple is the
51st Divya Desam dedicated to Lord Visnu.
Sthalapuranam:
Prelude: In continuation of pastime from above...Once there was an argument between
Saraswathi, the consort of Brahma and Lakshmi on superiority. They went to Indra, the king
of celestial deities. Indra judged Lakshmi as superior and not satisfied with his argument,
Saraswathi went to her husband, Brahma. He also chose Lakshmi to be the superior one.
Saraswathi was unhappy with the decision and decided to stay away from Brahma.
Meanwhile in order to see Lord Vishnu Brahma did a severe penance and did an Aswamedha
Yagna. Saraswathi was still angry that the yagna, which usually is done along with consort
was now done alone by Brahma. She tried to disrupt the penance in the form of River
Vegavathi, but Vishnu interfered with his serpent Adisesha. Saraswthi, on seeing Vishnu in
her path, accepted her defeat and subsided. As Vishnu interfered the path of the river, it was
termed Vegavani, then as Vegannai and gradually corrupted to Vekka. The presiding deity
thus got one of his names, Vegasetu. As per historian Nagaswamy, the temple was called
Vehha meaning Vishnu leaning as a slanted slope, which gradually became vekka.
Once sage Bhargava had a son through Kanakangi, a celestial dancer. The boy was still born
and was not fully developed during his birth. Kanakangi left his son under bushes and left to
celestial world. It is believed that the child was a divine incarnation of one of Vishnu's
weapons, the Chakra. By the grace of Vishnu and Lakshmi, the baby became alright and began
to cry. A childless farmer couple who were passing by took up the child, named him
Sivavakkiyar and fostered him. Once the boy reached adulthood, he was sceptical about
choosing between Saivism and Vaishnavism. Later he was defeated in an arguments with Pey
Azhwar regarding Absolute Truth. He became a devotee of Vaishnavism and the disciple of
Pey Azhwar. Sivavakkiyar was also called Bhakthisarar and later as Thirumalisai Alvar.
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Thirumalisai Alwar also had one disciple by name Kanikkannan. Similar to Thirumalisai
Alwar He was also desrted by his parents when he was a child later he was brought up by
one old lady – So when Kanikkannan request Thirumalisai Alwar to bless the old lady, Alwar
prayed to the presiding deity of the temple and by the grace of Bhujanga sayana Perumal, the
old lady became a beautiful young lady. The Pallava king who was ruling the region at that
time got attracted by the lady and married her. With time while the king was growing older,
the lady remained young. He called up Kanikannan and ordered to sing praise of him so that
he also turned young. When he refused, the king ordered Kanikannan to be banished out of
the country. Kanikannan explained this to his master Thirumalisai Alwar, who prayed to
Bhujanga sayana Perumal. When the king heard this, he ordered the three to be sent of the
country, which they obliged. When the three left Kanchipuram, the city was engluffed with
water because Bhujangasayana Perumal also went along with them, who had previously
stopped vegavathiriver from over flooding the city, now since Lord also went along with
Alwar the city was over flooded once again. Realising his sin, the king worshipped Bhujanga
sayana Perumal to return along with his two devotees. Since the presiding deity obliged to
his devotees wishes, he is called Yathothkari Perumal. Yathothka means as requested and
kari denotes the person who accomplishes the task. One of the alwars, poet saints of 7-10th
century, Poigai Alvar was born at this temple.
History:
The temple is considered one of three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram, the other two
being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple. The temple has
12 inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagar period. The temple is originally believed to
be built during the period of Pallavas. The temple has a set of inscriptions associated with
Cholas. A record of the Chola king, Parantaka I (907–950 CE) indicating gift of 367 kalanju of
gold to the temple by an individual. The south wall of the central shrine of the temple has
inscriptions from the period Rajendra Chola I (1012–44) indicating gifts of land measuring
to one tuni of land and 127 kalanju of gold to the temple. The inscriptions on the base of the
eastern wall of the central shrine from the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE)
indicating gift for lighting lamps of the temple. The southern side inscriptions of the temple
from the period of Kulothunga Chola III (1178–1218 CE) indicates a gift of village to feed 32
Brahmins. The inscriptions also detail the float festival and the summer festival celebrated
in the temple.
Specials:
Poigai Alwar was born.
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Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities
Moolavar deity of this sthalam is Sri Yathothakaari, Other names are Sonnavannam seitha
Perumal and Vegasethu. Moolavar is Kidantha Kolam (Bhujanga Sayanam), facing in West
direction. Gave Darshan for Brahma, Poigai, Bootham Alwar, Kanikannan.
This perumal is found in sleeping posture from right side to left. This is also one of the
speciality of this Shetram.
Thaayar : Komalavalli Nachiyaar.

Utsavar : Made with the combination of precious metal in which gold has a major part.
Sannadhis: Pilla lokacharya.
Vimanam: Sri Yathothakaari Temple - Gopuram; Vedasara Vimanam.
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3. Ashtabujam - Sri Adhikesava Perumal Temple
Address: Chinna Kanchipuram, Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Darshan - 7:00 a.m. to 12:00; 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m
a.k.a: Gajendra Varada Perumal,
Sri Ashtabhuja temple is 2km from Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple. This temple is the 44th
Divya Desam dedicated to Lord Visnu.
Sthalapuranam: Pastimes
Pastime 1: In continuation of pastime from above, when Brahma continued performing

Ashvamedha Yagna, the Demons the demons sent a ferocious beast, Sharabha (snake) to
disturb and stop the yagna. Lord appeared with eight arms (Ashtabhuja) and killed the
demon in the form of Ashtabhuja holding eight different weapons in His arms. The Lord holds
a disc (chakra), sword, a flower and an arrow on His four right hands, and conch (sanka), bow,
kedaya (armour which is used to protect while fighting using a sword) and club (gadha) in His
four left hands. The snake is found on the Vaayu end of the yajna sala as "Sarabeswaran" in
this temple. Lord Visnu was in this place as Adi Kesava Perumal even before His fame as
Ashtabhuja Perumal.
Pastime 2: Another legend associates this temple to Gajendra moksha. As per the legend, the
elephant Gajendra, used to worship Vishnu with the lotus fetched from the temple tank
everyday. Once while picking up lotus, a crocodile caught the leg of Gajendra, who started
calling the name of Vishnu for help. Vishnu sent his discus to punish the crocodile and relieve
the elephant. Ref. Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 8 chapters 2 to 4 describe Gajendra moksha
pastime.
History:
The temple is originally believed to have been built during the rule of Pallavas.[3] The temple
has inscriptions from the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070 - 1120) indicating gifts of land
to the temple. There are contributions mentioned in the same inscription indicating
contributions from the local people for perpetual lighting of the temple. There are
inscriptions in the Southern walls of the temple from Kulothunga I indicating sale of lands
by Rajasundari Chaturvedimangalam to meet the kitchen expenses of the temple. Another
inscription from the same period on the same walls indicates gift of tax free land in Chola
Chaturvethimangalam to the temple for two years and levying tax of not more than 2 paise
per veli subsequently. There are lot of gifts endowed to the temple during the Pallava kings.
Specials: The Lord here has 8 hands in which he holds 8 different weapons.
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The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Sri Aadikesava Perumal, Other names are
Gajendravaradhan. Moolavar in standing position facing West direction. Gave darshan for
Gajendran, an Elephant. It is believed that only in this sthalam, Gajendra Moksham
happened.
Thaayar: Alarmelmangai Thayaar, Other name is Padmasani.

Pushkarani: Gajendra Pushkarani.
Vimanam: Sanganakkruthi Vimanam.
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4. Thiru Velukkai - Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple
Address: Singaperumal Sannidhi St, Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501
Phone: 096291 82520
Darshan - 7:00 AM - 10:00 am; 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
a.k.s: Lord Nrsimhadeva temple or Sundhara Yogha Narasimha Perumal
Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple is ½km from Sri Ashtabhuja Temple. This temple is the
46th Divya Desam dedicated to Lord Visnu.
Sthalapuranam:
In continuation of pastime from above …
Velukkai is derived from Vel (desire) and irukkai (place of stay), meaning the place where
Vishnu desired to stay, which became Velukkai from Velirukkai. It is believed that the
original image of the temple was east facing standing posture of Vishnu as he appeared for
Bhrigu Maharishi and later appeared as Azhagiya Singar. As per sthalapurana, once there
was an argument between Saraswathi, the consort of Brahma and Lakshmi on superiority.
They went to Indra, the king of celestial deities. Indra judged Lakshmi as superior and not
satisfied with his argument, Saraswathi went to her husband, Brahma. He also chose Lakshmi
to be the superior one. Saraswathi was unhappy with the decision and decided to stay away
from Brahma. Brahma did a severe penance praying to Vishnu and did an Aswametha Yagna.
Saraswathi was still angry that the yagna, which usually is done along with consorts was
done alone by Brahma. She tried to disrupt the penance in the form of vegavathi river, but
Vishnu interfered and protected Brahma’s Yajna as Vegasethu perumal (2nd temple in the list)
. Thank later after ferocious demon Sharabha (snake) was killed by Sri Ashtabhuja Perumal
(3rd temple in the list) all the demons gathered and harassing Lord Brahma to do everything
possible to stop his yajna. Then Lord Nrsimhadeva appeared on the call of Brahma. The Lord
chased the asuras (kapalika) away and decided to stay here out of His own desire to continue
protecting His devotees. Since the Perumal itself wished to stay there to help his devotees,
this sthalam is known as "Vellukkai". “Vel” means wish with pure affection or love and “ukkai”
means satisfying. To ride away the asuras, Lord Nrsimhadeva sits in Yoga position facing
west direction as "Yoga Narasimar".

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Azhagiya Singar. He is also named as Narasimha and
Muguntha Naayagan. Moolavar in Yoga Position facing East direction.
Appeared for Brighu Munivar.
Thaayar: Velukkai Valli (Amirtha Valli).
Sannadhis: Separate sannadhis for Perumal, Thaayar and Garuda
Pushkarani: Kanaka Saras, Hema Saras
Vimanam: Kanaka Vimana
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5. Sri Deepa Prakasar Perumal Temple +
Vedanta Desikar Temple
Address: Vilakadi Koil St, Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Phone: 9894449108
Darshan - 7:30 - 10:00; 5:00 - 7:00
a.k.a: Sri Vilakkoli Perumal
This temple is the 45th Divya Desam.
Sthalapuranam:
In continuation of pastime from above …
As per sthalapurana, once there was an argument between Saraswathi, the consort of
Brahma and Lakshmi on superiority. They went to Indra, the king of celestial deities. Indra
judged Lakshmi as superior and not satisfied with his argument, Saraswathi went to her
husband, Brahma. He also chose Lakshmi to be the superior one. Saraswathi was unhappy
with the decision and decided to stay away from Brahma. Brahma did a severe penance
praying to Vishnu and did an Aswametha Yagna. Saraswathi was still angry that the yagna,
which usually is done along with consorts was done alone by Brahma. She tried to disrupt
the penance in the form of vegavathi river, but Vishnu interfered and protected Brahma’s
Yajna as Vegasethu perumal (2nd temple in the list) . Thank later after ferocious demon
Sharabha (snake) was killed by Sri Ashtabhuja Perumal (3rd temple in the list) all the demons
gathered and harassing Lord Brahma to do everything possible to stop his yajna. Then Lord
Nrsimhadeva appeared on the call of Brahma. The Lord chased the asuras (kapalika) away
and decided to stay in kanchi as Sri Azhagiya Singar perumal temple (4th temple in the list),
Lord Brahma continued his yajna. Many obstacles came in Lord Brahma's execution of his
yajna. Now the demons created complete darkness. How do you perform yajna in complete
darkness? Lord Brahma took shelter of the Lord, and the Lord Narayana appeared in another
form, Deepak Prakash, and created wonderful light. Since, the darkness was taken away, the
Perumal there is called as "Deepa prakasa ". Deepam means light and Prakasam is said as the
flash referred to as the light of spread out to take away the darkness. Since the Perumal gave
light, the Perumal is called as "Vilakku Oli Perumal". It means the Perumal gave light.
Vedanta Desika (1268 - 1369 CE) was an ardent devotee of Deepa Prakasa Temple at
Thoppul.
Specials: Sri Vedantha Desikar, Avathara Sthalam-Birth place of Sri Vedantha Desikar.
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The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Deepa Prakasar. He is also called as "Vilakkoli Perumal,
Divya Pirakasar". Moolavar in standing position facing West Direction. Gave darshan for
Lord Saraswathi.
Thaayar : Maragathavalli Thayaar.

