It is common to divide Kāñchi into Viṣṇu Kāñchi, and Śiva Kāñchi, the reason being, Kāñchi shines to that extent as a two-sect sacred place for an abundance of temples. At present, Aththivaradhar rose from the bottom of Aṉantha Saras, the holy pond, and offers grace to devotees. There are 14 Divya Desams in the greater Kāñchi inclusive of Varadharaja Perumal, wherein Aththivaradhar stays.
The Purāṇās state that all Divya Desa Temples have a connection with Aththivaradhar. Worshipping all the Divya Desams collectively yields good fruits. Āzhvārs and Āchāryars worshipped in these temples in a plethora of poses with Viṣṇu sitting, standing, and recumbent. Each Divya Dēsam has a unique feature. It is wonderful to worship and receive Darsan of all of them in one day
Presently, in anticipation of Darsan of Aththivarathar, the Divya Desa shrines present a festival atmosphere. The Aththivarathar devotees go to the other Divya Desa shrines to worship Tirumal with joy. Come all for the Ādi month's Darsan of Vishnu, who offers his grace to the devotees.
`Site: Thirukacchi
God: Dēvarājaṉ (the King of gods), Pēraruḷāḷaṉ (Grantor of Great Grace)
Thāyār: Perundēvi
Thīrtham: Aṉanthasaras, Golden Lotus.
தலச் சிறப்புகள் : Site special features
Among the Vaiṣṇva temples, the most important is Varadharāja Perumāḷ Temple. Alzhvārs sang panegyric poems. This temple with the resident God Perumāḷ appeared when Brahma performed Yāgam. Perumāḷ Koil. Perumāḷ, because he not only safeguarded the Yāgam but also gave him all the needed boons, earned the name ‘Varadharājar.’ This temple is where Varadharājar gave Darshan to Nārada Muṉi, Brahma, Ādhisēṣaṉ, and Gajēndhiraṉ. The said temple is where Sṛīhyagrīvar and Agasthiyar received Sṛīvidyai instructions. Ādhiaththivaradhar is in a state of sleep in Ānanthasaras, the sacred temple pond, and once in 40 years emerges from his sleep in the tank to offer grace.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்பு : The greatness of worship
Supplicating to the God of this temple augments the prosperity in the family besides excellence in learning and inquiry. Supplicating to Perundēvi frees us from poverty. Boon of progeny is obtainable. If you touch and pay homage to the Devas in the appearance of the golden and silver lizards, many faults and sins will leave from a devotee.
Site: Aṭṭapuyakkaram
Resident God: Ādhikēsavaṉ, Gajendhiraṉ.
Thāyār (Mother Goddess): Alarmēlmaṇgai, Padmāsaṉi
Tīrtham: Gajēndhira Puṣkaraṇi.
The special feature of the temple
Kaliamakaḷ, offended by Brahma’s conduct of Yāgam without inviting her, decided to stop the Yāgam and drove the Asuras against Brahma. Eight-handed Perumāḷ known by the eponym ‘Aṭṭapuyakkaratthōṉ’ appeared to help Brahma, restrained Kāḷi and destroyed the Asuras. This was the temple site where Perumāḷ appeared to offer Mukthi to Gajēndhiraṉ, according to the historical records of the temple.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்பு : Special features of worship
The temple records indicate Perumāḷ subjugated Kāḷi and offered boons to Brahma. That is why the devotees after worshiping Perumāḷ, go to the nearby Karuṇkāḷiyammaṉ for worship: a wonderful practice. Since Gajēndhiravaradhaṉ responded to the distress call, he goes by the eponym ‘Ādhimūlam’ the name a devotee can call out for immediate help during dangerous times.
Site: Thirutthaṇkā (thūppul)
God: Viḷakkoḷi Perumāḷ (Thīppirakāsar)
Thāyār: Marakathavalli
Thīrttham: Sarasvathi Thīrttham
தலச் சிறப்புகள் : Temple's uniqueness
Thaṇ (தண்) means coolness. Kā means grove. Since Brahmadēvaṉ chose this cool grove to perform the Yāgam, the site received the name 'Thiruthaṇkā.’ Sarasvathi Dēvi's efforts to block the Yāgam were fruitless but brought darkness in the world by causing loss of light from the sun and the moon and immersing the world in darkness. Inclined to help Brahma, Tirumāl appeared as Jyōti suffused with light and offered illumination. Sarasvati brought all her powers together, morphed it as an Asura named ‘Māya Nalaṉ and dispatched him for evil deeds. Tirumāl hoisted the Asura with his hand and spread his light to the Yāgam. That is why Perumāl received the eponymous name, ‘Viḷakkoḷi Perumāḷ.’ Tirumaṇgai Ālvār sang laudatory poems on the temple.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்பு : The uniqueness of worship
It is the belief that the hardships in life will end when the distressed individuals supplicate to Viḷakkoḷi Perumāḷ. Worshipping God three times a day with lit lamps, the God will appear as Light and chase the hardships away, according to tradition.
Site: Tiruvēḷukkai
Resident God: Mukunthanāyakaṉ
Mother Goddess (Thāyār): Vēḷukkaivalli.
Tīrttham (Sacred water): Kaṇaka Saras, Hōmasaras.
Site uniqueness.
After Narasimhar in his incarnation as Rudra Mūrthy protected his devotee Prahalāthaṉ, he settled down in this site with tranquility. Since Narasimhar thought of staying in this place with desire, this site received the name ‘Vēḷirukkai.’ Later its name was Tiruvēḷirukkai. To safeguard Brahma’s Yāgam from the Asuras, Narasimhar appeared in Hasthi Sailam and destroyed the Asuras. He has holy names like, ‘Āḷ ari’ and ‘Mukuntha Nāyakaṉ. Perumāḷ gave Darsan to Bhṛgu Muṉi in this shrine as Azhagiya Siṇga Perumāḷ.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்புகள் : Uniqueness of worship.
The tradition is that Perumāḷ protects the distressed devotees with compassion who seek him for relief. This is the site of the shrine where he settled down to alleviate the hardship of the devotees with love and exuberance. Swamy Dēsikar sang ‘Kāmāṣīṣtakam’ and eulogized Perumāḷ. The belief is chanting Kāmāṣīṣtakam’ in praise of Perumāḷ brings a plethora of grace to the singer, devotee, and seeker.
Shrine: Tiruppādakam
Resident God: Pāṇḍava Thūthar or emissary
Goddess: Rukmaṇi Sathyabhāmā
Site uniqueness
After the Bhārata war was over, King Jaṉamējayar listened to Vaisampāyaṉar, the story of Bhārata. Jaṉamējayar was in Tapas wanting to see Krishna in his role as envoy sitting in the subterranean hall and have Darsan of Krishna in his Visvarūpa manifestation (Transmutation or Universal form). This site was where Jaṉamējayar witnessed the Universal form of Krishna. Since Krishna went as the envoy of the Pañchapāṇḍavars, he receives worship as ‘Pāṇḍava Thūthap Perumāḷ.’ On this site, Rōhiṇi Dēvi worshipped Krishna Bhagavāṉ and earned the opportunity to go to Chandra.
. வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்புகள் : Uniqueness of worship.
17. This was the site when Krishna Bhagavāṉ anchored his feet on this earth and granted grace with his Visvapāthayōga Sakthis. The prevailing faith among the devotees is circumambulation by foot or by body-rolling around the shrine will face no difficulties. Worshipping Pāṇḍava Thūthap Perumāḷ on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Rōhiṇi, Aṣtami, and Thithi has a special significance.
Ekāmbaranāthar Temple.
Temple Site: Nilātthiṇgaḷ
Nilātthiṇgaḷthuṇdatthāṉ
Thāyār: Nērōruvarillāvalli
Tīrttham: Chandra Tīrttham
Unique features of the temple.
