Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Sri Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Vaikunta Perumal Temple or Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, located in Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one among the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vaikuntanathan (Lord Paramapadanathan) and his consort Lakshmi as Vaikundavalli.

Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. Sri Ramanujar and Sri Manavalamamunigal are said to have been to the temple. Sri Thirumangai Alvar has done Mangalasasnam in praise of the Lord here (10 Pasurams).

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As per Dr. Hultzh, Thiruparameswara Vinnagaram was constructed by the Pallava King Nandivarman II in 690 CE, while other scholars place it in the late 8th century. Pallavamallan was a worshipper of Vishnu and a great patron of learning. He renovated old temples and built several new ones. Among the latter was the Parameswara Vinnagaram or the Vaikunta Perumal temple at Kanchipuram which contains inscribed panels of sculpture portraying the events leading up to the accession of Pallavamalla to the throne. The temple is surrounded by a granite wall enclosing all the shrines and water bodies of the temple.

The architecture of the temple is very beautiful and the temple is presently under the care of the Archeological survey of India.

It is believed that Lord Vishnu taught 18 different arts to Parameswara Varman in his standing posture and on his grand sitting posture he made advises to him as an acharya would do to his disciple and finally got into his sleeping posture so as to be served by parameswara varman as a disciple would do to his Guru. We can see all HIS three postures in this 3 tiered temple.

The temple tank is called Airammadha theertham and the vimanam is known as Mukunda vimanam.

As per Hindu legend, the region where the temple is located was called Vidarbha Desa and was ruled by a king named Viroacha. Due to his misdeeds in preceding birth, Virocha did not have any children. He prayed in Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram and Shiva, the presiding deity of the temple gave a boon that the Dvarapalas (the gatekeepers) of the Vishnu temple will be born as sons to him. After that, two boys named Pallavan and Vallavan were born to him. Both the kids were devoted to Vishnu and conducted Ashwametha yagna for the welfare of the people of their kingdom. When these two were doing Yagnam, Perumal Sri Vishnu gave his seva in Irundha thirukkolam. He gave his seva as “Paramapadha – Sri Vaikundanathan”. Because of this, the sthalam is said as Vaikuntha Perumal Temple.

This sthalam also tells us how the vaishnavam and Saivam relationship should be treated. Veerochana king worshipped Lord shiva for the child, but it was the Vishnu Bhaktha who were born. So, it clearly tells that there should be no any fights (or) misunderstanding between the caste and all the Gods are said to be treated as a single one.

Vaikunta Perumal Temple Kanchipuram — Vaikunta Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram

The Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June), and Vaikunta Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) are the two major festivals celebrated in the temple. Verses from Nalayira Divya Prabandham are recited by a group of temple priests amidst music with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument).

Special Rituals in Vaikunta Perumal Temple

The temple follows Vaikasana Agama. Like other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste.

The Deity at Vaikunta Perumal Temple

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Paramabadha Nathan also called as Vaikunthanathan. Moolavar is in sitting position facing West . Prathyaksham for Pallava king. Thayar of this sthalam is Vaikunthavalli thayar. The temple is revered by the verses of Tirumangai azhwar.

Vaikunta Perumal Temple Daily Pooja Schedule

The temple is open from 7:30 am till 12:00 noon and from 4:30 pm till 7:30 pm

Kanchipuram is around 75 km from Chennai off the Chennai – Vellore/ Bangalore highway via Sri Perumbudur. Kanchipuram is well connected by several bus services from Chennai. There is a railway station in Kanchipuram with a few train services from Chennai in the mornings. The temple is at a walkable distance from the Kanchipuram bus stand and Thiru Ooragam temple.