Sannadhis: Separate sannadhi for Vedantha Desikar, where he is found with jnana Mudra,
was built by his son, Nayina Varadachariyar and separate sannadhi for Lakshimi
Hayagreevar is also found.
Pushkarani: Saraswathi Theertham.
Vimanam: Srikara Vimanam. This is a big temple with huge Vaagana Mandapam.
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6. Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple
Address: Vaigundaperumal Koil St, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Phone: 099949 04898
Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple is the 56th Divya Desam
Sthalapuranam:
The region where the temple is located was called Vidarbha Desa and ruled by a king named
Viroacha. Due to his misdeeds in preceding birth, Virocha had no heir. He prayed in
Kailasanathar Temple and Shiva, the presiding deity of the temple gave a boon that the
Dvarapalas (the gatekeepers) of the Vishnu temple will be born as sons to him. The 2 young
princes Pallavan and Villalan were devoted to Vishnu and conducted yagna for the welfare
of the people of their kingdom. Vishnu was pleased with the worship and appeared as
Vaikundanatha to the princes. It is believed that in modern times Vishnu appears to devotees
in the same form as he appeared to the Dvarapalakas Pallavan and Villalan.
History and Architecture:

Sri Vaikunda Perumal temple is built in Dravidian architectural style. Temple has three-tier
sanctorum’s (prakara), one on top of the other. At the ground floor sanctum is the primary
deity of Lord Vishnu known as Sri Paramapadha Nathan, in a seated posture. Lord Vishnu
deity, called Lord Ranganatha on the first floor sanctum is in the sleeping posture (sayana
kolam) with His consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi, and on the topmost floor, is Sri
Paramapadanathan, the standing posture of this deity. The temple dates back to 1300 years
and is beautifully constructed. The walls of the temples are adorned with historical and
religious sculptures some describing the rule of the Pallava dynasty.
The Brahmotsavam is celebrated during May-June, About 3 lakh people visit this temple
during Vaikuntha Ekadasi festival. There was a secret underground tunnel laid out from this
temple all the way to Mahabalipuram, on the eastern sea shore, as well as to Parameswara
Pallava’s court.
Parameswara Vinnagaram was constructed by the Pallava King Nandivarman II in 690 CE.
The great Vaishnava saint Thirumangai Alvar was his contemporary. During the period of
Dantivarman I in 813, there was a gift of golden bowl weighing ten thousand kalanju. There
was another gift of 3,000 kalanju of gold to meet daily expenses of the temple. A record of
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gift of a devotee named Thiruvaranga Manickam to feed devotees of Vishnu is also seen in
the temple.

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Paramapatha Natha. Also called as "Vaikunthanathan".
Moolavar in sitting position facing west direction. Appreared for Pallava King.
Thaayar : Sri Vaikuntha valli.

Pushkarani: Irammatha Theertham, Virajaa Theertham.
Vimanam: Mukuntha Vimaanam (Ashtaanga Vimana style) This temple was constructed by
Parameshwara Varman (Vaiyiramegan), son of Raja Simha Pallavan.
There are 3 partitions in this temple in Astaanga Vimaana style.

Bottom Floor - Emperumaan in standing thirukkolam.
Middle Floor - Periya Pirattiyar and Bhoomi Piratiyar in Kidantha Thirukolam.
Top Floor - Nindra Thirukkolam no pooja for them.
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7. Thiru Ooragam (Ooragathaan) - Sri Ulagalantha Perumal
Temple
Address: Kamakshi Amman Sannidhi Street, Periya, Periya, Kanchipuram, TN 631502
Phone: 94425 53820
Darshan - 6 am - 12:30 PM; 4PM - 8 PM
Sri Ulagalantha Perumal Temple is Lord Vamanadeva’s (Trivikrama) temple. The gigantic
Ulagalantha Perumal is special to Kanchipuram and a Lord of this size. Sri Ulagalantha
Perumal is over 35 feet in height. Left leg is seen lifted at a right angle (to the body), parallel
to the ground. Right leg is seen placed on Bali Maharaj's head. Two fingers on Lord's left hand
stretched out referring to the two steps He took to measure this world. One stretched finger
on His right hand indicates the question the Lord posed to Bali as to where He could place
his third step.
chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta-vamana

pada-nakha-nira-janita-jana-pavana
kesava dhrta-vamana-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a dwarf-
brahmana! All glories to You! O wonderful dwarf, by Your massive steps You deceive King
Bali, and by the Ganges water that has emanated from the nails of Your lotus feet, You
deliver all living beings within this world.
[Sri Dasavatara-stotra, from Gita-Govinda by Srila Jayadeva Gosvami]
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 8 chapters 18 to 23 describe the wonderful pastime of Lord
Vamanadeva and Bali Maharaja.
Inside the Sri Ulagalantha Temple there are four Divya Desams namely:
1. Thiru Karvaanam,
2. Thiru Kaaragam,
3. Thiru Ooragam and
4. Thiru Neeragam.
Sthalapuranam:
Bhagavata Purana describes that Vishnu descended as the Vamana avatar to restore the
authority of Indra over the heavens, as it had been taken by Bali Maharaj. Bali Maharaj was
the grandson of Prahlada.
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Once, the king of the demons, Bali Maharaja, ruled over the entire universe. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, decided to incarnate in order to regain the universe
for His devotees, the demigods. Lord appeared from the womb of Aditi in his four-armed
form of Narayana. His mother and father, Aditi and Kasyapa Muni, were struck with wonder
and joy. Then, standing before them, the Lord assumed the form of Vamana, the dwarf
brahmana.
He tricked Bali Maharaja by asking for three steps of land. Sukracharya understood that
Vamanadeva was actually Vishnu and he advised Bali Maharaja to not fulfill the promise of
three steps of land. Bali Maharaja, however, was a devotee, and he saw the arguments of his
guru as a hindrance to devotional service. Bali Maharaja did not fear the results of giving
everything to the Supreme Lord. When he told Sukracharya that he could not go back on a
promise made to a brahmana, Sukracharya cursed him, saying "Because of disobeying me,
you shall very soon be bereft of all your opulence."
Bali Maharaja, the king of the demons, even after understanding that Vamanadeva was an
incarnation of Vishnu, did not go back on his word. He offered Vamanadeva water and then
offered Him the gift of three steps of land, which he had promised. The Supreme Personality
of Godhead, who had assumed the form of Vamana, the brahmana boy, began increasing in
size, acting in terms of the material energy, until everything in the universe was within His
body, including the earth, the planetary systems, the sky, the directions, the seas, the oceans,
the birds, beasts, human beings, the demigods and the great saintly persons. With His first
step He covered the entire surface of the earth; and with His second step He covered the
heavenly planets. There was no place left for Him to take His third step.
Vamanadeva said, "O King of the demons, you have promised to give Me three steps of land, but
I have occupied the entire universe with two steps. Now think about where I should put my
third." Garuda understood the desire of the Supreme Lord, and he therefore arrested Bali
Maharaja with the ropes of Varuna and brought him before Vamanadeva. Bali Maharaja was
fixed in his determination to satisfy Vamanadeva. Therefore when Vamanadeva spoke of
how He had covered all the planetary systems with His first two steps and Bali's promise of
three steps of land was therefore unfulfilled.
Bali Maharaja, fixed in his determination, would not allow his promise to be false. He asked
the Lord to please place His third lotus footstep on his head, who thus surrendered
everything to the Lord.
Vamana then placed his foot and gave the king immortality for his humility. In giant form,
Vamana is known as Trivikrama. The legend is associated with the Thrikkakara Temple in
Kerala and also with this temple and Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur.
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Specials: Inside this Sthalam, other 3 divyadesams namely, Neeragam, Karagam and
Kaaravannam are found. In mid of January month to mid of february month a very big
utsavam is done.

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Thiruvikrama, Other names are Sri Ulagalantha Perumal.
Appreared to Adisheshan.
Thaayar : Amudhavalli (Amirthavalli).

Utsavaar : Sri Lokanathan.
Pushkarani: Naaga Theertham, Sesha Theertham
Vimanam: Thiru Ooragam Temple - Ooragathaan - Gopuram Saara SriKara Vimanam.
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7a. Thiru Neeragam - Sri Jagadeeshwarar Temple
Sthalapuranam:
Neer, the water is the primary and necessary element for all the things in this world to
survive. To explain this, the Perumal is giving his seva as "Jagadeswar Perumal". The Perumal
is also called as "Thiru Neeragatha" found along with "Nilamangai valli Thaayar".
All the water rushes towards the place where there is a small groove or hole. In the same
way, Lord flows into the hearts of bhaktas and and fill their soul with bhakthi. The water is
said to be cool in nature. Likewise, lord gives the ‘coolest’ blessings to his devotees.
All living things need water to live and at the same time, the body is also purified by water.
By this He tells us that both the Atma and the human body needs to get purified and attain
Moksha with his help.
Even if a small hole is found in the boat, the water will flow in. Likewise, if even the small
level of bhakti is found in the hearts of his bhaktas he will flow into us. But at the same time,
if we don't think and pray to Him, He will go out as the water which comes out of the small
hole found in the vessel. The water flows towards all the regions. It doesn't consider any
raised lands or the lowered regions to flow.

The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Sri Neeragathan. He is also named as Jagadeeshwarar. He is
found in Nindra thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards East direction. Appreared for
for Akroora.
Thaayar: The Thaayar found in this Sthalam is Nilamangai Valli.

Pushkarani: Akroora Theertham.
Vimanam: Jagadeeshwara Vimanam.
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7b. Thirukkaarvaanam Temple
Sthalapuranam:
Perumal in this sthalam is Thirukkaar vaanar. Kaar means clouds and Neer means rain (or)
water. God explains to the world that the water in this world is the resemblance of Him and
the Kaar (the black clouds which gives rain) to the world is also one of his reflection and
clouds which is found in the sky is also the reflection.
Without water, the World cannot survive. So, He comes to the World as rain and make all the
things to survive.
So, Sriman Narayanan explains that He Himself is the black cloud which gives the rain for the
humans and all things to survive. So, this perumal is called as "Thirukkaar Vaanakkalvar".

The Perumal found here is Sri Kalvar and he is found in standing position facing West
direction. Appreared for Gowri Parvathi Devi.
Thaayar: The Thaayar found here is Komalavalli (Thamaraiyaal) Naachiyar.

