the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

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Abodes of Vishnu

Thiru Attapuyakkaram

Mulavar   Adhikesava Perumal, Gajendravaradhan
Utsavar    
Thayar   Alarmel Mangai, Padmaasani
Kshethram    
Pose & Direction   Standing pose facing West
Theertham   Gajendra Pushkarni
Vimanam   Kakanaakruthi, Chakraakruthi Vimanam
Sthala Vruksham    
Paadiyavar   Thirumangaialwar, Pei alwar
Travel Base   Kanchipuram
Nearest Railway Station   Kanchipuram

Location

This temple is Chinna Kanchipuram near Varadharaajar Temple.The temple is 2 km from Kancheepuram bus stand at Tirukachi Nambikal Street in Chinna Kancheepuram. The city of Kanchipuram is well connected with the other part of the states and it is few kms from the Quadrilateral National Highway. There are frequent bus services from Chennai and it takes 2- 3 hours to reach. The Chennai Metropolitan and the state express transport operate the services.

History

As per Hindu legend, once there was an argument between Saraswathi, the consort of Brahma and Lakshmi on superiority. They went to Indra, the king of celestial deities. Indra judged Lakshmi as superior and not satisfied with his argument, Saraswathi went to her husband, Brahma. He also chose Lakshmi to be the superior one. Saraswathi was unhappy with the decision and decided to stay away from Brahma. Brahma did a severe penance praying to Vishnu and did an Aswamedha Yagna. Saraswathi was still angry that the yagna, which usually is done along with consorts, was done alone by Brahma. She tried to disrupt the penance in various ways, but Vishnu interfered in all her attempts. After all the demons were killed by Vishnu, who were sent by Saraswati to destroy the yagna (penance) done by Brahma, she finally sent a ferocious Sarpam (snake). Lord Vishnu took the form of Ashtabhuja Perumal holding 8 different weapons to kill the snake. The snake is found on the Vayu end of the yaaga sala as "Sarabeswaran" in this temple. Another legend associates this temple to Gajendra moksham given by Vishnu to the elephant king Gajendra. Yogi Mahasandan decided to renounce his life in this earthly world and to reach the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu. He plunged into penance for the purpose. Mahasandhan had such powers equal to Indira the king of Devas. Indira was shocked by the penance of Mahasandan and sent alluring beautiful women of his world to entice Mahasandhan to spoil his penance. They could not move the yogi. Finally, Indira came in the guise of male elephant and succeeded in his design. The yogi enticed by the beauty of the elephant, took the form of an elephant himself and wandered in the forest till he reached Salagramam for a bath. The yogi elephant was able to recollect his penance and the defeat he suffered then. It began visiting the Divya Desas, worshipped Perumal and sought a remedy for the folly it committed. Sage Mrikandu advised the elephant to go to Kanchi and worship Lord Varadaraja Perumal to realize its wish. It so happened that the elephant came to Lord Ashtabhuja Perumal temple and began worshipping him 14,000 flowers each day. As it could not get sufficient flowers one day, it began plucking flowers from a nearby tank and was caught by a crocodile. As Gajendra did in the past, this elephant cried ‘Aadhi Moolame’ for protection. Lord, as he saved Gajendra in the past, appeared before the yogi elephant on his Garuda, cut the crocodile with his discus and granted salvation to the yogi elephant.

Architecture

The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. The temple has three inscriptions on its walls, two dating from the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE) and one to that of Rajendra Chola (1018-54 CE). A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a four-tiered Rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, in the temple. The temple is known as ‘Ashtabujakaram’ as Lord Aadhikesava Perumal is seen with 8 hands holding 8 weapons. This temple is in Vishnu Kanchi. The temple has a small tank in front of it and has three gopurams. The three-tier Gopuram is beautifully engraved with sculptors in amazing color combinations. There is a separate shrine for Alamelumangai. Other name of the mother is Padmasani. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Bhuvaraha, Hanuman, Alwars, Andal, Chakra and Sarabeswara. The specialty of this temple is that the sun rays falls directly into the sanctum of Lord Adi Kesava Perumal for a whole week during the month of mid-September to mid-October and mid-March to mid-April. Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is glorified in the early canon, the Nalayira Divya Prabandham and the hymns were sung by the Azhwars, the great saints. The Pushkarani (temple tank) of Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is called as Gajendra Pushkarani. The Vimanam (the tower above the sanctum sanctorum) of Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is called as Ganganakkruthi, Sanganakkruthi Vimanam. In Ashtabujakaram Temple, Lord Vishnu is seen with 8 hands. He holds Chakram, Sword, a Flower and an Arrow on the 4 right hands and Sangu, Bow, Kedayam (which is used to protect while fighting using a sword) and Gadha (Which can be found along with Hanuman and Bhima). All the eight things (or) Ayudham (weapon) found on the hands of the Perumal is called as “Divya Ayudha Azhwargal”. This is the only Divya Desam in Kanchipuram that has a Swarga Vaasal (Gateway to Heaven). This is one of the celebrated 108 Divya Desam of Perumal and it is ranked 44. Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple was built by Thondaiman Chakravarthy who is popularly named as Vayiramoghan. Paal Payasam (Milk Kheer), Aval and Appam are delicious prasadams at this temple.

Timings:6.30 am to 12.00 noon, 4.00 pm to 8.30 pm