Vishnu Kanchi Temple History, Timings, Darshan, and Puja Details

According to the Kamakshivilasam, Kanchi is referred to as Akasa Pitha, much as Chidambaram is known as Akasa kshetra. Kanchi, Akasa Pitha, is also mentioned in the Soubhagya Chintamani. Eleven verses in the Umasamhita discuss the Teertayatra (Pilgrimage) of the renowned Vyasa Rishi. When he went to Saptagodavari, Nandi, the Siva vehicle, cursed him, saying that his hands would always be that way. After a long journey, Vyasa followed Vishnu’s advice and arrived in Kanchi to worship Siva to get rid of the curse. Two stucco images can still be seen on the vimana of the Vyasa-Santasyaya temple, which is situated between Siva-Kanchi and Vishnu-Kanchı. The visits of the Sages to this Kanchi village are mentioned in the Markandeya Purana. The Kamakotipuri-Kanchi is associated with the sacred Kaveri river in the South by the Bhagavatha Purana, and the Srirangaam Sakti Tantras list Kanchā as one of the nation’s most significant Sakti Pitas. Out of 108 Sakti Pithas, or places of Devi worship, in India, according to the Mahalakshmi Tantra, 18 are significant. Three of these 18 are particularly significant: Kamarajapitha in Kanchā, the Pitha at Kamarupa, and the Pitha at Jalandhara. Much later, Sri Harsha narrates the existence of a Kanchian reigning prince in the Damayanti Swayamvara.

Vishnu Kanchi Temple History

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple

Satyavritakshetra, also known as Hastigiri. After the Yaga, Brahma received darshan from Lord Vishnu as he emerged from the fire carrying Sanka and Chakra. Using a mula bera crafted of Atti Wood, Brahma installed the bronze god and began the Utsavas (festival). This Utsava is referred to as Brahmotsava since Brahma himself performed it. Eventually, the elephant that was Indra’s travel assumed the shape of a hill, known as Hastigırı, which is home to the Varadaraja shrine (hasti meaning elephant, gırı meaning hill). According to another story, it is Attigirı because the idol was crafted from Attı or wood. Eventually, a stone sculpture that is currently being worshipped at the Garbhagriha took the place of this wooden idol.
Thus, we learn from this Sthalapurana that Brahma performed the fire of Yaga, whereupon the Lord Varadaraja, also known as Arulala Perumal, appeared and was housed in the temple.

Ashta Bhuja Perumal Temple

Located next to Rangaswamy Tank, on the southern side of the main road, is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known as Ashta Bhuja Perumal (Lord with eight hands). Peyalvar and Thirumangaı alvar sing of this old temple. This lord has also been praised by Vedanta Desikar. The Pallava kıng Vaisameghan, also known as Nandivarman-II, is said to have worshipped in this temple, according to Thirumangai Alvar.

Deepa Prakasar Temple

With a Garbhagriha enshrining the main deity, Deepa Prakashar, also known as Vilakkoli Perumal, with consorts Sri Devi and Bhudevi on either side of the Lord, this temple faces west. The temple’s Ardhamandapa, mahamandapa, Antarala, and Garbhagriha are connected to the Pradakshina mandapa surrounding the main shrine. We refer to the Sikhara above the Garbhagriha as Sri-kara vimana.

Sri Alagiya Singa Perumal Temple

The main temple enshrines the idol of Vishnu in the form of Alagiya Singar (Lord Yoga-
Narasımha) with four hands Upper two hands carry Sankha and Chakra, and the lower two show Abhaya and Kadika mudras. The Utsavabera with his consort is also in worship inside this Garbhagriha.

Pandava Duta perumal Temple

This temple faces east and is situated on Pandavaperumal temple Sannadhi Street in Siva Kanchi. It has a small tower at the entrance, and a compound wall surrounds it. A small shrine dedicated to Garuda faces the main shrine, followed by a Bali pita and Dwajasthambha. Another later addition (perhaps from the Vijayanagara period) is the huge hall in front with its many pillars. Machya Pushkarani, a tiny tank accessible via steps from the western side of the temple complex, is located in the northeast corner.

Thiru Neeragam

This temple is located inside Ulagalanda Perumal Temple. This shrine is situated next to the south-facing compound wall on the northern side of the temple. At this shrine, there is also an idol of a standing Vishnu with four hands and an Ardhamandapa housed in a Garbhagriha. The deity is also referred to as Jagadesvara Perumal, and the vimana is known as Jagadesvara vimana. Nilamangai is the goddess’ name. Thirumangai Alvar sings about the god, and the holy water is known as Akrura-Theertham.