Pushkarani: Gowrithadagam (Tharathara theertham).
Vimanam: Pushpaka Vimanam.
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8. Thiru Kaaragam - Sri Karunakara Perumal Temple
Address: Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Darshan - 6:00 AM - 12; 4:00 - 8:00
Sthalapuranam:
The Perumal in this sthalam is Karunakara Perumal. He is giving His seva on facing South
direction, which is said to be the direction that belongs to the cool breeze. He is found along
with Padmamani Naachiyaar and explaining to the world that he is the Megham (Clouds)
which brings rain to this world to enrich the wealth of the world.
Without expecting anything in return, the clouds give the rain to the world. Since,
Karunakara Perumal resembles as Kaar, the clouds, He doesn't expect anything from his
bhaktas, but He wants only the pure bhakthi from them.
Since, the Perumal is not expecting from anything but only pure bhakthi and show Karunai
(mercy), Perumal is called "Karunakara Perumal".
Sometimes, the sky doesnt gives rain. It will test the earth and finally gives rain for the earth
to flourish. In the same way, in spite of knowing the problems of bhaktas, He will test them
whether they will continue their pure devotion to Him. And after that, He will give all His
blessings to them, thereby making them get out of their problems.

The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Sri Karunakara Perumal. He is found in Standing position
facing towards South direction. Appeared for Kaasha Maharishi.
Thaayar : Padmamani Naachiyaar, Ramamani Nachiyaar.

Pushkarani: Akraaya Theertham.
Vimanam: Vaamana Vimanam, Ramya Vimanam. Since Vimanam is so pleasant (Ramyam)
the thaayar is known as "Ramamani Thayaar".
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9. Kalvanoor - Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal Temple
Address: 24 A, Sanathi St, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Darshan - 5:30 AM - 12:30; 4:30 - 8:30
Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple (or Thirukkalvanoor): Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal
Temple is located inside the temple complex of Kanchi Kamakshi Amman temple and also
revered as one of the 108 Divya Desam temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Sthalapuranam:
The legend says that when Goddess Kamakshi, one of the forms of Goddess Parvati, and
Goddess Lakshmi were taking bath in Kama Koshtam pond, Lord Narayana was said to be
hiding behind a pillar and hearing on what they were speaking about. Goddess Kamakshi
found that Lord Narayana is hearing to them by hiding Himself. As a result, Goddess
Kamakshi gave him a playful punishment by making Him stand, then sit and finally to reside
down. Because of this, Lord Narayana is found in all the three sevas i.e. Nindra, Irundha and
Kidantha Seva on the North side of the pond of this temple. And hence near to the temple
tank the images of Lord Vishnu in the standing posture (Nindra Kolam), sitting posture
(Irundha Kolam) and sleeping posture (Kidantha Kolam) are traceable. Since, Lord Narayana
saw them taking bath without knowing them, Parvathi kept Him the name as "Kalvan" and
this Divyadesam is called as "Thirukkalvanoor".
Parvathi penance on Lord Vamanadeva: As per Purana, Lord Siva cursed Parvati due to
some differences of opinion, and Parvati prayed and meditated on Lord Vamanadeva at this
place standing on one foot. Parvati, absolved of the curse was named Kamakshi.
Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple: Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple is a famous temple dedicated
to goddess Kamakshi or Parvati. This is one of the three holy places of Shakti worship (Shakti
Peeta), the others being Meenakshi temple at Madurai and Visaalakshi temple in Varanasi.
The deity is recognised as having Saraswati and Maha Lakshmi in her two eyes. Kamakshi
sits at the centre of the Gayathri Mandapa, which has 5 steps representing Panchakshri
Mantra of Lord Siva and 24 pillars signifying the 24 letters of the sacred Gayathri Mantra.
She holds a sugarcane bow and bunch of flowers in the lower two of her arms and has a
pasha, an ankusha in her upper two arms. There is also a parrot perched near the flower
bunch.
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The Perumal of this sthalam is Aadhi Varaha Perumal. He is found in standing position facing
West direction. Appreared to Ashvattha Naarayanan.
Thaayar: Anjilai Valli Naachiyar. Found in next maadam in the next wall to Aadhi Varaha
Perumal.
Pushkarani: Nithiya Pushkarani.
Vimanam: Vaamana Vimanam
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10. Thiru Pavala Vannan - Sri Pavala Vannar Temple
Address: Melkathirpur, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Phone: 98401 10092
Darshan - 7:00 AM - 10:00; 5:00 PM - 7:00
Sthalapuranam:
It is believed that Vishnu assumed various colours during various eras according to the
nature of the living beings and their behaviour.
1. During Krita Yuga, people were well-behaved (sattva guna) and Vishnu was white in
colour (called sveta Varna).
2. During Tretayuga, he assumed the colour of Pavalam (red as coral) and hence came
to be known as Pavalavannar. Vishnu is believed to have appeared for twin Aswini
gods as Pavalavannar.
3. In Dvapara Yuga, he assumed green colour (pachai in Tamil) As He granted darshan
to sage Marichi alone.
4. In the current Kali Yuga, he assumed blue tint called syamalavarna.
In Kanchipuram, stands the two temples of Pachai Vannar and Pavalai Vannar, two shrines
standing opposite to each other, two places where the Lord is mentioned by His colour. He
is seen in emerald green at the Pachai Vannar and coral coloured at the Pavalai Vannar. Sri
Pachai Vannar Temple is the 54th among 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. Here Vishnu is
worshipped as Sri Pavala Vannar Perumal with his consort Pavalavalli Thayar. Lord Pavala
Vannan Perumal is in standing posture facing west. There is another shrine opposite this
sannadhi about ½ km away called Pacchai Vannar Sannadhi. Lord Pachai Vannan Perumal is
seated on divine serpent Adiseshan. The two temples together are considered as one
divyadesam. It is said that both the Pacchai and Pavala Vannan perumal has to be
worshipped, without leaving any one of them. Pavala Vanam Temple was once visited by first
three Azhwars, the great saints in Vaishnavite tradition, namely Peyalvar, Thirumalisai
Azhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple faces the western direction.
History:
The temple has various inscriptions from the Chola (10th -12th centuries) and Vijayanagar
period (15-16th centuries). The temple is originally believed to be built during the period of
Medieval Cholas. Among the 12 alwars three of them namely Peyalvar, Thirumalisai Alvar
and Thirumangai Alvar have sung on the different forms of God in this temple. The temple
faces west and the twin aswins have worshipped the Lord here. As per another legend, sage
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Bhrigu was doing his penance and wanted to find out whom among the trio of Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva would be the most accommodating when their patience was tested. Out of
the three, he found Vishnu to be the most accommodating who in spite of the sage kicking
him, went on to massage his legs for pain relief. The sage felt ashamed of his act, but Vishnu
asked him to go to Kanchipuram to complete his penance. Vishnu appeared as Pavalavannar
to the sage. The image of the sage is seen in the sanctum in worshiping posture inside the
sanctum.

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Pavala Vannar. Also called as "Paramapatha Natha" -
Moolavar in Irundha Thirukkolam on Aadhiseshan facing his thirumugham towards West
Direction.
Prakthayaksham : Appeared For Brighu Maharishi, Aswini Devathai and for Parvathi.
Thaayar : Sri Pavala Valli
Vimanam: Pavala Vimaanam.
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11. Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple
Address: Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Phone: 044-2722084
The shrine is in the north-east corner of the temple Sri Ekambaranathar temple.
Sri Ekambaranathar Temple (or “Lord of Mango Tree”) is the largest temple of Kanchipuram.
Sri Caitanya-Caritamrta Madhya lila 9.68 mentions, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited this
temple during His tour to South India - “Arriving at Siva-kanci, Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited
the deity of Lord Siva. By His influence, He converted all the devotees of Lord Siva into
Vaisnavas.” Thiru Nilathingal Thundam is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu
situated here in Sri Ekambaranathar temple.
Sthlapuranam: Pastime
When Mother Parvathi was doing tapasa (penance) beneath a mango tree, Lord Siva wanted
to test the strength of her tapasa. So, he fired the Mango tree. At that time, Parvathi seek the
help of Vaamanar. After hearing the request of Parvathi, Sri Vamanadev with four hands with
conch in one hand and Chakra on the other, took out the Chandra (Moon) from the head of
Lord Siva and with the cool rays out of it Lord Vishnu made the fire cool and made the Mango
tree grow once again. After this, Parvathi went back to do the tapasa. But, Lord Siva wanted
once again to test her and sent Ganga, the river. When Ganga came very fast to destroy the
tapas of Parvathi, Parvathi explained her that both of them are sisters. Inspite of hearing this,
Ganga River didn’t want to stop and tried to destroy her and her tapasa. At that time, Parvathi
made a Siva lingam out of sand and elapsed the Linga with all veneration and embraced it,
so as the Linga could not wash away by the water of Ganga. Siva was pleased and took her
back as his consort. This is the Sthala Puranam of this temple. Lord Siva is worshipped in the
form of Earth Linga (made out of river sand). The temple tower (Gopura) is 11 storey
structure adorned with excellent sculptures. This is one of the tallest temple in South India.
There is a Linga in the prakaram of this tree which is a composite of 108 Lingas and another
one of 1008 small Lingas.
Since, to help Parvathi, Lord Narayana took the Chandran (Moon) from Lord Siva's head to
prevent the Lingam done by sand from Ganga river, the Perumal is called as "Nila Thingal
Thundathan" and so the sthalam is called as "Thiru Nilathingal Thundam". This Divya desam
is found inside Ekambareswarar temple. Since, this temple is taken care by Siva Acaryas, the
poojas for Sri Vishnu is done by a Sivachariyar only. There is a Mango tree in the temple
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dating back to 3,500 years. The divine tree with its four branches representing the four Vedas
yields fruits in four flavours - sweet, citric, spicy and bitter. Procession deity Lord
Ekambareswara is in a separate shrine of glass under the Rudraksha Pandal-tent, the roof
with 5008 Rudrakshas.
Thiru Nilaaththingal Thundathan Temple: There is a small shrine for Vishnu named Thiru
Nilaaththingal Thundathan inside the temple complex. Vishnu is prayed as Vamana Murthy
and the shrine is hailed by the Azhwar saints as one of the 108 Divya Desams. The presiding
deity of this Lord Vishnu‘s temple is ‘Lord Nilathingal Thundathan‘, also known as Lord
Chandra Chooda Perumal, in a standing posture, facing towards the west. His consort
Mahalakshmi is named as Ner Oruvar Illavalli Nachiyar and also called as Nilathingal Thunda
Thaayar. Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple is the only temple of Lord Vishnu
where the poojas are done by the Saivite priests. The Pushkarani (temple tank) of Sri
Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple is called as Chandra Pushkarani, the devotional
songs were sung by the saint Thiru Mangai Azhwar.
Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) Canto 12, chapter 13, verse 16 describes:

nimna-ganam yatha ganga devanam acyuto yatha
vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh purananam idam tatha
Translation:
Just as the Ganga is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme among deities and
Lord Sambhu [Siva] the greatest of Vaisnavas, so Srimad-Bhagavatam is the greatest of all
Puranas.
Lord Siva is the greatest devotee of Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna
(vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh). Lord Siva is one of the twelve mahajanas as described in
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 6, chapter 3, verses 20-21.
svayambhur naradah sambhuh kumarah kapilo manuh
prahlado janako bhismo balir vaiyasakir vayam
dvadasaite vijanimo dharmam bhagavatam bhatah
guhyam visuddham durbodham yam jnatvamrtam asnute
Translation:
Lord Brahma, Bhagavan Narada, Lord Siva, the four Kumaras, Lord Kapila [the son of
Devahuti], Svayambhuva Manu, Prahlada Maharaja, Janaka Maharaja, Grandfather Bhisma,
Bali Maharaja, Sukadeva Gosvami and I myself know the real religious principle. My dear
servants, this transcendental religious principle, which is known as bhagavata-dharma, or
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surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the material
modes of nature. It is very confidential and difficult for ordinary human beings to
understand, but if by chance one fortunately understands it, he is immediately liberated, and
thus he returns home, back to Godhead.
History:
The Ekambareswarar temple is one of the most ancient in India having been in existence
since at least 600 AD. Initially temple was built by Pallavas. The existing structure then, was
pulled down and rebuilt by the later Chola Kings. Adi Sankara, the 10th-century saint got
Kanchipuram remodeled along with expansion of this temple along with Kamakshi Amman
temple and Varadaraja Perumal Temple with the help of local rulers. The Vijayanagar kings,
during the 15th century, also made lot of contributions to the temple and later developed by
Vallal Pachiyappa Mudaliar used to go regularly from Chennai to Kanchipuram to worship in
this temple, At the later stage a similar temple with same name Ekambareswarar was
constructed in Chennai by Pachiappa Mudaliar in order to avoid travelling time to
Kanchipuram.

