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Abodes of Vishnu

45. Arulmigu Maragathavalli sameda Deepa Prakasar Temple,Thiru Thanga

Mulavar   Deeba Prakaasar
Utsavar    
Thayar   Maragathavalli
Kshethram    
Pose & Direction   Standing pose facing West
Theertham   Saraswathi Theertham
Vimanam   Srigara Vimanam
Sthala Vruksham    
Paadiyavar   Thirumangaialwar
Travel Base   Kanchipuram
Nearest Railway Station   Kanchipuram

Location

This temple is located 1km away from Attapuyakarathan Temple in Chinna Kanchipuram. The temple is just a kilometer from Kancheepuram bus stand. This sthalam is situated about 1/2 km from Ashtabujakaram temple in Kanchipuram. The temple can be approached by two ways. 1. Drive down straight from the Kanchipuram bus stand towards Varadaraja perumal temple, but don’t take the right indicated by the direction board. Instead head straight and after crossing the turn for the SH 116, you can see a gopuram in a small lane on the left. Go inside and it will lead to the temple. 2. Travelling from Bus stand to Varadaraja perumal temple, just before Ashtabujakaram temple take a right to Vilakkoli Temple Street and keep travelling almost to the end. You can see the gopuram of Vedanta Desikar Sannadhi a little bit inside in the right side.

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, but Vishnu interfered and her plans were spoiled by the stream of light from Vishnu. Since Vishnu appeared as light to overcome the darkness of the situation, he was termed Vilakkoli Perumal and Deepa Prakasa Perumal in Sanskrit. Perumal also helped a compromise and re-union between Brahmma and Saraswathi. Saraswathi accepted her mistake in trying to repeatedly block the Yagam and came back to Brahmma. It is believed that Saraswathi herself appeared here as the ‘sacred water’, and a cold one at that, so as to cool the hot burning hand of Lord Vishnu, who had taken the fire in his hand to protect Brahmma. Brahmma invited the Devas to attend the Yagam. Not to be left behind, the Asuras too decided to attend. However, Brahmma ignored them. Angered at Brahmma not taking notice of their presence, the Asuras went to Saraswathi and poisoned her thoughts once again. They decided to create a dangerous Asura to destroy the Yagam. The Asura, Maya Nalan, went to the Yagam in the form of a dangerous fire. Once again coming to Brahmma’s rescue, Lord Vishnu took the fire in his hand and held it so served as a lighting lamp. He appeared in this form before Saraswathi, who had followed the Asura. Saraswathi accepted her mistake in trying to repeatedly block the Yagam and came back to Brahmma. It is believed that Saraswathi herself appeared here as the ‘sacred water’, and a cold one at that, so as to cool the hot burning hand of Lord Vishnu, who had taken the fire in his hand to protect Brahmma.

Architecture

The temple has a three-tiered Rajagopuram, the gateway tower. The temple has a rectangular plan surrounded by brick walls and has two precincts. The central shrine of the temple has the image of the presiding deity, Deepa Prakasa Perumal in standing posture. There are shrines for Lakshmi Hayagriva, Andal, Vedanta Desika and Alwars. This Temple in Kanchipuram centre is also called Tirutanka or Thoopul. The Lord here is called 'Deepaprakasar' or 'Vilakkoli Perumal' (One who had given light). Thayaar is worshipped as Maragathavalli Thayaar. It is the birthplace of Vedanta Desika. There is a separate shrine for Lord Hayagriva along with Vedanta Desika. The temple tank, Saraswathi Theertham, is located outside the premises. A shrine is dedicated to Vedanta Desika facing South is seen in the temple. The icon of Desika is believed to be installed by his son Nayinaar Varadhachariar. Murals depicting Vedanta Desika can be seen on the prakarams. The image is seen sporting Abhaya Mudra (palm displayed in attitude of protection). The temple practises Vaigasana Agama. The Vimana above the Sanctum Sanctorum is called Srikara Vimana. There are shrines in the temple for Mother Sri Mahalakshmi, Sri Andal, Lord Hayagriva, Vilakkoli Perumal, Azhwars, Garuda Bhagwan and Acharya Sri Vedanta Maha Desikaswami. The temple Vagana Mandapam is very huge. The presiding deity is Sri Deepa Prakasa perumal or Vilakkoli perumal in a standing posture. The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas under Tondai Naatu divyadesams. There is a separate Sannadhi for Maragathavalli Thayar. Sri Deepa Prakasa Perumal Temple is glorified in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the great canon, and the hymns were sung by the saints Azhwars.

Timings:7.30 am to 10.00 am, 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm