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| Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram TN. astroved.com |
The Ulagalantha Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, stands as a magnificent testament to Dravidian architecture and Vaishnava theology. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is uniquely significant as one of the 108 Divya Desams. Glorified by the Vaishnava saints like Thirumangai Azhwar and Thirumaḻisai Alvar in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham - the 7th - 9th century Vaishnava canon
God Vishnu is worshipped as Ulagalantha Perumal, his consort being Lakshmi as Amuthavalli. The urchava deity of the temple is Loganathan Why does this temple stand apart from other Vishnu temple of Tamil Nadu or elsewhere? Unlike others, this temple complex houses four distinct Divya Desams within its precincts: Tiruürakam, Tirukkarakam, Tirukkaravanam, and Tiruneerakam—a rarity in Hindu temple tradition. The main central shrine is known as Peragam. A visit to this temple is akin to going on a pilgrimage to four divyadesam shrines.
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Mythological Significance
The temple is centered on the Vamana avatar of Vishnu. According to legend, Vishnu descended as the dwarf Brahmin Vamana to subdue the pride of the benevolent Asura King Mahabali. The presiding deity, Ulagalantha Perumal, is depicted in a colossal form (Vishvarupa), standing over 35 feet tall. His iconography is striking: one leg is planted on the earth, the left leg is raised at a right angle to measure the heavens, and his fingers gesture toward the third step destined for Mahabali’s head. Adjacent to the main shrine is the Tiruürakam, where Vishnu is worshipped as the serpent Adishesha, a form taken to allow Mahabali to witness the deity in a more accessible scale. Here,Childless couple visite tobelss with a baby.
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Located on the third precinct, in the Tiruürakamshrine the presiding deity is Karunakara Perumal facing north and seated on Adishesha and his consort Padmamani Nachiyar; the vimana is called Vamana Vimanam or Ramaya Vimanam.
In The Tirukkaravanam shrine of the second precinct, the main deity is called Kalvar,his consort being Kamalavalli Thayar. Gauri Tatakam and Taratara Tatakam are the temple tanks here; the temple and the vimana is called Puskala Vimana.
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| Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram holyshrines.in |
Architecturally, the temple reflects the contributions of several great dynasties. The earliest inscriptions date back to 846 CE during the reign of the Pallava King Nandivarman III. Subsequent records detail lavish grants of land and gold from Medieval Chola kings like Kulothunga I and Rajaraja III, as well as the Sambuvarayar. These inscriptions provide a window into ancient commerce, mentioning licenses for shops selling oil, ghee, and textiles. The temple features a three-tier Rajagopuram and a vast 60,000-square-foot layout, designed with elevated roofs to accommodate the massive central idol.
Religious Practices
Spiritually, the temple remains a vibrant center of worship. Priests perform six daily rituals, each following the three-step sequence of alangaram (decoration), nivedhanam (offering), and deepa aradhanai (lamp waving). Pallava dynasty made grants to cover pooja rituals, etc. The two major festivals of this temple are Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Thai (January–February) and Vamana Jayanthi during the Tamil month of Avani (August–September) on Sravanam star and they draw thousands of devotees.
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| Kanchipuram,Location map mapsofindia.com |
Thirumangai Azhwar has sung in praise of all the four shrines in a single hymn (verse) of Thirunedunthandakam. The temple tank, Naga Theertham, is located outside the main temple complex. Immortalized in the hymns of the Azhwar saints, particularly Thirumangai Azhwar, the temple continues to be a pinnacle of devotion and a guardian of Tamil Nadu's rich cultural heritage.
https://www.pilgrimaide.com/blog/Ulagalantha-Perumal-Temple-Kanchipuram
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulagalantha_Perumal_Temple,_Kanchipuram
https://holyshrines.in/ulagalantha-perumal-temple-kanchipuram
https://www.oneindia.com/temples/ulagalantha-perumal-temple-kanchipuram-i248
https://destinationinfinity.org/2011/11/13/the-temples-of-kanchipuram
K. N. Jayaraman
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