The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Nilathingal Thundathan. He is also known as "Chandira
Chuda Perumal". Moolavar in Standing position facing West direction. Appeared to Lord
Shiva.
Thaayar : Ner Oruvar Illa valli (Nilaatthingal Thunda thaayar).

Pushkarani: Chandira Pushkarani.
Vimanam: Purusha Sukthi Vimanam (Soorya Vimaanam).
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12. Thiru Paadagam - Sri Pandava Dhoodhar Temple
Address: Pandavaperumal Koil St, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Phone: 044-27231899
Darshan - 7.00 - 11.00; 4.00 - 7.30
Sthalapuranam:
Sri Pandava Dhootha Perumal Temple is the 49th among 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu.
The presiding deity of the temple Sri Pandava Dhootha is in a huge form called
Vishwaroopam of Lord Krishna. The awe-inspiring, gigantic 25 feet deity of Lord Krishna as
Visva-rupa (Universal form) is in sitting posture facing east. Temple is associated with
pastime when Lord Sri Krishna went to the Kauravas as an emissary (called dhoota locally)
of the Pandavas to make a peace treaty to avoid warfare. Duryodhana, the king of the
Kauravas, had a plan to arrest and kill Krishna while He was in Hastinapura. He dug a deep
pit and covered it with a carpet and a chair studded with gems. He had wrestlers hidden in
the pit to wrangle Krishna. Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, displayed His
Vishvarupa, the Universal form, a giant form to all the courtment. Dhritarashtra, the blind
king and father of Duryodana could also see this form.
After hearing this pastime from the sage Vaisampayana, King Janamajeya, the great-grandson
of Arjuna, did penance here to have darshan of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna appeared in His
divine form Visva-rupa and blessed Janamajeya at this temple. Sri Krishna at this temple is
called Padagam. Pada means big and Agam means residence, signifying Thirupadagam as the
place where Vishnu resides with his giant form.
The central shrine of the temple has a large image of the presiding deity Pandava Thoothar,
which has a height of 25 ft (7.6 m). Such a large deity of Lord Krishna is one of its kind. The
deity is seen seated in Arda Padmasana posture with his right leg bent to the basement. The
right palm depicts the Abhaya Mudra for protection and the left arm depicts Varada Mudra
for giving boon. The shrine faces east and the vimana of the temple is called Bhadra Vimana.
The preceding hall to the main sanctum, Mukha Mandapa, has bronze images of the festival
deities of the temple and Azhwars. The most prominent of them is of Arulala Permula
Emburamanar, the disciple of Ramanuja, whose image is rarely found in other Vishnu
temples. The shrine of Rukmini is located to the south of the main shrine and has the deity
of Rukmini. Deity of Lord Nrsimhadeva is located behind the main shrine. Matsya Theertham,
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the temple tank, is located on the north-eastern side of the temple. The major festival of the
temple is Sri Krishna Janmastami.
Another interesting story associated with this temple priests. A learned scholar, Arulala
Permula Emburamanar (also called Yanjamurthy) from Vinjamur in Nellore district came to
Kanchipuram and engaged in a debate with Sripad Ramanuja for 17 days and became his
disciple after losing the debate. The disciple and his family started serving Pandava Dhootha
here in this temple. The Azhwars have sung praise on the different forms of Pandava
Dhoothar.
History:
The temple is considered one of three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram, the other two
being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Yathothkari Perumal Temple. The temple is
originally believed to be built during the period of Pallavas. The temple has a set of
inscriptions associated with Cholas.

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Pandava Dhoothar. He is found in Irundha (sitting)
thirukkolam, facing East direction. Appeared to Janamejayan and Hareetha Munivar.
Thaayar : Rukmani and Sathyabhama.

Sannadhis: Separate sannadhis for Arulalaperumal, Emperumanaar, Chakrathalwar and
Narasimhar. The Sculpture in this temple say the Lord here as "Dhootha Hari".
Pushkarani: Matheesya Theertham.
Vimanam: Thiru Paadagam - Pandava Thoodhar - Gopuram Bathra Vimanam and Vetha kodi
vimanam.
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13. Thiruputkuzhi - Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple
Address: Thiruppukuzhi, Tamil Nadu 631551
Phone: 044-27246501
Darshan: 7.00 - 12.00; 4.00 - 7.00
Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple is 12 km west of Kanchipuram. The main deity Lord
Vijaya Raghava Perumal blesses the devotees in a sitting posture holding Jatayu on His thigh,
to mark the importance of Jatayu’s devotion. The Pushkarani (temple tank) of Vijaya Raghava
Perumal temple is called as Jatayu Pushkarani. The Vimanam (the tower above the sanctum
sanctorum) of Vijaya Raghava Perumal temple is called as Vijaya Koti vimanam. On certain
festive occasions, Lord Vijaya Raghavan goes on street processions mounted on his ‘Horse
Vahanam’. There is a separate sannidhi for Jataayu opposite the temple tank. On all festive
occasions, Lord first visits the Jataayu sannidhi (altar) during his street procession.
Sthalapuranam:
Sthalapurana states that when Sri Rama left ayodhya and went to the forest as ordered by
his father. While in the forest, Sita spots a golden deer and requests Rama to catch it for her.
The deer however is a demon sent by Ravana to lure Rama and Lakshmana, so that he could
carry away Sita. With Rama and Lakshmana out in search of the deer, Ravana abducts Sita
and takes her along with him to Lanka. On the way to Lanka, Jatayu the vulture stops Ravana
and fights with him to release Sita, but Ravana cuts Jatayu's wings and he falls down to the
earth.
When Rama and Lakshmana go there in search of Sita, they find Jatayu mortally wounded in
the forest. Jatayu tells them about Ravana and Sita, and then dies. Sri Rama then performs
the last rites for Jatayu. Jatayu was friend of King Dasharatha. Since Lord Ramacandra was
not able to perform the last rites for His father as He was away in exile, Lord derived some
consolation by performing His obsequies and giving moksham to Jatayu. As suggested by
Jatayu, the Perumal here gives his seva in the form in which he performed the final funeral
of Jatayu. In this temple as a mark of honour to Jatayu, the flag post and the Balipeeta are
outside the temple.
Jatayu belongs to the Pul (a separate family of eagle) family and was buried in a pit (Tamil
kuzhi), hence this sthalam is called Thiruputkuzhi. The eagle Jatayu narrated the events to
Rama before breathing his last. The presiding deity, Vijayaraghava Perumal is believed to
have performed the last rites of Jataya at this place. The water body where Jatayu fell is called
Jatayu Theertham.
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The Pandya King, was one of the earliest rulers to have renovated this temple.
Ramanujacarya had his initial lessons from Yadavprakasa here.

The Perumal of this sthalam is Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal. Moolavar in found in sitting
position facing East direction. Appeared to Jatayu.
Thaayar: Maragathavalli Thayaar.

Sannadhis: There is a seperate sannadhi for Jadayu.
Pushkarani: Jadayu Pushkarani. Near this theeratham,
Vimanam: Vijaya Koti Vimanam.
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14. Tiruvallore - Sri Veeraraghava Perumal Temple
Address: Adjacent to Temple Tank, Sannadhi St, MGM Nagar, Tiruvallur, TN 602001
Phone: 044-27660378
Darshan: 6AM - 7:30AM; 9AM – 12; 4PM – 8PM
This Divya Desam is located at Tiruvallur, a railhead on the (suburban) railroad between
Chennai and Arakkonam. Nearby are the Tiruppaasoor and the Tiruvaalankaadu
Shivastalams and Tirumazhisai, the birthplace of Tirumazhisai Azhwar.
Sthalapuranam:
Markandeya Purana details the history of the temple. In Satya Yuga, a sage by name
Purupunya lived with his wife Satyavathi in Badarikashram. They had no children.
Purupanya performed a Sali Yajna. (Putrakameshti Yaga) with great fervor and devotion. The
Sage offered 1000 Ahutis (oblations of gheeto the sacrificial fire after chanting the mantra
each time) every day, for one full year. 'On the last day, when Purnahuti (the final offering)
was performed, Lord Narayana was pleased with the austerity of the ritualistic observances
of the Sage, and appeared in the sacrificial fire in a blissful mood to offer boons. The Sage
prayed for a noble son.The boon was granted with the condition that he should be named
after the name of the Yajna as Salihotra. With this blessing, Lord Narayana disappeared. Then
the Sage collected the ash strewn around the Yajna Peetha and gave a handful of it to his wife
to take in with great veneration as Prasadam. In the tenth month after that, a glorious son
was born to Sage Purupunya. The child was named Salihotra as ordained by Lord Narayana.
With the growth of years, the child showed signs of precocity and started on a pilgrimage-
visiting temple after temple. On Amavasya day (new Moon day in Jan-Feb), he reached
Tiruvallur where he found that Lord Brahma, other Devas and great sages like Vasishtha,
were engaged in taking bath in the Hrittapanasini tank.
Next year, on the same Pushya Amavasya day, he completed one year of penance and took a
holy bath in the Hrittapanasini tank and observed his morning prayers. As he was fasting for
one year without food or drink, he collected on that day some paddy and prepared prasadam
out of that. He divided it into three parts; the first part was offered to Lord Narayana.The
second part was kept for offering as charity and the third for his own consumption. At this
juncture, Lord Narayana took the form of an old Brahmin and came the way where Salihotra
was waiting to offer the share to a guest. When Salihotra saw the old Brahmin, he
immediately requested him to grace his hermitage. He respectfully offered to the Brahmin
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the prasadam meant for the guest. Quickly the Brahmin ate up the offering and Salihotra felt
from his facial appearance that he was not satisfied.
On inquiry, he learnt that the old Brahmin had had no food for the last 4 or 5 days and his
hunger was not fully satisfied. At this, the portion kept for himself was offered to the guest.
The guest was satisfied and left the place. Salihotra commenced another year's penance
without food and drink. Again, on the day of Pushya Amavasya at its close, he took his holy
bath in the tank and noticed many unusual good omens on his way. After finishing his
morning rituals, he procured some paddy and prepared oblations. Like the previous year, he
offered a portion to Lord Narayana and was waiting for a guest to offer the second portion,
leaving the last portion for him. This time also, Lord Narayana took the form of an old
Brahmin and was coming by that way. Salihotra welcomed him and while accompanying him
to the hermitage, the old Brahmin expressed that he was feeling extremely hungry and
thirsty and needed a place for rest also. In the hermitage, Salihotra offered the entire
prasadam meant for the guest as well as for himself. The old Brahmin was greatly pleased
and asked Salihotra, "Where is the place for me to lie (Evvul)?" and the sage readily offered
his hermitage and Salihotra on arriving back at the hermitage, the guest revealed his true
form and blessed the sage.
As per another legend, Vishnu appeared in the place to marry Lakshmi, who was born as the
daughter of Dilipa, the king of Dharmasenapura. He appeared in the place and married her.
The prince (Lord) was so charmed by the beauty of the princess (daughter of Dilipa) that he
voluntarily expressed that he, a prince was on the lookout for a bride. The princess advised
the prince to go and worship Lord Veeraraghava in the temple situated on the northern bank
of Hrittapanasini tank, if he wanted to marry her.
But the prince did not move, but argued that if the mutual love was real, God Himself would
come down to approve of it. The princess then sent for her parents. Arriving there, they
enquired about the prince's lineage but the prince would not divulge his identity. However,
he swore by Lord Veeraraghava that after his marriage with the princess, he would stay
there. This being a very sound proposal, the marriage was fixed; and performed. Following
the traditional custom of offering prayer at the temple after marriage, by the newly wedded
couple, the prince and princess, accompanied by the parents and the invited guests, went to
the temple of Lord Veeraraghava. When they approached the sanctum sanctorum, to the
utter amazement of all present, the newly married couple merged into the deity and stood
transformed as Lord Veeraraghava, and his divine consort Kanakavalli, who blissfully
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blessed the parents and the assembly to attain salvation after their preordained, stay in the
world.
The sacred tank here is known as Hrittapanasini. The following Sanskrit sloka describes the
sanctity of the tank:
darsanat sparsanat snanat, sadyo hrittapanasanah,
ato sarveshu lokeshu, namna Hrittapanasanah
The tank is so holy that evens a sight or a touch or a bath would immediately dispel all
anguish of heart. The temple is praised in the Prabandham hymns of Tirumangai Azwar, Lord
Vishnu is worshipped as Veeraraghava Perumal and His consort Lakshmi as Kamalavalli
Thayar. Lord Veeraraghava Perumal in a reclining posture facing east. Abisheka to Lord is
performed with perfumed oil only. The temple witnesses a huge devotee crowd in thousands
during the Brahmmotsavams, the first of 10 days in Chitra month (April-May).
As per yet another legend, Shiva was not invited by Daksha, the father of Dakshyani and wife
of Siva for a big yagna (sacrifice). Siva, in his anger, opened his third eye out of which
Virabhadra was created. He was directed by Siva to kill Daksha and he followed his orders.
Siva incurred Brahmahatti Dosham on account of the execution. He was directed to the
sacred tank of the temple to propitiate himself off the sins. The shrine of Siva in the form of
Theertheswarar on the northern banks of the temple is believed to be place where Siva
cleansed himself.
This Sthalam is under the control of Ahobila Mutt Jeeyar.
Temple Tank – Hritta panasini: Located on the southern side of the temple, spread over an
area of 7.35 acres, the sacred tank of Tiruvallur is known as Hrith-Thapa-Nasini. The tank is
one of the most sacred tirthas of Sri Vaishnava sthalas. On the new moon day, every month
thousands of people take a dip in this holy tirtha and pray to Lord Vaidhya Veeraraghava
Swami to cure any of their illness.
Specials: If we take bath in the Pushkarani of this temple in Amavasya, it is said that diseases
are cured. All devotees offer salt and Pepper as their dedication. The temple has developed
a sprawling well-maintained Gosala. Named as 'Ayarpadi', it is well equipped and is located
in an excellent environment, away from the temple.
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The Moolavar of this sthalam is Veeraraghava Perumal also called as Vaithiya
Veeraraghavan. Moolavar in sleeping position (Bujanga Sayanam) facing east direction.
Appeared to Salihothra Muni.
Thaayar : Kanakavalli (Vasumathi thaayar).
Sannadhis Altars: Seperate sannadhis for Boopalarayar, Manavalan, Lakshmi Narasimar,

