Visit to Divyadesams in Kanchipuram

When Sathyan met with a severe road accident in the Year 1977, he was in Malar Hospital in an unconscious position due to head injury, friends and relatives made their sincere prayers for his recovery with their own deities. Raji and Ladavaram Ravi made a prayer to Chakrathazhwar at Varadharajar Temple in Chinna Kanjivaram for his recovery and vowed to perform Thirumanjanam. Sathyan recovered due to these prayers. In the same Year they performed the Thirumanjanam on a Sunday and we participated in it. On that day, after the Thirumanjanam, myself and Mythili made a vow to perform similar one as our gratitude to the deity. But this has been postponed for one reason or the other for all these Years. We have been destined to perform this Thirumanjanam on the New Year day i.e. on 2nd January 2011 through the able assistance of Mr. Sudharsanam who was the colleague of Sathyan in Royal Sundaram. Vidya who normally alergetic to the road journey, agreed to join us in the trip to Kanchipuram. In our anxiety to visit all the divyadesams in the Country, we decided to take this opportunity to visit the divyadesams in & around Kanchipuram, numbering 15 in total. Parthan and Bhanu also joined us besides Vidya’s mother Chandra. Venkat and family did not join us for the visit to divyadesams due to preoccupation and joined us for the Thirumanjanam only.

We left on the morning of 1st January 2011 and visited all the 15 divyadesams before the night. Sudharsanam brother Varadhan was guiding us for these visits.

I am happy to make this travelogue for the benefit of the readers with sthalapuranams of these divyadesams. I am not the author of these details, but collected from various portals devoted for the subject.
Kanchipuram is said to be one of the major city in South India, where lots of Shaivam and Vaishnavam temples are found, roughly 108 in numbers.

VARADARAJAR TEMPLE.
Sthalapuranams :
Lord Brahma wanted to get the darshan of Sriman Narayanan in Chathur Bujams (with four hands) and because of this, he did a tapas towards him. First the Perumal gave his seva in the form of Theertham, Which is now called as "Pushkaram". Next he gave the seva in the form of Forest, which in now called as "Naimisaranyam". But still, Lord Brahma was not satisfied. At that time, he heard an Asarari (an unknown voice from heaven) which said that to get the darshan of Sri Varadharajar, he must do the great Ashvametha yagam (Sathya viradam) for hundred times. But, Lord Brahma felt so depressed that doesn’t have time or the patience to perform 100 Ashvametha yagam. Finally as per Sriman Narayanan, he performed one Ashvametha yagam which is equivalent to 100 Ashvametha yagam. It is said that doing one Ashvametha yagam in Kanchipuram is equivalent to 100 times of doing Ashvametha yagam somewhere else.
Brahma devan started the yagam and from the fire of the yagam, Sri Varadharajar came out and gave his darshan in which way Lord Brahma wanted.
"Ka" - means Brahma and "Anjitham" - means who was worshipped. Since, Brahma worshipped Emperumaan as Varadharajar; this sthalam is called "Kanchi". The temple is situated in Vishnu Kanchi which is also Known as "Chinna (or) Little Kanchipuram" and in the Big (or) Shiva Kanchipuram, all Shiva temples are found.
Ajodhya’s King Sakaranis, son Asamanjan and his wife as a result of Sabham, they were changed to Lizards and as a result of worshipping Kanchi Varadharajar as said by Ubamanyu, they two got their original positions. Both these two lizards can be seen in this sthalam in a small sannadhi. It is said on touching this lizards, all kinds of problems and diseases are cured. Still now all the bhaktas come to this temple and worship these lizards to get their problems cured.
It is said that the Narasimhar Sannadhi is first sannadhi to be built in this temple
The theertham of this sthalam is "Sasha theertham" and is found along the north side of Nootrukkal Mandapam (100 pillared Mandapam). All along this theertham, Aadhiseshan did tapas.
When Udayavar Ramanujar lived in Kanchipuram, he worshipped and did Thirumanjanam (the divine bath for the Perumal) and for this, he used to get the water from the well which is 2 miles away. He was awarded with the name as "Ethiraja Maamuni" by Sri Varadharaja Perumal itself, when he became the Saint.
When talking about Udayavar Ramanujar, his student and followers Koorathalwar's Guru bakthi (respecting and doing the needful for his teacher (or) Guru) has to be explained.
Once in the Chozha empire, Nallooran, who was one of the members in that empire, was against Vaishnavam and because of this, ordered to pluck off Sri Raamaanuja’s eyes. But, Koorathalwar’s for his Guru, asked that his eyes can be taken off and not his Guru's eyes. Then he sung a great devotional poem named "Sri Varadharaja Sthavam" on Sri Kanchi Varadharajar in his sannadhi. At that time, Sri Varadharajar gave his seva and asked him what he wants. But, Koorathalwan said that he doesn’t need Oonakkan (Ordinary human eyes) instead, he need the Gnanakkan (Eyes which has a broader vision of good thought) so that he can be able to spread Vaishnavam. This is one of the said story when talking about the sthalapuranams