In Kāñchi, this is the Divya Dēsam in a separate shrine within the temple complex of the famous Ekāmbaranāthar Kōil. Pārvati Dēvi performed Tapas in Kāñchi. To test Pārvati, Śiva set the nearby tree on fire. Immediately, Pārvati supplicated to Perumāḷ in his Vāmana incarnation. Perumāḷ appeared and directed the rays of the moon on the fire, cooled, and extinguished it. That is why Perumāḷ took the eponymous name of ‘Nilātthiṇgal Thuṇdatthāṉ.’ Tirumaṇgai Āzhvār sang panegyric poems on this Divya Dēsam.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்பு :The greatness of worship
Since this Divya Dēsam is inside the Ekāmbaranāthar Temple, the Śivācchāriyārs perform Pūjai according to Śaivite worship protocols. Since Perumāḷ assented to Pārvati to remove the heat and grant coolness with grace, supplication to Perumāḷ removes hardships and gives joy to the devotees, according to their belief.
Site: Tiruūrakam.
Indwelling God: UlakaḷanthaPerumāḷ, Trivikkaramap Perumāḷ
Thāyār (Mother Goddess): Amudhavalli Nācchiayār
Sacred water: Nāga Tīrttham.
Site’s uniqueness
Emperor Mahābali descended to the Pādāla Lōkam (Netherworld) because of a push by the foot of Tirumāl who strode the three worlds. Because of the shove and push, Mahābali could not witness the sight of the three-word stride Viṣṇu took. Staying in the Netherworld, Mahābali observed penance for the privilege of seeing the Ulakaḷantha Perumāl (Perumāḷ who strode the world). Joyous at his Tapas, Viṣṇu gave Mahābali a holy Darsan of his ornate posture of the World Strider. This bears the name Tiruvūrakam.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்புகள் : Uniqueness of Worship
If you supplicate to this Perumāḷ who strode the world and granted grace to his devotees, the mountain-like hardship will melt away like snow. The childless couples offer sweet porridge as Naivēthyam and worship the deity. The devotees believe that the couple will soon have the joy of progeny.
Perumāḷ who kept his word
Site: Tiruvekkā
Indweller: Yathōtthakāri
Thāyār: Kōmaḷavalli
The uniqueness of the temple
When Tirumazhisai Azhvār was rendering holy services at the temple, he conferred the gift of youth to an old woman, having appreciated her good soul and her long service at the temple. The news reached the king, who asked the disciple of the Āzhvār, named Kaṉikkaṇṇaṉ. He rejected his proposal. The king ordered him expelled out of the country. Having heard of the exile of his disciple, he decided on his self-imposed exile. The Āzhvār implored to Perumāḷ, “What business do you have in a town where we have no residential permit? Go with us.” The Perumāl earned the name, Soṉṉavaṇṇam Seytha Perumāḷ (The Perumāḷ who did as he was told).
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்புகள் : Uniqueness of Worship.
Tirumāl’s recumbent sacred posture is dextrorotary. When he came back after a visit with Azvār, this temple’s Perumāḷ is recumbent in a levorotary posture. The Bakthas say that upon supplication, the temple’s Indweller (God) all yearnings come to fulfillment.
Shrine: Thirukkārakam
Indwelling God: Karuṇākara Perumāḷ
Thāyār: Padmāmaṇi
Tīrttham: Akrāya Tīrttham
The uniqueness of the temple.
In Ulakaḷantha Perumāḷ Kōil’s premises, this is one of the four Divaya Dēsams. The deity gives Darsan as the Karuṇākara Perumāḷ. Here is the sacred place, Perumāḷ gave Darsan to Gārha Mahaṛiṣi. This shrine bears the name Tirukkārakam because Mahaṛiṣi paid homage to Perumāḷ and received Jñaṉam.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்புகள் : Uniqueness of worship
The devotees worship the Indwelling God in this shrine, so to abandon Āṇavam (Ego). The tradition holds the view worship of Karuṇākara Perumāḷ make the devotee excel and shine in arts and sciences.
Kāmakṣiammaṉ Kōil.
Site and shrine: Tirukkaḷvaṉūr
Indwelling God: Ādhi Varāhar
Thāyār: Añjalaivalli
Sacred water-pond: Nitya Puṣkaraṇi
Unique features of the shrine.
This Divya Dēsam exists within the temple complex of Kāñchīpuram Kāmākṣiamman Temple. Since she was egoistic about her beauty, she lost her physical form and became a formless entity. After performing Tapas, she regained what she lost. Then, Perumāḷ in the guise of Ādhivar, hid himself in a pillar and looked at Lakṣmi. That is why the celebrated indwelling God in this shrine bears the moniker, “Kaḷvap Perumāḷ.’
