Tiruvegkaa

Location: Kanchipuram (Tondai Naadu)
Vishnu: Yatotkaara Perumaal
Taayaar: Komalavalli
Theertham:Poikai Pushkarini
Paasuram :Tirumazhisai, Tirumangai, Poikaialwar, Peyalwar, Nammalwar
Vimaanam:Veda Saara Vimanam
Travel Base:Chennai, Kanchipuram

Description: This Divyadesam is located in Kanchipuram close to the Ashtabhuyakara Divya Desam, a mile west of the Varadaraja Perumal temple. It has been glorified by six of the 12 Alwars.

The Divya Desams revered by the Alwars in Vishnu Kanchi are Attigiri (the vast Varadaraja Perumal temple), Ashtabuyakaram, Tiruttankaa, Tiruvelukkai and Tiruvegkaa, while those in Shiva  Kanchi are Tiru Oorakam (Ulagalanda Perumaal Koyil), Tiru Neeragam, Tiruppaatakam, Nilaattingal Tundam, Tirukkaaragam, Tirukkaarvaanam, Tirukkalvanur, Tiruppavalavannam and Parameswara Vinnagaram. The vast Ekambreswarar temple (Prithvi Stalam)  revered by the Tevaram hymns, is located in Periya (Shiva) Kanchi, as are the Kamakshiamman and the Kanda Kottam temples.

Deities: The Moolavar here is Yatotkaari or Yatotkaara Perumaal also known as Sonnavannam Seida Perumaal, in a reclining posture facing east. Taayaar here is Komalavalli. The 'sayana' posture is reversed here, with the head to the devotee's right, unlike other shrines.

Legend has it that Poikai Alwar, among the first of the Alwars, was discovered on a lotus flower in the Poikai Pushkarini. Legend also  has it that the Vegavati river, implored by the demons, came flowing in spate, to destroy the yagna (ritual) being performed by Bhrama. Upon being implored by the Devas and Bhrama, Vishnu, manifested himself in a reclining position, across the river, damming it. The word Vegavati Anai (dam), is the root of the name Vegkaa. The same legend is told at the Varadarajar temple too.

Legend has it that a disciple of Tirumazhisai Alwar converted an aged woman to a young damsel, so that her services would be available to the temple for a longer period here. Hearing of this, a Pallava king approached his disciple to have him convert him (the king) into a youthful personality. Upon his refusal, he was banished from the kingdom, and Tirumazhisai alwar followed him, leaving Kanchipuram. Vishnu upon hearing the pleas of Tirumazhisai Alwar, followed him out of Kanchipuram, and upon Vishnu's departure, the entire city became one of darkness. The king requested Alwar and his disciple to return to the ciity, and Vishnu returned too, and reversed his position in the temple. The name Sonnavannam seida Perumaal came into being because Vishnu 'listened' to the Alwar and left the temple, and again listened to his pleas and returned.

This temple occupies an area of about 4 acres.  Two worship services are carried out each day here. Vaikuntha ekadasi is celebrated for 22 days in Margazhi. Poikaialwar's birth is celebrated in the month of Aippasi. A golden palanquin is used during festivals here.

Tirumazhisai Alwar refers to seven shrines featuring Vishnu in a reclining position - Tirukkudandai, Tiruvegkaa, Tiruvallur, Tiruvarangam, Tiruppernagar, Anbil and Tirupparkadal in a paasuram.