Ashtabuyagaram - Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple,


This sthalam is very close to Sri Yathothakaari Temple & Varadharajar temple/.
The Perumal in this sthalam is Sri Aadhikesava Perumal and he is seen with 8 hands. He holds Chakaram, Sword, a Flower and an Arrow on the 4 right hands and Sangu, Bow, Ked yam (which is used to protect while fighting using a sword) and Gadha (Which can be found along with Hanuman and Bhima).
The sthalapuranams of this temple is also associated with that of Saraswathi and Lord Brahman. After all the demons were killed by Sriman Narayanan, who were sent by Saraswathi to destroy the yagam done by Brahma she finally sent a ferocious Sabham (snake). Sriman Narayanan to kill the dangerous snake, took the form of Ashtabula Perumal holding 8 different weapons, And using all these weapons, he killed the snake sent by Saraswathi. The snake is found on the Vaayu end of the yaaga sala as "Sarabeswaran" in this temple. This Perumal gave His prathyaksham (seva) for Gajendran, the elephant.
The Weapons like sword, bow, Gadha etc., found in the hands of the perumal is said to be against the evil and helps for good things. All the eight things (or) Aayudham (weapon) found on the hands of the Perumal is called as "Divya Aayudha Aazhwargal".
When coming across the sculptures found in this sthalam, we can see that this temple was built by Thondaiman Chakravarthy who is popularly named as Vayiramoghan.
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Sri Aadikesava Perumal. Other names are Gajendravaradhan, Chakrathaarar. Moolavar in standing position facing West direction Prathyaksham for Gajendran, an Elephant. It is believed that only in this sthalam, Gajendra Moksham happened.

Thaayar
Alarmelmangai Thayaar. Other name is Padmasani.


Thiru Vekka - Sri Yathothakaari Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram


Sthalapuranams :
When Thirumizhisai alwar was living in Kanchipuram, a very old lady (Daasi) used to clean his house daily and did this as a small favour for him.
On becoming happy on the favour she is doing daily to him, Alwar changed her from old lady to a beautiful woman. After this, wondering at the beauty, the king married the woman and she became the queen of the place. On hearing the secret of an old lady becoming a beautiful woman, he was in an eager mood to meet Thirumizhisai Alwar. Kani Kannan, who was great follower of Thirumazhisai Alwar, helped and followed him and his teachings. The king called up Kani Kannan and asked that Thirumizhisai Alwar should come to his palace and should sing a poem on praising him. On hearing this, Kani Kannan said that all the poems and songs that comes from the mouth of Thirumizhisai Alwar belongs to Srivaikundanathan and it is impossible for him to come to the palace and sung a poem on praising the king. On hearing this, he showed lots of gold ornaments, silver items, Diamonds etc to Kani Kannan and since he being very close to Thirumizhisai Alwar, at least he could sing a poem on praising him. But, Kani Kannan refused to do so and said he will not sing any song on praising the humans. The King got angry on hearing this and ordered him to get out from Kanchi at once. Kani Kannan went to Thirumizhisai Alwar and explained all about that had happened in the palace and prepared to start getting out from Kanchipuram. On seeing this, Thirumizhisai Alwar also prepared to start from Kanchi leaving along with Kani Kannan. So, he too started along with him. While they were going, he sung a song on the Yadhothakari Perumal as Kani Kannan is leaving Kanchipuram, he is also going along with him and Alwar asks the Perumal to get up from his Aadhisheshan, which is the bed for him and roll it and wants him to quit from Kanchi.
The Perumal also got out from Kanchipuram following the Alwar and Kani Kannan. On hearing this, the king and all the people of Kanchi, begged Kani Kannan to return back to Kanchipuram.
And after this, Kani Kannan along with Thirumizhisai Alwar came back to Kanchipuram. When returning, Alwar sung a song asking that Kani Kannan has returned back to Kanchi and he want the Perumal to go and sleep in his Aadhiseshan in the temple. On hearing this, Sriman Narayanan comes back to Thiruvekka temple and gives his sayana kols seva. Since the Perumal obeyed the words of Thirumizhisai Alwar and did what he said, he is called as "Sonna Vannam seitha perumal". Sonna vannam seitha means obeying and doing the same what was told to him. This is one of the purana story said about this sthalam.
Once in Brahma logam, there was an argument that who is greater between Naa Magal (or) Saraswathi and Poo Magal (Sri Lakshmi). Brahma said that it is Poomagal - Lakshmi Thaayar who is found on the heart of Sri Vishnu is the greatest. Next, Saraswathi asked which river is the big river. But, unfortunately Brahma answered that the greatest river is River Ganga which is originating from the feet of Sri Vishnu On hearing this, Saraswathi got angry and disappeared and went along the banks of river Ganga and started doing Tapas.
Naan mughan, Brahma wanted to do the great Ashvametha Yagam in Kanchipuram and wanted Saraswathi to be along with him. So, he sent his son Vashistan to make Saraswathi come back to him. But, Saraswathi refused to come along with him. After this, Brahma devan started the Yagam keeping Savithri and all of his wives with him.
On seeing this, the Asuraas (the Demon) wanted to destroy the Yagam and went to Saraswathi and made her angry by telling her what is happening. She got angry on Brahma devan and started as "Vegavathi" river along the south direction and flow across the place of the Yagam to destroy it . But, Sriman Narayanan wanted to stop Vegavathi river and protect the Yagam from her. So, he stopped the river by lying across the river on Aadhiseshan. Because of this, this perumal is also named as "Vega Seth".
This Vega Seth then became Vegavanai and then finally named as "Vekkanai" and finally became "Vekka".
In this sthalam only, Manavala Maamunigal expalined his "Sri Bashyam" to the world.
Specials:
• In the Pushkarani of this temple only, Poigai Alwar was born.
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Yathothakaari. Other names are Sonnavannam seitha Perumal and Vegasethu. Moolavar is Kidantha Kolam (Bhujanga Sayanam), facing in West direction.
Prathyaksham for Brahma Devan, Poigai, Bootham Alwar, and Kanikannan.
This perumal is found in Sleeping posture from right side to left. This is also one of the specialities of this Shetram.