Gajalakshmi Thaayar. Rama, Venugopala, Vedantha Desikar, Nammazhvar, Andal, Garuda,
Thirukachinambi and Vishwaksena.
Pushkarani: Hruthapapa Nasini, which is used to cure mental disease. It is said that if taken
bath in this pushkarani cures all kind of diseases.
Vimanam: Vijaya Koti Vimana
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15. Thiru Nindravoor - Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal Temple
Address: Mandapam Street, Thiruninravur, Tamil Nadu 602024
Phone: 044 2639 0434
Darshan - 7.30AM - 12.30; 5PM - 8.30PM
Sthalapuranam:
Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple is located at Thirunindravur, which is a suburb in the
north-western part of Chennai city. The name 'Thirunindravur' comes from 'Thiru,' the name
for Lakshmi and 'Nindra,' which refers to standing, and 'Vur,' which refers to a village or
place. Lakshmi was once travelling through the sky when she saw this beautiful village in
which she stood and she wondered how beautiful this village, thus the place came to be
known as ‘Thiru-ninra-vur’, the village where Lakshmi stood. This temple is also called
Srinivasa Ksetram and is among the 108 Divya Desams of Vaishnava tradition. Varuna,
Samudraraja father of Lakshmi, worshipped Lord Vishnu here. Thiruninravur is considered
a place dedicated to Lakshmi as she settled here first and then the Lord came here. A unique
feature of this temple is that Bhakthavatsala Perumal stays permanently at his in-law’s place.
According to legend, Thirumangai Azhwar had visited this temple and left to Thirukkadal
Mallai (Mahabalipuram), without singing a single pasuram (devotional song) on the Lord.
After he left, Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal gave darshan to him again at Thirukkadal Mallai at
Mahabalipuram. Thirumangai Azhwar sang two pasurams on the Lord, admiring the beauty
and similarities of the 3 deities in Thirukkadal Mallai, Thiruninravur and Thirukkanna
Mangai. In later days, with the divine instructions of the Lord. Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal is
in standing posture, facing east. Other deities are Sri Ennai Petra Thaayaar, Sri Andal, Sri
Chakrathazhwar and Sri Adhisesha. There is also a Paramapadha Vasa. The temple has a nice
pond nearby, called Varuna Pushkarani, which is the holy tirtham for this temple. This
beautiful temple looks very grand with huge praakaarams and compound walls. There is a
stone mandapam on the outer praakaaram, meant for celebrations, with beautiful carvings.
History:
The temple was built during the Pallava period of 9th century as seen from the various
inscriptions in the temple, king constructed this temple and arranged for Brahmotsavam and
other celebrations. The earliest inscriptions of the temple is dated between 820 and 890 AD
during the period of Nripatungavarman. There are inscriptions from the later Chola kings
like Rajendra Chola II (1051–1063 AD), Virarajendra Chola (1063–1070 AD) and Rajaraja
Chola II (1146–1173 AD).
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The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal. Also known as "Bhatha-ravi-
ppermal". Moolavar in standing position facing east direction.
Appeared to Varuna (the Rain God).
Thaayar: Sudhavalli Thaayar. Also called as "Ennai Petra Thaayar".

Pushkarani: Varuna Pushkarani. Viru Theekshura River flows here.
Vimanam: Sri Sreenivasa (Uthabala) Vimanam.
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Temples around Kanchipuram
Sri Koorathazhwan Adikesava Perumal Temple at Kooram

Birthplace of Sri Koorathazhwar
Location: Kooram village, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502 (10kms from Kanchipuram
Bangalore highway road)
Description:
Kooram is a tiny picturesque hamlet near about 10 km from Kanchipuram. Kooram is the
birthplace of great devotee Sri Koorathalwar (or Kuresh) and there is a temple dedicated to
him. Kuresh appeared in 1008 A.D. and was the prime disciple of Sripad Ramanujacarya. He
is an epitome of humbleness and person with unmatched guru bhakti. Although born into a
rich family, he gave away all his material wealth and became a disciple of Sri Ramanuja. He
lost his eyes in an act to protect his guru Ramanuja from the fanatics. He helped Ramanuja
compose the Sri Bhasyam.
In this Temple there are two parts one dedicated to Sri Adi Kesava Perumal and the second
part dedicated to Koorathalwar. The temple dedicated to Koorathalwar was the place where
his residence was located around 1000 years ago. The first part of the temple is the main
portion, it faces the eastern direction. The sanctum sanctorum has the deities of Sri Adi
Kesava Perumal with His consorts Sri Devi and Bhu Devi. All the Deities are in the standing
posture. There are the sub shrine of Garuda, flag post and Balipeetham facing the sanctum.
The sanctum has just one prakara (corridor). The prakara has the sub shrines of the
Pankajambal, Andal, and Chakarathalwar with Lord Nrsimhadeva on his back and Hanuman.
The sub shrine of Desikan is found separately at the exterior side of the temple. A small deity
of Hanuman is also located here. The second part of the temple belongs to Koorathalwar. The
sanctum sanctorum has the deity of Koorathalwar in the sitting posture. The prakara
surrounding the sanctum has a lot of paintings depicting his life. The bronze Utsava deities
of Lord Ramacandra, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman, are around 1000 years old and were
worshiped by the parents of Koorathalwar, are also placed along with his deity in the
sanctum sanctorum. The room where Koorathazhwar was born is converted into his shrine.
This portion of the temple has many sub shrines such as Pillai Lokacharya, Manavala
Mamunigal, Ramanujar, Parasara Bhattar, Senai Mudali, Nammalvar and Tirumangai
Azhwar. Although the temple is ancient, it is entirely renovated and it is hard to find any
heritage sign.
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Sthalapuranam:
Kolatunga’s atrocities and Kuresa defeats the king’s ministers:
There was a king of the Chola dynasty name Kolatunga who was a fanatic.
Kolatunga was a Saivaite and he wanted to convert everyone. He had a minister called
Chaturgrama. He was a disciple of Kuresa and an associate of Ramanuja. But somehow
because of too much false ego he became bitter, antagonistic to Ramanuja. Chaturgrama
suggested Kolatunga that if he wanted the kingdom to convert to his religion, then, either he
will have to convert Ramanujacarya or kill him. So the king sent military to Sri Rangam to
invite Ramanujacarya to come to Kanchipuram for a debate. When the soldiers came
Ramanujacarya was bathing in the river. He was collecting everything and was ready to go.
There was a disciple of Ramanuja, his name was Kuresa (also known as Koorathazhwan). He
was a very, very devoted disciple, he was so pure and so simple and so humble but yet so
learned in his philosophy. He told Ramanuja his gurudeva, “Please I beg you, you are so
important to this world but I am insignificant. If this world loses your association then it has
lost everything, there is no hope. But I am insignificant, so please let me go and accept this
debate and you hide, otherwise they will kill you.” So Ramanujacarya, seeing the great desire
of his devotee, he put on the white cloth and left Sri Rangam in the guise of a grihasta and
nobody knew where he was leaving and Kuresa put on his guru’s
sannyasa’s robes. Mahapurna said, “I will go with you and defend the truth.” So they left with
the soldiers, and meanwhile Ramanujacarya and his disciples went into exile.
Mahapurna and Kuresa came to the court of Kolatunga. Kolatunga asked them ‘what is the
goal and purpose of life.’ Kuresa replied that goal of life is to surrender to Lord Vishnu.
Hearing this Kolatunga became very angry. He brought the best pundits in the kingdom but
Mahapurna and Kuresa defeated each one of them. The king said, sign this statement or you
will be tortured and killed. There was a paper which read, “Siva is supreme.” Mahapurna and
Kuresa signed the paper. Kolatunga was very happy until he read what was written. They
had written that, “Even dron is greater than Siva.” (dron and siva are measuring weights).
The king was outraged and he ordered the soldiers to take them to the forest. He said that
because in childhood days “Ramanujacarya saved the life of my daughter, I’ll not kill him but
remove his eyes.” So he told his soldiers to pluck out their eyes. The soldiers had red hot iron
rods and they blinded them. Kuresa folded his arms and prayed for the guards. Even guards
hearts melted.
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The Haunted Princess: There was an incident that took place sometime before. When
Ramanujacarya was still a student at the ashram of Yadavaprakash, Yadavaprakash was not
only a great mayavadi but he was also a mystic yogi and a magician. He was very famous for
exorcising ghost, remove them from haunted people. So the kings daughter princess, she was
being haunted by a ghost. She was just totally mad and crazy all blasphemes were coming
from her mouth, although she was a very quiet shy girl. So they called for Yadavaprakash and
he was doing all of his rituals to exorcise the ghost and the ghost with a high shrills spoke
through the mouth of this girl the princess. She said, “Yadavaprakash, you have no power to
get rid to me, you might as well give up all your futile attempts. I am so much more powerful
than you.” And Yadavaprakash, his whole image and his reputation was on the line, so he was
trying again and again with no avail. But finally the ghost again spoke in a terrible shrilling
voice through the mouth of this young princess that, “There is no hope, the only possibility
is if your disciple, your youngest disciple Ramanuja comes, because of his purity of heart I
will be forced to leave.” So others heard this, so Yadavaprakash was forced to call his disciple,
Ramanuja being very gentle and very humble began to pray to Lord Narayana, “Please, save
this girl.” And at that time while he was praying the ghost spoke through the mouth of the
girl and said, “Ramanuja, I will only leave the body of this girl if you put your lotus feet on my
head.” So then the princess who was completely being controlled by the ghost bowed down
and put her head on the ground and then Ramanuja placed his feet on the princess head and
then Ramanuja said to the ghost, “What will be the sign that you have actually left this girl?”
She said, “There is a banyan tree that we are sitting under and she said, the highest branch
of this banyan tree will crack and fall to the ground as soon as I leave.” Just within seconds
the highest branch of the banyan tree cracked and fell to the ground.
Kuresa an ideal disciple: After Kuresa defeated the ministers, they wanted to kill him but
the princess appeared she said, “He saved my life, how can you kill him? He saved me from
that ghost, you cannot kill him.” So instead of killing they burned his eyes out.
Just see the great dedication of a disciple for his spiritual master. Then they took Kuresa and
they just threw him in a jungle area where he was completely lost and they left him there. So
Kuresa was feeling very grateful to Lord Narayana that he was allowed to do such a
wonderful service for his spiritual master. He was not thinking, oh! I have surrendered I have
done all this for my guru and look what is happening. I am blind and lost and probably
starved to death. He was very grateful. He was very happy that “By your mercy my Lord, you
are so kind you have allowed me to do such a wonderful seva for my gurudeva.”
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This is the quality of a real disciple. He is willing to give his life for his guru. He is willing to
accept any inconvenience gladly with a grateful, happy and joyful heart.
Koorathazhwar was the ultimate symbol of Perfection - The Perfect disciple with the Perfect
knowledge. He lived for 110 years, spending his final days in Srirangam before returning to
the spiritual abode.
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Chennai and Gaudiya Vaishnavism
Srila Bhaktisiddhantha Sarasvati Prabhupada in Chennai:

South India, 1930–32
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati wanted to install 108 pada-pithas (replicas of Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu’s footprints) at sacred locations that had been visited by the Lord, to create
awareness of His having been there. But he was able to do so at only eight locations, five of
them while touring South India in 1930.
Advance parties were sent to arrange with local temple authorities for brief and modest
installation programs. At each place, accompanied by a small party, Srila Sarasvati Thakura
would install a stone imprint representing Mahaprabhu’s feet by washing it with Ganga
water, performing arati, reading from the relevant section of Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, and
performing sankirtana. He would give the priests and temple managers funds for the
construction of a simple shrine for the footprints, and within a day or two move on.
The expedition began on 23 December 1930, when the party proceeded from Calcutta to
Jajpur, Orissa. There Lord Chaitanya’s footprints were installed near the river Vaitarani, also
known as Viraja. Lord Chaitanya’s grandfather, Upendra Mishra, was said to have hailed from
Jajpur, and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and his troupe visited the inhabitants of that area
who claimed descent from Lord Chaitanya’s family. On the night of 25 December they left
from Jajpur station, at the periphery of thick jungle. When suddenly the sound of tigers was
heard, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati asked, “Oh, are the tigers roaring?”
On 26 December the troupe arrived at Kurmakshetra, where the deity of Sri Kurma presides.
In the evening, resident brahmanas offered a ceremonial welcome, and after performing a
parikrama of the temple, Srila Sarasvati Thakura installed Lord Chaitanya’s footprints. Next
the party established pada-pithas at Simhacalam (27 December), Kovvur (29 December), and
Mangalagiri (31 December). At Kovvur, by consulting the local public and the description in
Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, an advance party approximately ascertained the site on the bank
of the river Godavari at which Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had first met and discussed with
Sri Ramananda Raya, the leader of the local party, happily donated a plot for construction.
Srila Sarasvati Thakura and company reached Madras on 2 January 1931.
The Harmonist described much of the rest of the tour thus:
55
After a stay of two days at Madras His Divine Grace started for Trivandrum, visiting on the way the
temples of Sri Varadaraja at Vishnukanchi, of Sri Ranganathaji at Srirangam, and of Janardana Vishnu
at Varkala. His Divine Grace reached Trivandrum on 7 January.
Returning to Bengal prior to the Navadvipa-dhama Parikrama, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta

Sarasvati remained in North India for almost a year before again heading for Madras (this
time with twenty devotees), where he was accorded several formal receptions, the one
conducted upon his arrival being unprecedented. Organized by members of the public in
conjunction with the Municipal Corporation, it consisted of local traditional music parties, a
brass band, kirtana groups, a procession of Boy Scouts, and throngs of people, many waving
flags and festoons and all straining to see and hear this extraordinary saint from Bengal.
Thirty-two guns were fired in Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s honor, and troops led by
Britishers were deployed to regulate the crowd. All the important newspapers of the city
covered the reception and Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati’s subsequent activities in Madras.
On 11 January 1932, under the heading “Gaudiya Matha Guru Maharaja in Madras,” the
Justice reported:
His Divine Grace Paramahamsa Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, the great Acharya of the Gaudiya cult
and President of Sri Vishva-Vaishnava-raja Sabha, arrived in Madras yesterday by the Calcutta Mail.
His Holiness’s party consisted of about thirty persons and included the secretary of the said sabha; his
private secretary; the editor of the Gaudiya; Prof. J. Dasadhikary, Bhakti-Sastri; Prof. H. P. Mandal; and
Mr. G. C. Deb, Retd. Deputy Supdt. of Allahabad.
On 23 January, Srila Sarasvati Thakura revealed the service of Sri Sri Guru-Gauranga–
Gandharvika-Giridhari in the Madras Gaudiya Matha. On 27 January the governor of Madras
Presidency, His Excellency Sir George Frederick Stanley, accompanied by Lady Beatrix and
his private and military secretaries, came to the Madras Gaudiya Matha and laid the
foundation stone for its Sri Krishna Kirtana Hall. His Excellency observed:
In spite of the very short time in which the Mission has been established in Madras, it has obviously made
great headway; it has attracted many influential men to its fold and has succeeded in finding a
permanent site on which to expand. I wish to say what a great pleasure it is for me to meet today the
spiritual head of the Mission, the President Acharya, and I pray that his work and all the members of the
Mission may be blessed by the divine grace which inspires them, and that they may ever progress toward
their object of bringing peace to India and all mankind.
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While visiting Madras, Srila Sarasvati Thakura gave insights into his vast knowledge of
shastra and Vedic culture by explaining to his disciples salient points about the dress of South
Indian brahmanas, who characteristically wore a veshti as lower cloth, and a cotton wrap
across the shoulders or tied at the waist, with the rest of the chest and back bare except for
an upavita. He said that previously the upavita was not used, only the dhoti and upper cloth,
but later it became acceptable for brahmanas to wear an upavita instead of an upper cloth.
When the Bengali devotees expressed surprise that South Indian brahmanis wore their saris
with a kaccha, Srila Sarasvati Thakura stated that this was the correct Vedic method.
After being offered Vyasa-puja in Madras, Srila Sarasvati Thakura headed back toward
Bengal to attend the festival culminating on Gaura-jayanti. En route he halted for another
rousing reception, this time in Ellore, a town in the Madras Presidency. Led by zamindar Rao
Bahadura Mothi Gangaraju, practically the entire populace feted the acharya with a gala
procession of elephants, horses, a band, and hundreds carrying flags, festoons, and
ceremonial spears. Seated in a lavishly bedecked horse-drawn coach, Srila Sarasvati Thakura
passed through packed streets under continuous showers of flowers. At the conclusion of
the parade, he was accorded a highly enthusiastic reception by different religious
associations, each presenting him with panegyrics and certificates of appreciation.
Shortly thereafter, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati again visited South India, stopping briefly
in Madras before proceeding to Coimbatore and several other towns, eventually reaching the
hill station ooty.
Srila Prabhupada in Chennai:

In 1971, when he returned to India after his success with Krishna consciousness in the
Western world, he directed Sri Giriraj Swami to go to Madras and preach activities, resulting
in many enlisting as life patrons. Prabhupada wrote in a letter, “In Madras we wanted to start
a centre and it was almost settled that the Chief Justice (Veeraswamy) would give us a place. So
actually, if it is possible to open a centre in Madras that would be very nice."
Prabhupada visited Madras in February 1972 and delivered lectures. In 1975, a centre was
opened at 50 Aspiran Gardens, 2nd Street, Kilpauk, which was later shifted to Kilpauk Garden
Road. In 1988, the centre moved to T. Nagar, where the congregation of Chennai ISKCON
increased greatly. During a morning walk on 18 Dec 1975, Prabhupada remarked: "Now our
European and American boys are preaching in South India and big, big acaryas have received
them." In Jan 1976, Prabhupada visited Madras again and lectured in AVM Rajeswari Kalyana
57
Mandapam, Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai and in the house of the then Chief Justice Veeraswamy.
Inspired by the positive response to Krishna consciousness in Madras, Prabhupada wrote a
letter to his disciples in Madras: “In Madras we have to construct a very gorgeous temple…
Now immediately find out some land and begin the construction. Never mind what the cost will
be. We are not concerned with the amount of money, but we want a very attractive temple. The
money should come from the gentlemen of Madras."
Ratha Yatra in Chennai:
‘Rathe ca vamanam drstva punar janma na vidyate’

Simply by seeing the Lord on the chariot, one makes advancement for stopping the
repetition of birth and death.
Excerpts from Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Ratha Yatra:

In India, it is a very grand festival and following in the footsteps of Lord Chaitanya, we are now
introducing it in the Western countries. This festival is being observed simultaneously in San
Francisco, London, Buffalo, Melbourne, Tokyo and many other cities. Taking part in these
festivals means taking a step forward in the path of self-realization. rathe ca vamanam
dhrstva punar janma na vidyate. Simply by seeing the Lord on the chariot, one makes
advancement in spiritual life and can stop the repetition of birth and death.
So this Ratha Yatra festival is a mass movement for enlightening people to this Krishna
consciousness movement. We have got many other festivities in Krishna consciousness
movement. We have got Janmashtami, Sri Rama-navami, Dola-yatra, Jhulan-yatra. So if you
kindly take to them, you will always be in Krishna consciousness, and there will be no scope of
your frustration and confusion.
- San Francisco, July 5, 1970
By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada this festival is now being celebrated all over the world. In
the summer of 1967, the city of San Francisco saw the Western world’s first Ratha Yatra.
Many other swamis and yogis journeyed to the West in the past, but none of them had the
vision of Srila Prabhupada: to establish the Krishna conscious culture of ancient India
without watering it down. Srila Prabhupada introduced Lord Jagannatha to the Western
world and also inaugurated the Ratha Yatra ceremony, in its original format. Jayananda dasa,
one of Srila Prabhupada’s early disciples, took an active part in making it a success. For each
of the first four Ratha Yatras, he built the chariots from the ground up.
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Ratha Yatra in other Scriptures:
In the Brahmanda Purana it is said, “A person who sees the Lord’s Ratha Yatra (car festival)
and then stands up to receive the Lord can purge all kinds of sinful results from his body.” In
the Bhavishya Purana, it is said, “Even if born of a lowly family, a person who follows the
Ratha Yatra car when the Deities pass in front or from behind will surely be elevated to the
position of achieving equal opulence with Vishnu.”
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Chennai Divya Desam Temples MAP
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1. Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane
Address: Peyalwar Koil St, Opp. Bharathi Illam, Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600005 (14km North from HKM Chennai center)
Phone: 044 2844 2462
Darshan – 6AM - 12; 4PM – 9PM
Sthalapuranam:
The Deities in this temple is workshipped by Saptarishis, the seven sages (Parthasarathi,
Rukmini, Satyaki, Balarama, Pradyumna and Aniruddha). In Mahabharatha, Krishna was
acting as charioteer for Arjuna, during the war with Kauravas. Krishna did not take any
weapons during the war. During the fight between Arjuna and Bhishma, Krishna was injured
by the arrow from Bhishma. The mark in the image in the temple is believed to follow the
legend. The place is called Allikeni, meaning a pond of lily as it is believed that historically
the place was full of lily ponds. The place is the only place where the presiding deity is
sported with a mustache. As per another legend, the place was once a Tulsi forest. A king
named Sumati wanted to see Vishnu in the form of Parthasarathi and prayed at Srinivasa
temple in Tirupathi. Srinivasa directed the king to visit the temple here built by sage Atreya
and worshipped with another sage called Sumati.
History:
The temple was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, subsequently expanded
by Cholas and later by the Vijayanagara kings in the 15th century. The temple has several
inscriptions dating from the 8th century in Tamil and Telugu presumably from the period of
Dantivarman, who was a Vishnu devotee. Thirumangai Alvar, the 9th century alvar also
attributes the building of temple to the Pallava king. The temple witnessed a major expansion
during the rule of the Vijayanagar kings like Sadasiva Raya, Sriranga Raya and Venkatapati
Raya II (16th century). For a while the East India Company administered the temple.
The pushkarani is called Kairavani and five sacred teerthams are believed to surround the
tank - Indra, Soma, Agni, Meena and Vishnu. Seven rishis - Bhrigu, Atri, Marichi, Markandeya,
Sumati, Saptaroma and Jabali - performed penance here. It is one of the very few shrines in
the country dedicated to Krishna as Parthasarathy, charioteer of Arjuna and to contains
deities of Narasimha, Rama, and Krishna.
Unusually, he is depicted with a prominent moustache and carries a conch in his hand. Also
unusual is the iconographical combination found in the sanctum. Here, Krishna is seen
standing with consort Rukmini, elder brother Balarama, son Pradyumna, grandsons
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Aniruddha and Satyaki. Because of the association of the temple with Krishna, Tiruvallikeni
came to be regarded as the Southern Vrindavana.
Shrines and Deities:

Main Shrines: Sri Krishna as Parthasarathy
Sri Rama, Sri Ranganaathar, Sri Yoga Narasimhar
Devi: Sri Vedavalli Thayar
Sri Anjaneyar
Alvars: Sri Andal, Sri Thirumazhisai Alwar
Other Devotees: Sri Ramanujar
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2a. Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, Mylapore
Address: Kesavaperumal Sannadhi Street, Mylapore, Alamelu Manga Puram,

Sankarapuram, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004 (10km North from HKM Chennai
center)
Phone: 044 2464 3873
Darshan - 6.30AM - 11.00AM; 5.00PM - 8.30PM
Sthalapuranam:
During the churning of the Ocean of milk, Vishnu instructed his consort Lakshmi to reach the
hermitage of Sage Bhrigu. The sage was doing penance to attain a girl child and accepted the
girl Lakshmi the presiding deity, Adi Kesava is believed to have married goddess Bharghavi,
the daughter of sage Bhrigu.
The temple is believed to be the birthplace of Peyazhwar, one of the first three of the twelve
azhwar saints of the 6th-9th century AD. The legendary Azhwar was believed to have come
to earth from the 60 ft (18 m) well called Manikairavam inside the temple premises
Description:
The temple is built in Dravidian architecture occupies around 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) and has
two precincts. It is located in Mylapore, in Chennai. The temple has a rectangular plan
surrounded by 10 ft (3.0 m) high walls, with a 5-tier gopuram, the gateway tower. The deity
is seen in standing posture. The shrine of Garuda faces Adi Kesava. The central shrine is
approached through a worship hall and a narrow Ardha mandapam. The Dhwaja sthamba is
located behind the shrine of Garuda. There are images of Azhwars in the worship hall on both
sides and the shrine of Mayuravalli is located on the western side of the temple in the second
precinct.

Main Shrines: Sri Vishnu as Adi Kesava Perumal, Devi as Mayuravalli Thayar, Sri Rama, Sri
Anjaneya
Others: Sri Garudalwar, Sri Sudarshana
Alvars:Sri Peyalvar, Sri Thirumazhisai Alvar, Sri Andal, Alvars
64
2b. Madhava Perumal Temple, Mylapore
Address: 4Th Lane, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004 (10km North from HKM
Chennai center)
Phone: 044 2498 5112
Description:
The Madhava Perumal Temple is dedicated to Sri Vishnu as Madhava Perumal and Divine
Mother Shakti as Amruthavalli Thayar. The temple has a special shrine for Peyalvar who was
born in Mylapore
Birthplace of Peyazhwar:
Sri Peyalvar was one of the 12 Alvars of the Vaishnavite tradition. Peyalvar was found on a
lily flower in the pond of the Adi Kesava Perumal Temple in Mylapore, Chennai, in Tamil
Nadu. He is considered to be an incarnation of Nandakam, the sword of Sri Vishnu. The
devotional songs of Peyalvar form the Divya Prabandham "Moonram Thiruvandhadhi".

Main Shrines: Sri Vishnu as Madhava Perumal, Devi as Amruthavalli Thayar
Others: Sri Garudalwar, Sri Sudarshana
Alvars:Sri Peyalvar, Sri Thirumazhisai Alvar, Sri Andal, Alvars
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2a. Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Thirumazhisai
Address: Thirumazhisai, Tamil Nadu 600124 (30km NW from HKM Chennai center near to
sriperambudur)
Description:
The Jagannatha Perumal Temple is dedicated to Sri Vishnu as Jagannatha Perumal and Divine
Mother Shakti as Thirumangaivalli Thayar. The temple has a special shrine for Thirumazhisai
Alwar who was born in Thirumazhisai.
Birth place of Thirumazhisai Azhwar:

Thirumazhisai Alvar was one of the 12 Alvars of the Vaishnavite tradition. Thirumazhisai
Alvar was born in Thirumazhisai, Chennai suburb in Tamil Nadu. He is considered to be an
incarnation of Sudarshana, the Chakra of Sri Vishnu.

Sri Vishnu as Jagannatha Perumal
Devi as Thirumangaivalli Thayar
Sri Thirumazhisai Alvar
12 alwars
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2b. Veetrurundha Perumal Temple, Thirumazhisai
Address: Thirumazhisai, Tamil Nadu 600124 (30km NW from HKM Chennai center near to
sriperambudur)
Description:
The Veetrirundha Perumal Temple is dedicated to Sri Vishnu as Veetrirundha Perumal and
Divine Mother Shakti as Shenbagavalli Thayar. The temple has a special shrine for
Thirumazhisai Alwar who was born in Thirumazhisa
Birth place of Thirumazhisai Azhwar:

Thirumazhisai Alvar was one of the 12 Alvars of the Vaishnavite tradition. Thirumazhisai
Alvar was born in Thirumazhisai, Chennai suburb in Tamil Nadu. He is considered to be an
incarnation of Sudarshana, the Chakra of Sri Vishnu. The devotional songs of Thirumazhisai
Alvar form the Divya Prabandham "Thiruchchanda Viruththam"

Sri Vishnu as Veetrirundha Perumal
Devi as Shenbagavalli Thayar, Sri Sudarshana, Sri Garuda, Sri Vishvaksena
12 alwars
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3. Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, Mamallapuram
Address: S Mada St, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104 (42km south from HKM Chennai
Center)
Phone: 98404 08650
Darshan - 6AM - 12; 3PM – 8:30PM
Description:
Once sage Pundarika was performing penance worshiping Vishnu at this place. He collected
1,008 Tamarasa flowers and offered it to lord desiring to see Vishnu in Ksirabdhi Natha form,
his posture in Tirupaarkadal (form in Milk Ocean). Vishnu came in disguise in the form of
sage and asked him for food. The sage went to acquire food for the old man, but while
returning he found that Vishnu remained in the place. Since Vishnu stayed in this place, he
was called Sthalasayana Perumal. The legend is sanctified by Bhoothatazhwar in his verses
in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. As per another legend, sage Agastya is believed to have
visited the temple and he came around the temple and prostrated before the presiding deity.
As per divine intervention, he was advised to remain in Astav-asramam in the northern part
of Pundreeka Theertham (temple tank).
As per another legend, a king by name Hari-kesari-varman used to visit the Nithyakalyana
Perumal temple at Thiruvidandai everyday from Mahabalipuram and wanted to settle there.
Vishnu was pleased by his devotion and appeared as Sthalasayana Perumal at
Mahabalipuram.
Birth place of Bhootathalvar:

Sri Bhoothatalvar is one of the 12 Alvars of the Vaishnavite tradition. Bhoothatalvar was born
in Mamallapuram, Chennai suburb in Tamil Nadu. He is considered to be incarnation of
Kaumodaki, the mace of Sri Vishnu.
History:
The port city came to prominence during the reign of Pallava kings Mahendravarman I and
his son Narasimhavarman I after whom the city is named. The city was a famous port city
during the reign of Medieval Cholas from the 9th century.
During the 14th century, the Vijayanagar king Parankusa shifted the temple to its current
location away from the shore. He is believed to have built the four Mada streets around the
temple. The Shore Temple located on the shore is believed to be the original shrine housing
two images of Shiva on either side of the image of Vishnu.
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Main Shrines: Sri Vishnu as Sthalasayana Perumal
Devi as Nilamangai Thayar
Devi: Sri Lakshmi - (Narasimhar)
Sri Anjaneyar
Others: Sri Garudan
Alvars: Sri Bhoothathalvar, Sri Andal
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4. Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, Sriperumbudur
Address: SH 57, Ramanujar Nagar, Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu 602105 (45km west from
HKM Chennai Center)
Phone: 044 2716 2236
Darshan - 6:30AM - 12; 4PM - 8:30PM
Description:
Sriperumbudur is the birthplace of great Vaishnava acarya Sripad Ramanujacarya. It is
midway between Kanchipuram (32 km) and Chennai on the Chennai-Bangalore Highway
(NH 4). On the way to Kanchipuram a huge arch can be seen with an inscription ‘Bhagavat
Ramanujar Avatharitha Sriperumbudur’, birthplace of Srimad Ramanuja, the great
philosopher of Vaishnavism.
Sripad Ramanujacarya appreared in 1017 AD in Sriperumbudur to Kesava Somayaji and
Gandhimathi couple. The elder uncle of the child, Sri Tirumalai Nambi, was serving in
Tirupati temple. As the child looked like Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord
Ramacandra, he named the child Ilaya. ‘Ilaya’ means younger. Anujan means younger
brother. As he is attributed to Sri Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Rama, he was
named Ramanuja - meaning the younger brother of Lord Rama. Sri Ramanuja is also praised
as Yathiraja. ‘Yathi’ means ascetic and ‘raja’ stands for leadership.
There is a mandap in front of the temple where Sri Ramanuja was born. During the 10 day
Chithirai festival in April-May, Acharya graces from this mandap. On His birth star day, he is
placed in a cradle as a child and fed with milk in a conch. During this festival, the Parivattam
and garland prasadam is brought from 36 Vaishnava shrines (Divya Desas) as an offering to
the Acharya.
The Adi Kesava Perumal Temple is dedicated to Sri Vishnu as Adi Kesava Perumal and Divine
Mother Shakti as Nadavalli Thayar.
Birth place of Acharya Ramanujar:
Shines and Deities:

Main Shrines:
Sri Vishnu as Adi Kesava Perumal
Devi as Nadavalli Thayar
Others: Sri Ramanujar, Sri Garudan
70
5. Ranganatha Perumal and Neervanan Perumal Temple,
Thiruneermalai
Address: Tiruneermalai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600044 (20km from HKM Chennai center)
Phone: 044 2273 0484
Darshan - 8 AM- 12; 4PM – 8PM
Description:
There are two temples, one on the top of a hill and one on the base of the hill. The
Thiruneermalai Perumal Temple on the top of the hill is dedicated to Sri Vishnu as
Ranganatha Perumal. The temple at the foot of the hill is dedicated to Sri Vishnu as
Neervanan Perumal.
The Neervanan Perumal Temple at Thiruneermalai, Chennai suburb is one of the Divya
Desams in Tamil Nadu. There are two temples in Thiruneermalai; one at the hilltop dedicated
to Sri Ranganathar, Sri Narasimhar and Sri Trivikrama; and the other at the hill base
dedicated to Sri Neervanan Perumal (Sri Rama). It is said that sage Valmiki after worshipping
the three forms of sri Vishnu at the hilltop came down to the hill base and meditated on Sri
Rama. Sri Vishnu gave darshan to sage Valmiki in the form of Sri Rama with Devi Lakshmi as
Janaki, Adisesha as Lakshmana, conch and discus as Bharata and Satrughna, Viswaksena as
Sugreeva and Garudan as Hanuman.

