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Location:
Kanchipuram
(Tondai Naadu)
Vishnu: Vaikuntha Naathan
Taayaar: Vaikuntha
Valli
Paasuram :Tirumangaialwar
Vimaanam:Mukunda Vimanam
Travel Base:Chennai, Kanchipuram
Description This Divya Desam
is the celebrated Vaikuntha Perumaal Temple, built by the Pallava Emperors
who also built the Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram.
Deities:
The Moolavar here is Vaikuntha Nathan or Paramapada Naathan in a seated
posture facing west, and Taayaar here is Vaikuntha Valli in a separate
shrine.
The Temple:
This temple is regarded as a grand specimen of Pallava architecture. It
has a three layered Ashtanga Vimanam. The lowermost level enshrines
the seated image of Vishnu, while the ones above enshrine Vishnu in reclining
and standing postures respectively. The images in the upper levels are
not worshipped. (This is similar to the arrangement in the Koodalazhagar
temple at Madurai). This temple was constructed
by Nandi Varma Pallavan II and it covers an area of about 3 acres.
Legend
has it that the Dwarapalakas of Vishnu were reborn as the children of
the king of Vidarbha - Villavan and Pallavan. These Princes, are said
to have performed the Aswamedha sacrifice here, and Vishnu is said to
have appeared in front of them in answer to their prayers.
Festivals:
Two worship services are offered each day. The annual Bhramotsavam is
celebrated in the month of Vaikasi as in the Varadarajaswamy Temple, and
Vaikuntha Ekadasi is celebrated in the month of Markazhi.
The Divya Desams revered
by the Alwars in Vishnu Kanchi are Attigiri (the vast
Varadaraja Perumal temple), Ashtabuyakaram, Tiruttankaa, Tiruvelukkai
and Tiruvegkaa, while those in Shiva Kanchi are
Tiru Oorakam (Ulagalanda Perumaal Koyil), Tiru
Neeragam, Tiruppaatakam, Nilaattingal Tundam, Tirukkaaragam, Tirukkaarvaanam,
Tirukkalvanur, Tiruppavalavannam and Parameswara Vinnagaram.
The vast Ekambreswarar temple (Prithvi Stalam)
revered by the Tevaram hymns, is located in Periya (Shiva) Kanchi, as
are the Kamakshiamman and the Kanda Kottam temples.
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