Thiru Ooragam (Ooragathaan) - Sri Ulagalantha perumal Temple, Kanchipuram


This Divyadesam is found in Big Kanchipuram and is closely situated near to Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple.
Sthalapuranams :
Mahabali Chakravarthy, the grandson of Prahaladhan, did a very big yagam (or) homam to get the Devendra logam, which is referred to as "Swargham". But, the lokam belongs to Indiran, who is the King of that lokam. Being a great devotee of Sriman Narayanan, he was capitulated by temptation and decided to acquire the Devendra Lokam. To make him understand and to punish him, Sriman Narayanan took the Vaamana avathar (dwarf) and asked for 3 feets of his land. On hearing this, Mahabali said that he can take 3 feets of his land. But as a surprise to Mahabali, Sriman Narayanan who came there as Vaamanan (dwarf) grew up in height and his head touched the sky. Using the first step, he measured the sky and earth and with the second feet or step, he covered the heaven and more tha it. Finally, he asked for the third feet of land. For this, Mahabali surrenders his own head as the third feet and was finally blessed by Sriman Narayanan.
When his head was stamped by Emperumaan feet, he could not get the darshan of Thirivikrama. So, he prayed for his great Ulagalantha darshan. Since, he could not be given the Thirivikrama darshan, the Perumal gave his seva as Aadhiseshan (Ooragathaan) which can be seen next to Ulagalantha Perumal.
The moral that is explained by the Perumal is that all the things that are in exisit in this world belongs to Emperumaan, Sriman Narayanan and this is Cleary explained through the Ulagalantha (Thirivikrama) Perumal.
All the living things (Jeeva raasis) and its Aathmaas belong to the Emperumaan feet and it is explained through "Thiru Ooragathaan".
Mahabali Chakravarthy comes along the family of BhakthA Prahaladhan, a great devotee of Sri Vishnu. Inspite of coming through that kind of family, he wanted to rule the Deva lokam, which belongs to Indiran. And at the same time, Devendran - Indiran wanted to rule all over the world. So to teach both of them a lesson, he took the Thirivikrama kolam, thereby reducing the leadership and over head of Mahabali and on the other hand, by raising his feet and measuring over the sky, he states to Devendran that Deva Lokam also belongs to him.
In this Sthalam, Ulagalantha Perumal, Thirivikrama gave his Prathyaksham for Ooragam, who is the Aadhiseshan. Both Aadhiseshan and Thirivikrama are the other ways the Emperumaan giving seva in this sthalam.


Specials:
• Inside this Sthalam, other 3 divyadesams namely, Neeragam, Karagam and Kaaravannam are found. The Vimanam and Pushkarani are found to be so damaged.
• In Thai month (mid of January month to mid of February month) a very big Utsavam is done.
• Garuda seva is the special Vaaganam of this temple.
• Doing Thirumanjanam (divine bath to Perumal) for Ooragathaan is said to cure all sorts of problems.


Thiru Neeragam (Neeragathaan) - Sri Jagadeeshwarar Temple


This Divyadesam is found inside Ooragathan Temple.
Sthalapuranams :
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 Neeragathan" found along with "Nilamangai valli Thaayar".
All the water rushes towards the place where there is a small groove or hole. Like the same way, Emperumaan flows into the hearts of bhaktas and and fill their soul with bhakthi.
Neer, the water is said to be cool in nature. Like wise, Emperumaan 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 explaining this, he tells both the Aathma and the human body to get purified and attain the Moksha, we need his help and the support.
Even if a small hole is found in the boat, the water will flow in. Like wise, 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 doesn’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 of the regions. It doesn’t consider any raised lands or the lowered regions to flow. Likewise, infront of Sriman Narayanan, all are one and there is no higher than the other.
Moolavar and Thaayar:

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.
The Perumal is Prathyaksam for Akroorar.

Thaayar
The Thaayar found in this Sthalam is Nilamangai Valli.




Thiru Neeragam (Neeragathaan) - Sri Jagadeeshwarar Temple,


This Divyadesam is found inside Ooragathan Temple.
Sthalapuranams :
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 Neeragathan" found along with "Nilamangai valli Thaayar".
All the water rushes towards the place where there is a small groove or hole. Like the same way, Emperumaan flows into the hearts of bhaktas and fill their soul with bhakthi.
Neer, the water is said to be cool in nature. Like wise, Emperumaan 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 explaining this, he tells both the Aathma and the human body to get purified and attain the Moksha; we need his help and the support.
Even if a small hole is found in the boat, the water will flow in. Like wise, 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 doesn’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 of the regions. It doesn’t consider any raised lands or the lowered regions to flow. Likewise, infront of Sriman Narayanan, all are one and there is no higher than the other.
Moolavar and Thaayar:

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.
The Perumal is Prathyaksam for Akroorar.

Thaayar
The Thaayar found in this Sthalam is Nilamangai Valli.

Thiru Kaaragam - Sri Karunakara Perumal Temple,


This Divyadesam is also found inside Ooragathan Temple,
Sthalapuranams :
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 any return, the clouds give the rain to the world. Since, Karunakara Perumal resembles as Kaar, the clouds, he doesn’t expects anything from his bhaktas but he only the pure bhakthi from them.
Since, the Perumal is not expecting from anything but only, the pure bhakthi and show Karunai (Courtesy), the Perumal is called "Karunakara Perumal".
Sometimes, the sky doesn’t gives rain. It will test the earth and finally gives rain for the earth to flourish. Like 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.
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Sri Karunakara Perumal. He is found in Standing position facing his thirumugham towards South direction.
Prathyaksam for Kaasha Maharishi.

Thaayar : Padmamani Naachiyaar, Ramamani Naachiyaar.
Thirukkaar Vaanam - Sri Thirukkaar Vaanar Temple,


This Divyadesam is also found inside the Praharams of Ooragathan Temple, Kanchipuram.
Sthalapuranams :
The Perumal in this sthalam is Thirukkaar Vaanar. Kaar means clouds and Neer means rain (or) water. The 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 clouds which gives the rain for the humans and all things to survive. So, this perumal is called as "Thirukkaar Vaanakkalvar".
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Perumal found here is Sri Kalvar and he is found in Standing position facing West direction.
Prathyaksham for Gowri Parvathi Devi.

Thaayar
The Thaayar found here is Komalavalli (Thamaraiyaal) Naachiyar.
Thiruparameshwara Vinnagaram - Sri Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram


This is one of the Divyadesams found in Big Kanchipuram. Sthlapuranam :
Veerochana King, who ruled Vaitherpa Desam doesn’t have any children. So he prayed to God Kailasanathar in Kanchipuram. After that, two boy childrens named Pallavan and Vallavan born. These two childrens are said to be the "Dwarabalagars" (two devotees of Sriman Narayanan and can be on either side in the entrance of Moolavar Sannadhi).
When these two where doing Ashwametha Yagnam for Punniyakoti vimanamat Vaayu end, Perumal Sri Emperumaan gave his seva in Irundha thirukkolam. He gave his seva as "Paramapadha - Sri Vaikundanathan". Because of this, the sthalam is said as "Vaikunda Perumal Koil". This sthalam also tells us how the vaishnavam and Saivam relationship should be treated. Veerochana king worshipped Lord shiva for the child, but it was the Vishnu Bhaktha who were born. So, it clearly tells that there should be no any fights (or) misunderstanding between the caste and all the Gods are said to be treated as a single one.
The Vimanam of the temple is Ashtanga Vimanam. In the ground level (Nilai), Sriman Narayanan gives seva in Irundha Kolam, in the middle Nila, he gives seva in Kidantha kolam and in the top Nilai, he gives seva in Nindra Kolam and there is no poojas done for him.
Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Paramapatha Nathan. Also called as "Vaikunthanathan".

Moolavar in sitting position facing west direction. Prathyaksham for Pallava King.

Thaayar : Sri Vaikuntha valli. Separate sannathi for Thaayar.



Thiru Pavala Vannan - Sri Pavala Vannar Temple, Kanchipuram


This sthalam is found near Railway station and is close towards Sri Kamakshi Amman temple in Big Kanchipuram.

It is said that both the Pacchai and Pavala Vannan perumal has to be worshipped, without leaving any one of them. Opposite to Pavala Vannar Sannadhi, is the Pacchai Vannar Sannadhi found. Inspite of the Mangalasasanam not done in Pacchai Vannar sannadhi, both these two temples are considerded to be the single and has to be worshipped as a single Divya desam.

Pacchai vannar, who is also called as "Maragatha vannar" explains in this sthalam that he is the hamsam of Lord Shiva and Pavala Vannar as the hamsam of Para sakthi. So it is said that by worshipping these two sthalams at the same time, we worship both Lord Shivan and Parashakti.
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Pavala Vannar. Also called as "Paramapatha Nathan" - Moolavar in Irundha Thirukkolam on Aadhiseshan facing his thirumugham towards West Direction.

Prakthayaksham : For Brighu Maharishi, Aswini Devathai and for Parvathi.

Thaayar : Sri Pavala Valli. Seperate sannathi for Thaayar.





Thiru Paadagam - Sri Pandava Thoodhar Temple,



This Divyadesam is also considered to be an important Divyadesam in Kanchipuram. It is situated near to Ekambareshwarar temple in Big Kanchipuram. It is near to Gangai Kondaan Mandapam. We wonder over the magnificent size of the moolavar and one has to see the face of the deity by raising his head. We are unable to imagine how the granite stone was brought to the temple site in those days when the logistics was never anywhere near to the modern facilities available for transport. It should be the fact that the deity was sculptured first and then the entire garpagruham was built around the moolavar.
Sthalapuranam :
When Janameyjayan was hearing the Mahabharatha story from Vaisambhayanar, he heared that once Sri Krishnar went to Duriyodhanan as Thoodhuvan - Diplomat (a person who is sent to compramise and to avoid the war). Sri Krishnar went to Hasthinapuram to compramise on war. But, Duriyodhanan wanted to kill Sri Krishnar which is said to be against the Dharman.
So, he dug a big pit under the chair where Sri Krishna was made to sit. Inside the pit, lots of his soldiers were placed to kill Sri Krishna. It is Sriman Narayanan who looks at the action performed by after each and every Jeevathamas. So, he knew plan of Duriyodhanan. But, opposite to it, Sri Krishna gave them his Vishwaroopa Dharshan to all.
After hearing all this, Janameyjayan wanted to get the Vishwaroopa Dharshan of Sriman Narayanan as He gave the seva for all in the Duriyodhan's palace. So, he started to do the Ashwametha yagam. And at tha end of the yagam, Sriman Narayanan gave his seva in Vishwaroopa Dharsanam as "Pandava thoothan".
According to Dharma, when a person is sent as Thoodhuvan, he should be given proper respect and no harm should be done towards him.
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Pandava Thoodhar. He is found in Irundha (sitting) thirukkolam, facing East direction.
Prathyaksham for Janamejayan and Hareetha Munivar.

