Kanchipuram Pachai Vanna Nathar Perumal Temple

Address

Kanchipuram Pachai Vanna Nathar Perumal Temple

Big Kamala St, Melkathirpur, Periya,

Periya kanchipuram,

Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu 631502

Moolavar

Sripachaivannar (Emerald)

Amman

Maragahavalli

Introduction

Kanchipuram Pachai Vanna Nathar Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in the Periyakanchipuram, Kanchipuram district, and Tamil Nadu. Just opposite here is the Pavala Vanna Nathar temple, (red as a coral) one of the 108 Divya Desam. Worshipping Perumals – Pachai Vanna Nathar and Pavala Vanna Nathar is a rare darshan opportunity for the devotees.

Puranic Significance

Lord Vishnu’s Green Form:
Lord Vishnu is praised as Pachai Vanna Perumal (Green-colored Perumal) due to his appearance as an emerald green form. This unique color symbolizes purity and is also associated with Mercury (Budha), the green-colored planet. Devotees worship Him, especially with green clothing and Tulsi leaves in archanas, to mitigate any adverse influences of the planet Mercury.

Darshan to Sage Marichi:
The Lord granted a special darshan to Sage Marichi in a form without his divine consorts. Mothers (Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi) are not present with him in the sanctum sanctorum as He appeared before the sage alone. He granted darshan as Lord Rama, with Mother Sita by His side. This aligns with His avatar as Rama, where He explained his incarnation to the sage.

Sri Chakra in the Temple:
The Sri Chakra is installed in the Mother’s shrine in this temple, which is unusual, as Sri Chakras are typically placed either opposite or nearby the Mother’s shrine. Here, Mother Mahalakshmi blesses devotees in three forms: Sri Chakra Rupini, Mahalakshmi, and Sita. This makes the temple an important site for those seeking blessings from the divine feminine energy.

Connection to Planet Mercury:
The color green is significant as it represents Mercury (Budha), and as the Lord presides over this planet, devotees visit the temple to seek relief from adverse planetary influences. The Pavala Vanna Nathar Temple (Red-colored Perumal) lies opposite, offering devotees the rare opportunity to worship both Pachai Vanna Nathar and Pavala Vanna Nathar, representing the duality of green and red divine colors.

Nagadeepam and Adisesha:
Nagadeepam, a lamp kept on a serpent, symbolizes the serpent Adisesha, who served Lord Vishnu as His bed in the Milk Ocean. In the Ramavatara, Lord Vishnu honored Adisesha, incarnating as Lakshmana, His brother, to assist in His mission. After granting darshan to Sage Marichi, Adisesha begged the Lord to allow him the privilege of “beating” Him. The Lord obliged by appearing as a Jyoti (light) on his head. This light form of Lord Vishnu is honored as Nagadeepam in the temple, symbolizing the Lord’s omnipresence.

Lord Brahma’s Yajna:
Another significance of the Nagadeepam is tied to a story involving Lord Brahma. Brahma performed a yajna without inviting Saraswati, his consort, which angered her. She caused hindrances in the form of a Jyoti. To help Brahma complete his ritual, Lord Vishnu appeared in the same Jyoti form, thus making Nagadeepam a representation of Vishnu’s divine intervention in times of need.

Sage Marichi’s Doubts:
Sage Marichi was a devoted worshiper of Lord Vishnu but had doubts about the Lord’s Ramavatara. He questioned why Vishnu, the highest of all gods, would incarnate as Rama and allow Ravana to abduct Sita. He wondered if this event could happen without the Lord’s knowledge or if it was necessary for Him to travel to Lanka to rescue Sita with the help of Sri Anjaneya (Hanuman).
The Lord explained to the sage that this incarnation was to fulfill the desires of all who loved Him. Lord Shiva, in the form of Sri Anjaneya, was particularly fond of Lord Vishnu, and this mission was joined by various divine and earthly beings, reflecting the importance of unity in fulfilling dharma. The Ramavatara set rules for ideal family life, emphasizing respect and unity among family members and the roles of men and women in society.

Beliefs

Those facing concern about the welfare of children, adverse aspects of serpent planets and doubtful attitudes pray to Lord Perumal. Devotees perform special Tirumanjanam to Lord and Mother.

Special Features

In Kanchipuram, there are two temples of Pachai Vannar and Pavalai Vannar. Two shrines standing opposite to each other, two places where the Lord is mentioned by His color. He is seen in emerald green at the Pachai Vannar and coral colored at the Pavalai Vannar. Lord Maha Vishnu graces in the temple shining emerald green in a standing form. Mother has the attributes of three Mothers. The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old.