Main Shrines:
Sri Vishnu as Ranganatha Perumal(hill top temple)
Sri Vishnu as Sri Narasimhar (hill top temple)
Sri Vishnu as Sri Trivikrama (hill top temple)
Sri Vishnu as Neervanan Perumal (hill base temple)
Sri Ramar (hill base temple)
Devi: Ranganayaki Thayaar (hill top temple)
Animamalarmangai Thayaar (hill base temple)
Bhakta Hanuman (hill base temple)
Alvars: Andal (hill base temple)
71
6. Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur
Address: Mandapam Street, Thiruninravur, Tamil Nadu 602024 (40km NW from HKM
Chennai Center)
Phone: 044 2639 0434
Darshan – 8AM - 12; 5PM - 8.30PM
Description:
The Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple is dedicated to Sri Vishnu as Bhaktavatsala Perumal and
Divine Mother Shakti as Devi Ennaiperra Thayar.
The Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple at Thiruninravur, Chennai suburb is one of the Divya
Desams in Tamil Nadu. It is said that Devi Lakshmi did penance here to attain Vishnu. Also
Varuna Deva worshipped Sri Vishnu here and got his darshan.

Main Shrines: Sri Vishnu as Bhaktavatsala Perumal
Devi as Ennaiperra Thayar
Sri Sudarshana, Sri Garuda, Sri Vishvaksena
12 alwars
72
7. Nitya Kalyana Perumal Temple, Thiruvidanthai, Kovalam
Address: Thiruvidanthai, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 603112 (27km South from HKM
Chennai Center, 18km before Sthalashayana perumal temple)
Phone: 044 2747 2235
Darshan - 6AM - 12; 3PM – 8PM
Description:
The Nitya Kalyana Perumal Temple is dedicated to Sri Vishnu as Nitya Kalyana Perumal and
Divine Mother Shakti as Komalavalli Thayar.
The Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple at Thiruvidanthai, in Kovalam, Chennai suburb is one
of the Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu. It is said that Sri Nithya Kalyana Perumal married the
360 daughters of sage Galava (on the request of the sage), one on each day of the year. On
the final day, Sri Vishnu combined all the daughters into one and placed her on his left side.
Thiruvidanthai is a Varaha Kshetram where Sri Vishnu assumed the face of a Varaha (boar).

Main Shrines: Sri Vishnu as Nitya Kalyana Perumal
Devi as Komalavalli Thayar and Other Alvars
73
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79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
Çré Çré Ñaò-gosvämy-añöaka
Eight Prayers to the Six Gosvamis by Çréniväsa Äcärya
Text One
kåñëotkértana-gäna-nartana-parau premämåtämbho-nidhé
dhérädhéra-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau püjitau
çré-caitanya-kåpä-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bhärävahantärakau
vande rüpa-sanätanau raghu-yugau çré-jéva-gopälakau
Text Two
nänä-çästra-vicäraëaika-nipuëau sad-dharma-saàsthäpakau
lokänäà hita-käriëau tri-bhuvane mänyau çaraëyäkarau
rädhä-kåñëa-padäravinda-bhajanänandena mattälikau
Text Three
çré-gauräìga-guëänuvarëana-vidhau çraddhä-samåddhy-anvitau
päpottäpa-nikåntanau tanu-bhåtäà govinda-gänämåtaiù
änandämbudhi-vardhanaika-nipuëau kaivalya-nistärakau
Text Four
tyaktvä türëam açeña-maëòala-pati-çreëéà sadä tuccha-vat
bhütvä déna-gaëeçakau karuëayä kaupéna-kanthäçritau
gopé-bhäva-rasämåtäbdhi-laharé-kallola-magnau muhur
88
Text Five
küjat-kokila-haàsa-särasa-gaëäkérëe mayüräkule
nänä-ratna-nibaddha-müla-viöapa-çré-yukta-våndävane
rädhä-kåñëam ahar-niçaà prabhajatau jévärthadau yau mudä
Text Six
saìkhyä-pürvaka-näma-gäna-natibhiù kälävasäné-kåtau
nidrähära-vihärakädi-vijitau cätyanta-dénau ca yau
rädhä-kåñëa-guëa-småter madhurimänandena sammohitau
Text Seven
rädhä-kuëòa-taöe kalinda-tanayä-tére ca vaàçévaöe
premonmäda-vaçäd açeña-daçayä grastau pramattau sadä
gäyantau ca kadä harer guëa-varaà bhäväbhibhütau mudä
Text Eight
he rädhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-süno kutaù
çré-govardhana-kalpa-pädapa-tale kälindé-vane kutaù
ghoñantäv iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair mahä-vihvalau
Çré Çré Çikñäñöaka
Text One
ceto-darpaëa-märjanaà bhava-mahä-dävägni-nirväpaëaà
çreyaù-kairava-candrikä-vitaraëaà vidyä-vadhü-jévanam
änandämbudhi-vardhanaà prati-padaà pürëämåtäsvädanaà
sarvätma-snapanaà paraà vijayate çré-kåñëa-saëkértanam
Text Two
nämnäm akäri bahudhä nija-sarva-çaktis
taträrpitä niyamitaù smaraëe na kälaù
etädåçé tava kåpä bhagavan mamäpi
89
durdaivam édåçam ihäjani nänurägaù
Text Three
tåëäd api sunécena
taror api sahiñëunä
amäninä mänadena
kértanéyaù sadä hariù
Text Four
na dhanaà na janaà na sundaréà
kavitäà vä jagad-éça kämaye
mama janmani janmanéçvare
bhavatäd bhaktir ahaituké tvayi
Text Five
ayi nanda-tanuja kiìkaraà
patitaà mäà viñame bhavämbudhau
kåpayä tava päda-paìkaja-
sthita-dhülé-sadåçaà vicintaya
Text Six
nayanaà galad-açru-dhärayä
vadanaà gadgada-ruddhayä girä
pulakair nicitaà vapuù kadä
tava-näma-grahaëe bhaviñyati
Text Seven
yugäyitaà nimeñeëa
cakñuñä prävåñäyitam
çünyäyitaà jagat sarvaà
govinda-viraheëa me
Text Eight
äçliñya vä päda-ratäà pinañöu mäm
adarçanän marma-hatäà karotu vä
yathä tathä vä vidadhätu lampaöo
mat-präëa-näthas tu sa eva näparaù
90
Närada Muni Bäjäy Véëä
Text One
närada muni, bäjäy véëä
'rädhikä-ramaëa'-näme
näma amani, udita haya,
bhakata-gétä-säme
Text Two
amiya-dhärä, bariñe ghana,
çravaëa-yugale giyä
bhakata jana, saghane näce,
bhoriyä äpana hiyä
Text Three
mädhuré-püra, äsava paçi',
mätäya jagata-jane
keho vä kände, keho vä näce,
keho mäte mane mane
Text Four
païca-vadana, närade dhori',
premera saghana rol
kamaläsana, näciyä bole,
'bolo bolo hari bolo'
Text Five
sahasränana, parama-sukhe,
'hari hari' boli' gäya
näma-prabhäve, mätilo viçva,
näma-rasa sabe päya
Text Six
çré-kåñëa-näma, rasane sphuri',
pürä'lo ämär äça
çré-rüpa-pade, yäcaye ihä,
bhakativinoda-däsa
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Chennai Ratha Yatra - 2

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Chennai Ratha Yatra - 2

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CHENNAI RATHA YATRA 2019

Divya Desam Temples in Mahabalipuram

Divya Desam Temples in Kanchipuram:

1. Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Chennai 55

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Kanchipuram

Sri Chaitanya Charitamrta, Madhya 9.68-70

çiva-käïcé äsiyä kaila çiva daraçana

Sri Ramanuja Acharya in Kanchipuram:

Be as it may, at Srirangam Sri Yamunachariya by an earlier intuition was awaiting the

At Srirangam an assembly of senior devotees with the administration of Srirangam temple

1. Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple

Address: Nethaji Nagar, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Lord Brahma’s penance and Appearance of Sri Varadaraja Perumal

1. Sri Ranganatha Swamy in Srirangam,

Ramanujar Sannidhi at Sevilimedu

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deties

Sannadhis (Other Altars):

Pushkarani: Sri Varadharajar Temple - Kanchipuram

Address: Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Thaayar : Komalavalli Nachiyaar.

Address: Chinna Kanchipuram, Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Pastime 1: In continuation of pastime from above, when Brahma continued performing

Thaayar: Alarmelmangai Thayaar, Other name is Padmasani.

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Address: Vilakadi Koil St, Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Thaayar : Maragathavalli Thayaar.

Pushkarani: Saraswathi Theertham.

Address: Vaigundaperumal Koil St, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Sri Vaikunda Perumal Temple is the 56th Divya Desam

History and Architecture:

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Thaayar : Sri Vaikuntha valli.

There are 3 partitions in this temple in Astaanga Vimaana style.

chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta-vamana

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Thaayar : Amudhavalli (Amirthavalli).

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Thaayar: The Thaayar found in this Sthalam is Nilamangai Valli.

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Thaayar: The Thaayar found here is Komalavalli (Thamaraiyaal) Naachiyar.

Address: Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Thaayar : Padmamani Naachiyaar, Ramamani Nachiyaar.

Address: 24 A, Sanathi St, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Address: Melkathirpur, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Address: Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavata Purana) Canto 12, chapter 13, verse 16 describes:

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Thaayar : Ner Oruvar Illa valli (Nilaatthingal Thunda thaayar).

Address: Pandavaperumal Koil St, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Thaayar : Rukmani and Sathyabhama.

Moolavar and Thaayar: Deities

Thaayar: Maragathavalli Thayaar.

This Sthalam is under the control of Ahobila Mutt Jeeyar.

Sannadhis Altars: Seperate sannadhis for Boopalarayar, Manavalan, Lakshmi Narasimar,

Thaayar: Sudhavalli Thaayar. Also called as "Ennai Petra Thaayar".

Sri Koorathazhwan Adikesava Perumal Temple at Kooram

Srila Bhaktisiddhantha Sarasvati Prabhupada in Chennai:

Srila Sarasvati Thakura and company reached Madras on 2 January 1931.