Thaayar :
Rukmani and Sathya Bama


Nilathingal Thundam - Sri Nilathingal Thundathan Temple,


This Divyadesam is situated as a small sannadhi inside Ekambareshwarar temple in Big Kanchipuram.
Sthalapuranams :
When Parvathi was doing Tapas beneath a mango tree, Lord Shiva wanted to test the strength of her tapas. So, he fired the Mango tree. At that time, Paarvathi sought the help of Vaamanar. After hearing the plea of Paarvathi, Sri Vaamanar with four hands with Sangu in one hand and Chakram on the other, took out the Chandran (Moon) from the head of Lord Shivan and with the cool rays out of it he made the fire cool and made the Mango tree grow once again.
After this, Paarvathi went back to do the Tapas. But, Lord Shivan desired again to test her and sent Ganga, the river. When she came with great speed to disturb the tapas of Paarvathi, Hanga was explained that both of them are sisters. Inspite of hearing this, Ganga doesnt want to stop and tried to destroy her and her tapas. At that time, Parvathi made a Shiva Lingam out of sand and hugged it towards her. At that time, both Shiva and Paarvathi got mixed to each other. This is the Sthala puranam of this temple.
Since, Sriman Narayanan took the Chandran (Moon) from Lord Shiva's head in order to help Parvathi and the Perumal is called as "Nila thingal thundathan" and so the sthalam is called as "Thiru Nilathingal Thundam".
This Divyadesam is found inside Ekambareswar temple..
The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Nilathingal Thundathan. He is also known as "Chandirra Chuda Perumal".
Moolavar in Standing position facing West direction. Prathyaksham for Lord Shivan.



ThirukKalvanoor - Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple,


This Divyadesam is situated inside Sri Kamakshi Amman temple in Big Kanchipuram. It is situated on the right side of the Garbagraham of Ambaal (Moolavar sannadhi).
Sthalapuranam :
Once, when Lord Shivan and Devi Paarvathi had a Quarrel between them and as a result Lord Shivan gave Sabham to Paarvathi and she pleaded for a salvation Lord Shivan asked her to make Tapas by standing in one leg. Which she did with devotion and Shivan accepted her once again.
When Kamakshi and Sri Lakshmi were taking bath in Kama Koshtam, Emperumaan saw them by hiding behind a pillar and hearing what they weer speaking. Parvathi, who resembled as "Kamakshi" found that Sriman Narayanan is watching them and so she gave the punishment by first making him stand and then to sit and finally to Kidantha stage.
Becaue of this, he is found in all the 3 sevas (i.e) Nindra, Irundha and Kidantha seva on the North side of the pond of this koil.
Since, Sriman Narayanan saw them taking bath without knowing them, Parvathi kept him the name as "Kalvan" and this Divyadesam is called as "Thirukkalvanoor".
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Perumal of this sthalam is Aadhi Varaha Perumal. He is found in Standing position facing West direction. Prathyaksham for Ashvattha Naarayanan.



Thiru Velukkai - Sri Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple,


This is an old temple situated near Ashtabujham temple.
Sthalapuranam :
The name of the sthalam itself clearly says that the Perumal is there to help us. "Vel" means wish and "Irukkai" means satying there. Since the Perumal himself wished to stay there to help his bhakthas, this sthalam is known as "Vellukkai".
Sri Narasimhar is found in Irundha Nilai and protect his bhakthas not being attacked by the asuraas. To ride away the Asuraas, he sits in Yoga position facing west direction as "Yoga Narasimar". On his own wish, Sri Narasimhar is found here there by helping people from the Asuras.
Sri Vedantha Desikar in his "Kamaasi Ashtakam" explains about Sri Narasimhar and his wish to stay in this sthalam. (Kamaasi - Kama + Aasika - standing on his own wish).
Vel means wish with pure affection (or) love. Sri Narasimhar who is found here on his affection, is found along with Velukka Valli. Because of this, this sthalam is called "Thiru Velukkai".
• Sri Vedantha Desikar has sung devotional song on perumal and it is known as "Kamasi Kashtagam".
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Azhagiya Singar. He is also named as Narasimhar and Muguntha Naayagan. Moolavar in Yoga Position facing East direction.

Prathyaksham for Brighu Munivar.

Thaayar : Velukkai Valli (Amirtha Valli).

Thiruthanka (Thoopul) - Sri Deepaprakasar Perumal Temple,


This sthalam is situated about 1/2 km from Ashtabhujam temple in Kanchipuram.
Sthlapuranam : When Brahma was performing the aswametha yaagam, he did not invite his widfe Saraswathy for her participation and agitated over this, she made every efforts to stop the yagnam. She sought the help of asuras who stopped the rays from the sky by standing in between the sky and the world. The entire world became dark and Yagna couln’t be performed. Brahma made a prayer to Narayana who appeared as a light and helped to complete the yagnam. Since, the darkness was taken away, the Perumal there is called as "Deepaprakasar". 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.
Without understanding about the Jeevathma and paramathama, the Knowledge we get will be fully surrounded by darkness. The Emperuman stands here, there by taking away the darkness and explaining about the aathmas and the darkness is taken away by his Gnana Oli (Oli means light) and giving seva in Nidnra Kolam.
Periya pirattiyar, who takes the hamsam (resemblance) of parashakthi is found here by helping Emperumaan Deepa Prakasar.


