DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 2ndVishnuSthalam |
Ashtabuyagaram Sri
Adikesava Perumal is one of the 108 Diya Desam situated in Kanchipuram, Tamil
Nadu. This temple very close to Sri Yatothkari Perumal Temple and it
is 2 km away from Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple, Kanchi. This is one
of the oldest temples built by the Pallava Kings. The inscriptions on the
temple wall reveals the grandeur of this temple and the oldest inscriptions were
found date back to 820 A.D. The only divya desam where Lord Vishnu is seen with
8 hands. The story of this temple too revolves around Saraswathi’s attempt to
stop Brahma’s Ashwamedha Yaagam.
In this temple Lord
Adikesava is in standing posture with fierce weapons in eight arms
(Ashtabujangam). The legend has that Lord Brahma prayed to Lord Vishnu to
protect the Yagna conducted by him and ward off any evils which creates
hindrances in the performance of Yagna. The most pleased Lord Vishnu come into
sight as Lord Adikesava with eight arms, the seven arms holding the perilous
weapons Dice, Wheel, Conch, Bow, Arrow, Sword, Shield and Mace. In this way
Lord Adikesava appeared before Lord Brahma and protected his Yagna. Lord Shiva
also can be seen as ‘Sri Sarabeshwar’ protecting the Yagna Sala in this temple.
Another legend has that
Sage Mahasudha was underwent severe penance. Lord India was anxious to see the
severe austerities followed by Sage Mahasudha. Lord Indra was very concerned
about his title, inorder to safeguard his highly honored title ‘Indra’; he
assigned a few celestial dancers to Earth to create an obstacle to Sage
Mahasudha’s penance. The celestial dancers disguised into attractive elephants
and distracted the attention of Sage Mahasudha and succeeded in their mission.
Sage Mahasudha fallen prey at the trick played by Lord Indra and spent several
years in their company as the chief of the elephant. Later Sage Mahasudha
realized his foolishness. At the divine instruction of Sage Markandeya, the
elephant practiced to worship Lord Vishnu with lotus flower. While elephant was
plucking lotus from the pond as usual to worship Lord Vishnu, a crocodile
caught its leg firmly and the fight between the two went on for several years.
Finally, Lord Vishnu hurried to save the elephant from the clutches of
crocodile and the crocodile was killed instantly with His fierce weapon Dice.
Thus, the king of the elephant Gajendra attained salvation at the Lotus feet of
Sriman Narayana.
This is the only Divya
Desam in Kanchipuram that has a Swarga Vaasal (Gateway to Heaven). Festival –
Chithirai Brahmostavam, Gajendra Moksham in the Tamil month Adi, Pavithra
festival in Avani and Margazhi Festival. Those buying building sites and farm
land and those facing problems in houses built already pray to Perumal for
removal of any evil elements in the places.
The temple is one among
the 108 Divyadesas of Perumal. This is the only Perumal Temple where Lord
appears with 8 hands-bhujas. A separate Mangalasasanam is addressed to Mother
by Azhwar only in this temple.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Aathikesava Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Alarmel Mangai |
|
Theertham |
Gajendra
Pushkarani Theertham |
BELIEF:
Those buying building
sites and farm land and those facing problems in houses built already pray to
permual for removal of any evil elements in the places.
The
10-day Vaikunta Ekadasi festival celebrated during
the Tamil month of Margazhi (December - January) is
the most prominent festival celebrated in the temple. Rama Navami and Navarathri are
other prominent festivals celebrated in the temple. Gajendra Moksha
festival is celebrated during the Tamil month of Aadi (July - August)
in the star of Hastham.
HOW
TO REACH:
The temple is 2 km from
Kancheepuram bus stand at Tirukachi Nambigal Street in Chinna Kancheepuram.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Aadikesava Perumal ( Ashtabuyagara Perumal )
Thirukkoil,
Kancheepuram,
Tamil Nadu - 631501.
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