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்புகள் : Uniqueness of worship
Aṉṉai Mahālakṣmi offers grace in her formless form as depicted on the other wall of her inner sanctum of the shrine. Application of kumkum on the wall and worshipping Ādhivarāhar increase the prosperity in the family, help advance career possibilities. The devotees offer Naivettiam in the form of Curd rice and reap benefits and grace.
Shrine: Tirukkārvāṉam
Indwelling God: Kaḷvarperumāḷ, Kārvāṉap Perumāḷ
Thāyār: Kamalavalli
Sacred Pond: Gauri Tīrttham
The uniqueness of the shrine.
Of the Ulakaḷantha Perumāḷ sites, Tirukkārvāṉam, one of the four Divya Desams received the pride of place of being sung and extolled by Tirumaṇgai Āzhvār as ‘Kārvāṉaththuḷḷāi Kaḷvā’ (the thief of Kārvāṉam). It is noteworthy that we see four Divya Desams here: Ūrakam, Kārakam, Nīrakam, and Kārvāṉam.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்பு : Uniqueness of worship
If you receive Darsan of Kārvāṉap Perumāḷ, you will have Jñāṉam, and proficiency in education, according to the belief of the devotees.
Temple Site: Tiruppavaḷa Vaṇṇam
Indwelling God: Pavaḷavaṇṇap Perumāḷ
Thāyār: Pavaḷavalli Nācchiyār
Sacred freshwater Pond: Chakra Tīrttham
The uniqueness of the temple.
Seeing the defeat of all her attempts to stop the Yāgam of Brahma, Sarasvati assembled and launched the cruelest Arakkar force. Perumāḷ, having annihilated the Arakkars in a flash, was soaking wet in blood and appeared like a coral red gem. That is why this site’s Indwelling God offers his grace as Coral-Red Perumāḷ.
The uniqueness of worship. The servitors of this temple’s grace granting Santhāṉa Krishnar declare offering prayers to him ensures progeny. Bathing in the Chakra Tīrtham and paying homage to the resident God guarantees increasing prosperity and eradication of all Dōṣams (deficiencies, faults). The devotees believe paying tribute to the guardians of eight quarters on the upper roof of the front Mandapam of Pavaḷavalli Thāyār.
Temple Site: Tirupparamēcchura Viṇṇakaram
Indwelling God: Paramapathanāthaṉ
Thāyār: Vaikunthavalli
Sacred fresh water pond: Airammatha Tīrttham
The uniqueness of Temple site.
This is a three-story Temple. The temple’s Perumāḷ offers Darsan in the sitting, recumbent, and standing sacred postures. On the first floor, Vaikuntha Perumāḷ offers grace in a sitting posture, on the second floor as Araṇganāthar in Āṉantha Sayaṉa posture, and on the third floor as Paramapathanāthar in the standing posture. The historical temple records state thus.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்பு: The uniqueness of worship
The Uniqueness of worship. It is the tradition that a devotee, upon paying homage to Vaikuntha Perumāḷ in his sitting, recumbent and standing postures, will attain Vaikuṇtam with certainty. For those with no children will gain progeny by supplicating to Perumāḷ here. Also, for a disease-free and a long life for their children, the parents plead to God for fulfillment.
Temple site: Green color
Indwelling God: Green-colored Perumāḷ
Thāyār or Goddess: Marakathavalli Thāyār
Sacred Pond water: Cjakkra Tīrtham
The uniqueness of the Temple.
Thought this is not Divya Dēsam, the devotees considering this temple as worthy as Divya Dēsam, come here for the Darsan of Pacchaivaṇṇar. Pavaḷa Vaṇṇa shrine site and green-colored shrine face each other.
வழிபாட்டுச் சிறப்புகள் : Uniqueness of worship.
The traditional belief is that worshipping Pacchai Vaṇṇap Perumāḷ, Tirumaṇa Dōṣam, Putra Dōṣam, and Nāga Dōṣam will vanish. The color of Buda is green; since Ādhidēvata is Viṣṇu; the traditional belief is Darsan and worship of the green-colored Perumāḷ yield Bhagavaṉ’s favor.