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Thiruputkuzhi - Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, Tirupukuzhi




This Divyadesam is situated about 7 miles away from Kanchipuram in west direction. 1/2 km away from Baluchetti Chattiram which is in between Chennai - Vellore highways. By travelling about 50 miles from Chennai, we can reach this sthalam.
Sthalapuranam :
When Ravana was taking away Sita devi to Lanka, Jatayu prevented it on the way and fought with Ravana. Ravana was powerful than the Jatayu and he cut the wings of the long of the birds. When Rama along with Lakshmana came there in search of Seetha Piratti, they found Jadayu, who conveyed to Rama yhat Ravana has taken away Seetha along with and as if he was waiting Rama to come and hear this fact, he died. Rama did the last rites for Jatayu and buried him on a pit. Pul is a family of eagles and was buried in a pit, this place is called as Tjirupulkuzhi
Ramayana which is one of the Great epic, explains to the world about caste interactions and human love to each other. It also seeds the brotherhood culture into all the hearts of human society.
Guhan, who is the hunter, Sukgreev, who is a Monkey man and Vibeeshanan, who is the person belong to Arakka (Demon) family were treated as his own brothers by Sri Ramar.
Like this same way, Sabari, who was a old lady, who offered him with food and Agalikai, who became a stone because of Sabham, came back as a women, when Sri Rama's feet was touched on that stone. Both were given the place of his mother. The Primary moral is that we can belong to any community (or) caste, but to attain God's grace, out aathma should be pure and if it is in that way, we can attain it.
Treating, Guhan, Sukgreev and Vibeeshan as his brother and Sabari and Agalikai as his mother, Sri Ramar keeps Jadayu in his father's stage and did all the final rites Since, he way away from his father's and he could do the final ceremony to him, he kept Jadayu in his fathers place and did all the final thing to him.
In this sthalam, the Moolavar is Vijaya Raghava perumal. He holds Jadayu in his hands. Both the Naachiyaars, are found on both the sides, but in opposite manner.
In this temple, ladies who are not blessed with a child could make a special prayer. They are tied with water soaked dhall ( mulai paruoou) around their stomach and stay in the temple premises for over night. In the morning if the seed buds, it is confirmed that they will give birth to a child.
Special poojas are done on every Amavasai in a grand way.
Udayavar, Sri Ramanujar's Guru, Yadhava Pirakasar started to teach the vedanthams to his followers here.
Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Perumal of this sthalam is Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal. Moolavar in found in Sitting position facing East direction.
Prathyaksham for Jadaayu (Eagle).

Thaayar
Maragathavalli Thayaar. She has her own temple.
Every year a grand festival is done for all the Perumals in this temple.



