Thirupadagam Sri Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple- Kanchipuram

Address

Thirupadagam Sri Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple- Thirupadakam (Kanchipuram) Periyakanchipuram – 631 502.

Diety

Pandavaduthar Amman: Rukmini

Introduction

The temple is believed to have been built by Pallavas, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks. Pandavathoothar Perumal Temple or Thirupadagam located in Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. 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. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Pandava Thoothar Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Rukmini. The temple is considered one of three oldest temples in Kanchipuram, the other two being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Yathothkari Perumal Temple. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. The temple has three inscriptions on its walls, two dating from the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE) and one to that of Rajadhiraja Chola (1018-54 CE). A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a four-tiered rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, in the temple. Theertham : Matsya Theertham

Puranic Significance

The temple is considered one of three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram, the other two being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Yathothkari Perumal Temple. The temple is originally believed to be built during the period of Pallavas. The temple has a set of inscriptions associated with Cholas. A record of the Chola king, Rajakesari Varaman alais Kulothunga Chola I, dated in his fifth year. Records that a merchant provided the temple with a flower garden and purchased from the village of Ovirukkai some lands for the benefit of the gardeners. The cost of the 2,000 kulis(tax-free) was 11 kalanjus equal in finesse of Madhuranthaka madai and the assembly could not levy in consequences vellikasu, nirallai, silvari, sorumattu etc. The south wall of the temple has inscriptions of Kulothunga Chola I, dated in his 39th year. Records gift of two kalanjus and two manjadi by a merchant to the pujari(temple priest) who were to supply two malis of curd daily.There are inscriptions on the base of the western wall of the central shrine from the period of Rajadhiraja Chola II (1166-78 CE) indicating gifts of 32 cows for lighting lamps of the temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Beliefs

It is the staunch belief that those born in Rohini star will be relieved of any hardship in life if they pray to Lord Krishna in this temple. Lord Krishna is pressing His feet here with his Viswapada Yoga powers. Hence those doing Adi Pradikshina, Anga Pradikshina will have their 72,000 veins energized and help them overcome any problems in life. It is advised that devotees pray here on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Rohini Star days, Ashtami the eight day from new moon or full moon days and on the 8th of each month.

Special Features

The temple is located in Big Kanchipuram near the Ekambareswarar Temple. The main entrance of the temple faces east and the temple has a rectangular plan. The temple has a four-tiered rajagopuram and a single precinct enclosed in the walls. The Maha mandapa is believed to have been built by the Cholas, while the adjacent hall during the period of Vijayanagara Empire. The central shrine of the temple has a large image of the presiding deity Pandava Thoothar, which has a height of 25 ft (7.6 m). Such a large historical image of Krishna is one of its kind. The deity is seen seated in Arda Padmasana posture with his right leg bent to the basement.

Festivals

There are two major festivals celebrated in the temple – Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Thai (January – February) and Vamana Jayanthi during the Tamil month of Avani(August – September) on Sravanam star.