Nilathingal Thundathu Perumal Temple (Chandragupta Perumal)

Standing, Lord Vishnu has four hands: the upper two hold chakras in the sankha position, while the lower two display the Varada and abhaya mudras. Situated on the northeast corner of the inner prakara of the Sr. Ekambaresvara temple in Kanchā, the deity is housed in a distinct shrine. The Lord is known as Nilathundathan, and he has a serpent covering his head and a half moon over his head. The snake features seven heads. The intriguing part about this situation is that the original stucco statue of the same god was damaged, therefore a new stone idol was put in its place. The shrine also houses the exquisite Onginal Stucco figure, however, it is not used for worship. Thırumangai alvar also sings of this lord.

Ulagalanda Perumal Temple

This temple, which is situated close to the bus stop and on the route to the Sr. Kamakshi temple is another early pre-Pallava shrine. The primary deity within the Garbhagriha is a plaster figure known as Trivikrama (Ulagalanda Perumal) (Plate XLVIII (a)), which is said to be one of Lord Vishnu’s ten incarnations and is described in the Vamana avatar tale. The Cholas skillfully constructed the Garbhagriha and Ardhamandapa in sandstone and granite stone with sala-sikhara (vimana) appropriate for the garbhagriha’s size, all without affecting the original enormous early stucco statue of Trivikrama.

Other sub-temples in this shrine are

Thiru Uragam or Uragatan
Thiru Karvanam
Thiru Karagatu Perumal (Thiru Karagam)

Yathoktakari Temple (Sonna Vannam Saida Perumal)

This temple is located north of Gandhi Road, which is the main route. The west entrance of the temple is known as the gopura, and it features five tala. A compound wall encloses the temple. Yatoktakarā is the name of the deity ā. “Sonnavannam Saita Perumal” is the name in Tamıl for the Lord who fulfilled his devotee’s desire. According to mythology, Thirumazhisai Alvar, a devout follower of the Lord of Thiruvekha, had a disciple named Kanikkannan.
When the monarch heard of his extraordinary ability, he asked him to sing a song in his honor. Kannikannan, however, declined and declared that he would not sing in honor of a person. He was summoned to leave Kanchi city by the enraged king.
Feeling distressed, Thirumazhisai Alvar prayed to the Lord of Thiruvekha, asking him to accompany him on his exile because his pupil was gone. He also asked the Lord of Tiruvekha to fold his bed (Adisesha). The follower also departed with them since he believed that their word was the word of God. When the Lord, Alvar, and Alvar’s student arrived at a village on the bank, the entire city was enveloped in the darkness of the Palar (Or-Iravu-lrukkar) River and came to a stop there. The monarch went to the village after realizing his error and asked them to return to the city.
The Alvar promised the king he would not come back without his followers. Subsequently, the monarch begged Kanākannan to pardon him and go back to Kanchi. After that, Alvar and his pupil Kanikannan left the city, and the Lord promised to return in response to Alvar’s prayers. In response to Alvar’s prayer, the Lord quickly changed his sleeping position such that his head was on the right and his feet were on the left—a position that is uncommon in any Visnu temple—and folded his bed to accompany him out of his camp. As the Alvar instructed, the Lord is referred to as Yatoktakarı (Sonnavnnam Saıta Perumal).

Sri Vaikunta Perumal Temple

This temple’s vimana is called Chatur-tala (four fatigued vimana) and asthanga vimana. Lord Vishnu, also known as Vaikunthanathan, is shown in the sanctum sanctorum alongside Sridevi and Bhudevi. On the ground floor, there are two prakaras (Pradakshina). The inner prakara is accessible through the elegant eight-pillared hall known as the Antarala, while the second prakara can be reached via the staircase set into the second enclosing wall.

Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple

Located on the southern side of the main road leading from Kanchi to Vellore is this temple. To get to the temple, turn left on the road after passing Baluchetty Chatram. The actual temple is situated in the center of the village of Thıruputkuzı. The location is called Thiurpputkuzhi. Thiru is typically used as a prefix for elders or gods. Here, “bird” (meaning “Pakshi”) refers to Jatayu. Kuzhi is the name for the pot-hole where libations of water are poured in memory of the deceased during performances. With Lord Rama having fulfilled Jatayu’s final rituals, this location is appropriately named Thirupputkuzhā.

Other Vishnu Kanchi Temple List

Thirukalvanur Kalvar Perumal (Adi Varaha Perumal)
Sri Pavalavannar Temple (Thiru Pavalavannam)
Pacchaivannar Temple
Urugumulla Perumal (Inside Kumarakottam)
Sri Kuratalvan Temple at Kuram
Adi Kesava Perumal Temple at Kuram
Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal Temple at Sevilimedu

Vishnu Kanchi Temple Timings

6 a.m to 12 p.m.
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The temple remains closed from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m for darshan