We visited the birth place of Vedanta Mahadesikan, called Thoopul
The temple devoted for Mahadesikan is maintained very clean. It is adjacent to Adikesava perumal temple, within Chinna Kanchipuram. I have pleasure to narrate the life story of this great Vaishnava saint, copied from web site devoted for him.
Sri Vedanta Desika was born in 1268 at Thooppul, a village near Kanchipuram, to Totaramba and Ananta Suri. Both parents came from very traditional Sri Vaishnava backgrounds; Ananta Suri was a Vaidika Sri Vaishnava belonging to the Yajur Veda, and Totaramba was the great-granddaughter of Kidambi Accan or Pranatartiharacharya , Ramanuja's cook and one of his chief disciples. The day of Sri Desika's birth happened to be purattaasi SravaNam, the tirunakshatram of Lord Srinivasa, so accordingly his parents gave him the name "Venkatanatha". His titles soon eclipsed his given name, however, and due to his mastery of Vedanta and his ability to communicate complex topics easily, he is universally known as Vedantacharya, Vedanta Desika, or simply Desika -- the teacher.
Vedanta Desika's maternal uncle was the renowned scholar Kidambi Appullaar, also known as Atreya Ramanuja. It was under him that Desika studied all the shastras. He writes that Appullaar taught him with "as much patience as a man would teach a parrot to speak." Appullaar in turn had studied Vedanta under Vatsya Varadacharya (popularly known as Nadadur "Ammaal") along with Sudarsana Suri, the author of the Sruta-prakASikA,the famed commentary on Ramanuja's Sribhashya.
Tradition records that at the age of five, Desika's precocious intelligence attracted the notice of Varadacharya himself. The latter blessed him and predicted that he would be a great scholar, eventually firmly establishing the greatness of Ramanuja's philosophy. The master's words proved prophetic. Before the age of twenty, by his own account Desika had mastered all branches learning current in his day, both religious and secular. In particular, he had an uncanny ability to compose poetry instantaneously that combined philosophy, emotion, and devotion. This combined with his expertise at the art of debate earned him the title "Kavi Tarkika Simha",or lion among poets and debaters.
One can easily trace Desika's life by looking at the stotras he has composed. In examining the list of his Sanskrit and Tamil poems, we find a large number dedicated to the deities in and around Tiruvahindrapuram, a temple near the coastal town of Cuddalore.It appears that shortly after his studies, Desika moved to Tiruvahindrapuram.
Always a devotee of Hayagriva Perumaal, the fount of all knowledge,Desika meditated here on this form of the Lord and is said to have had a profound vision of Him. Thereafter, he literally burst forth in poetry. Works such as the Hayagriva Stotram, Raghu Vira Gadyam, Gopala Vimsati (all in Sanskrit), Achyuta Satakam (in Prakrit), Mummanikkovai and Navamani Maalai (in Tamil) are among his hymns in praise of the deities enshrined here. These works are remarkable for their poetic and linguistic range, as well as for their deeply emotional turns. In his Tamil love poems to Lord Devanatha, for example, the influence of the Alvars is transparent, as is his mastery of the Sangam Tamil conventions. The rhythmic beauty of the Raghu Vira Gadyam's prose and his touching descriptionsof the Krishna-lilas in the Gopala Vimsati are among the high points of the entire gamut of India's religious literature.
At some point, Desika returned to Kanchipuram to continue his teaching and writing. He regularly visited the many Divya Desams of this town, composing poems on nearly all of them. One of them, the Vairagya Panchakam or "Five Verses on Dispassion", gives us a rare autobiographical insight into his personality. Nominally addressed to Lord Varadaraja, the Vairagya Panchakam is held to be a reply to a friend, who, upon seeing Desika's abject poverty, invited him to join the court of the king where he could lead a more comfortable life. Desika's verses here display a stern independence of spirit and utter disregard for material wealth, particularly when it distracts from the greater wealth of the company of God. Tradition remembers Desika and his wife as having led an "unccha-vRtti" life, where he would daily go about begging for alms. This is evidenced by his declaration at the conclusion of the Vairagya Panchakam that neither he nor his father had any wealth worth speaking of, save the continuous presence of the Lord of the Elephant Hill, i.e., Lord Varadaraja.
Near the end of the 13th century, it is recorded that several Advaitins came to Srirangam and challenged the Sri Vaishnavas to a debate. Being advanced in age, Sudarsana Suri did not feel up to the task, so the Sri Vaishnavas of Srirangam invited Desika to take the challenge. He accepted the challenge and is said to have vanquished his opponents, and thereafter took the opportunity to settle down in Srirangam. Then, as now, Srirangam was the center of Vaishnava culture, with very active participation in religious dialogue and temple festivals. Desika no doubt enjoyed his time in Srirangam very much. In the Bhagavad Dhyana Sopanam, a contemplative poem on Lord Ranganatha, he describes Srirangam as a place where "great connoisseurs live contentedly, their minds full of delight".
At this point Desika was in his thirties, and his scholarly achievements in the service of God were coming at an increasing pace. He summarized his objections to Advaita in the polemic work Satadusani; he clarified many aspects of Sri Vaishnava ritual and practice; he constantly elucidated and clarified the philosophical teachings of his predecessors. He himself writes that he taught the entire Sribhashya at least thirty times; the bulk of these must have occurred during his long stay in Srirangam. It is also during this period that he wrote many of his "rahasya granthas", or expositions of the more esoteric doctrines of the tradition, including the nature of self-surrender (prapatti), the meaning of sacred mantras, etc. Many of these works are clearly a product of long discussions with senior scholars living in Srirangam at the time, such as Pillai Lokacharya, Alagiya Manavaala Perumaal Naayanaar, and Naayanaar Accan Pillai. Many of the thoughts of these other acharyas are indirectly recorded in Desika's works, even when they occasionally disagree with his conclusions.
In this respect, he was very much a scientist, carefully mentioning and arguing all sides of an issue, before finally coming to what he saw was the most logical conclusion. In examining these works as well as his exhaustive commentaries on Ramanuja's and Alavandar's compositions, one is struck by Desika's thoroughness, and by his desire to discuss all possible meanings and nuances of an interpretation, both in the course of anubhavam as well as argument. Without Desika's careful noting of the variety of interpretations, many important meanings would have been lost to posterity. It is no wonder that the title of "Vedanta Desika" was conferred on him, as he himself attests to, by Lord Ranganatha Himself.
It is also in Srirangam that Desika composed the Paduka Sahasram, 1008 verses on the sandals of the Lord. It is said that Desika composed the entire lot in a single night in response to challenge from another pandit. In the course of the 32 paddhatis or chapters, Desika makes countless allusions to the Alvars, to Sri Ramayanam from which the idea of the greatness of the sandals nominally comes, as well as other aspects of philosophy. The Paduka Sahasram has been dealt with in detail by Sri Sadagopan so I will not delve into this great topic further.
When Desika was in his forties, a son was born to him and his wife. Reflecting his love for his household icon Lord Varadaraja, Desika named the boy Varada, and tradition remembers him as Nainacharya or Kumara Varadacharya. Kumara Varadacharya also became a scholar of some repute, and we are indebted to him for recording some biographical details of his father in his Desika Mangalam, Pillai Antaadi, and Desika Dinacharyai.
In 1327, during this fertile period of Sri Vaishnava scholarship and growth, Malik Kafur invaded Srirangam from the north, with tragic consequences of which many of us are aware. In the ensuing melee, hundreds if not thousands of Sri Vaishnavas are said to have died, and the very existence of Lord Ranganatha was threatened. Led by Pillai Lokacharya, the seniormost acharya at the time, a group of Sri Vaishnavas hurriedly left Srirangam with Namperumaal, the Ranganatha utsava-mUrti, and headed to Jyotishkudi. There, an exhausted Pillai Lokacharya breathed his last, unable to take the stress of the invasion and journey. Meanwhile, the mUla-vigraham of Ranganayaki Thaayaar was buried in the courtyard in front of Her sannidhi, and Desika is said to have supervised the building of a wall in front of the Ranganatha's sannidhi to hide the mUlavar. The aged Sudarsana Suri was also among those who died during the invasion. Before his death, he entrusted his two young sons and the only manuscript of the Sruta-prakASikA to Desika's care. Desika, the boys, and others hid themselves among the dead bodies to escape slaughter.With the invasion of the temple came the need for Desika himself to leave Srirangam, so he took his family and the sons of Sudarsana Suri and headed northwest, settling down first in Satyamangalam, in present day Karnataka. He then made his way to Melkote, where he attracted a bright pupil, later known as Brahmatantra Svatantra Jiyar, the first Swami of Sri Parakala Matham. From Melkote, Desika proceeded to Tirupati/Tirumalai, where Namperumaal had eventually gone, and then to a tour of North Indian divya desams, including Mathura, Brindavana, Ayodhya, and Kashi. In the course of this long exile from Srirangam, seeing the devastating destruction caused to the holiest of temples, Srirangam, he composed the Abhiti Stava, or Prayer for Freedom From Fear.
The Abhiti Stava is a poetic request for protection from all unholy forces, particularly those opposed to the Vaidika lifestyle involving service of the Lord which Desika practiced. Desika was perhaps 60 or so during the composition of this stotram, as he mentions that his hair has greyed by this time.
In 1360 [**], Gopanna Udaiyar defeated the Muslims, and Sri Vaishnavas could once again return to Srirangam. Namperumaal was brought back from Tirupati, and temple servants who had survived the 30+ long temple closure were invited back. Sri Desika, as the senior surviving acharya, was among those who returned, and a verse of his composition is inscribed in the temple, recording his presence at the reopening of Koyil. With the restoration of Srirangam, Desika now returned to his service of Lord Ranganatha. Tradition records that he composed Sri Rahasya Traya Saaram, an exhaustive work on the essence of Sri Vaishnava philosophy, lifestyle, and the meaning of the esoteric mantras, in these last few years of his life.
[**] Inscriptions indicate that the date was 1371 ("bandhupriya"). However, this has to be reconciled with the recorded date of Desika's passing, 1369. Some historians believe the inscription is in error and it should be "bahupriya", meaning 1360. This is still a matter of research and debate.
In 1369, with his head resting in the lap of Kumara Varadacharya and his feet with Brahmatantra Svatantra Jiyar, Desika left his earthly body and ascended to Parama Padam. He had lived the full Vedic lifespan of 100 years in an exemplary and humble manner, tirelessly engaged in the service of the Lord and Sri Ramanuja's sampradAya. Even given such a long life, one can hardly imagine how someone can have contributed so much with so much consistency, and yet have lived such a simple life of complete poverty. For these reasons, Sri Desikan forever won the admiration and reverence of all who where spiritually inclined, and is rightfully recognized as one of the foremost scholars and thinkers ever alive.

On Sunday the 2nd January, we visited the Kamakshi temple, which is maintained by Kanchi Sankara Mutt.
Shri Kamatchi Devi is seated right in the center of Gayathri Mandapa which is the middle of the first prahara (roundabout ) of Shri Kamatchi shrine. Devi faces South East. She is in 'Padmasana sitting posture with Brama, Vishnu , Rudra, Easwara and Sadasiva as the basis with four arms having 'Pasam' (rope) 'Ankusam' (lance), Pushpanam (flower) and Sugarcane Arch respectively. Mother has three eyes and rules the world as Raja Rajeshwari as Lalitha, beauty of beauties and as a destroyer of all 'Kamas' love and thus as Kameswari, Shri Kamatchi is worshiped as Chakra Nayagi,Thirupurasundari, Sri Thirupura according to the views of Her Devotees.

Kamatchi Devi Presented Herself in Kanchee appearing through 'Pila Kasa' the great can cavity in order to slay Bhandakasuran, and other asuras who troubled Devas. Out of fear of asuras, Devas came here and lived as parrots ir Champaka tree and prayed Devi to free them from the terrors of asuras.
Devi in due response to the prayer of Devas was pleased to come all the way from Mount Meru and came out here through 'Pilakasa' the great sacred cancavity of the earth slaughtered the asuras and saved the Devas. Eve since then shri Kamatchi Devi is present in this great Shrine right in the centre of Gayathri Mandapa Her abode. Thus it is evident that Devi was no installed by any one, but Mother Devi presented herself not only for the Devas then but for us also. Here in this Sacred Shrine of Devi.

She is 'Sthoola' (object) and perception, 'Sookshma' (imagination).
and 'Karana' (cause) forms all mixed and mingled as 'one'. Shri Kamatchi Devi preside in this great Shrine in order to help her Devotees to get rid of their sins, lust and worries and to bestow Her choicest blessing on alls the Devotees.
III KAMAKOTI PEEDA alias 'SHRI CHAKRA'
'Kamakotti Peeda alias 'Shri Chakra' is ahead of sri Kamatchi Devi Seated right in the centre of Gayathri Mandapa. Shri Devi alias Kamatchi is in Sookshama' (conception) from in this 'Shri Chakra' proper .On the margin of the pedestal are the eight sakthis. Ever since Devi came out of the 'Pilakasa' she is presiding in this Shri Chakra. This Kamakoti Peeda with shri chakra is here for ages and seers. Eswara Himself prayed in four yugas as saint Dhurvasa, Parasurama, Doumya and in Kali age as Mukhacharya and Adi Sankar and obtained divine in blessing of Divine Mother Shri Kamatchi.
For want of space I am confined to give a small description of this famous temple of Kamatchi and readers are advised to visit the official web site of Kanchi Kamakoti peetam for elaborate details of this temple and the various sannadhis in the temple.

The much awaited Thirumanjanam for the Charathazhwar was performed thereafter, joined with us by Venkat and his family besides Lakshmi’s mother from Tuticorin/
We returned to Chennai safely on the evening of 2nd January 2011.