Thiruvekka Sri Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal (Yathothkari )Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Thiruvekka Sri Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal (Yathothkari )Temple, Thiruvekka ,Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501

Diety

Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal, Amman: Komalavalli

Introduction

Tiruvekkaa Temple or Yathothkari Perumal Temple (locally called Sonnavannam Seitha Perumall) is a Hindu temple located in Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu and 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 Yathothkari Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Komalavalli.

Puranic Significance

The temple is considered one of three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram, the other two being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Pandava Thoothar 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. There is a three-tiered rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, in the temple. As per Hindu legend, once there was an argument between Saraswathi, the consort of Brahma and Lakshmi on superiority. They went to Indra, the king of celestial deities. Indra judged Lakshmi as superior and not satisfied with his argument, Saraswathi went to her husband, Brahma. He also chose Lakshmi to be the superior one. Saraswathi was unhappy with the decision and decided to stay away from Brahma. Brahma did a severe penance praying to Vishnu and did an Aswametha Yagna. Saraswathi was still angry that the yagna, which usually is done along with consorts was done alone by Brahma. She tried to disrupt the penance, but Vishnu interfered with his serpent Adisesha. Saraswathi, on seeing Vishnu in her path, accepted her defeat and subsided in the form of river Vegavathi. As Vishnu interfered the path of the river, it was termed Vegavani, then as Vegannai and gradually corrupted to Vekka. The presiding deity thus got one of his names, Vegasetu. As per historian Nagaswamy, the temple was called Vehha meaning Vishnu leaning as a slanted slope, which gradually became vekka

Beliefs

Italam Perumal, who heard what Alvar said, will listen to our grievances and fulfill them. Perumal and his mother get married and fulfill their prayers.

Special Features

The central shrine of the temple has the image of presiding deity, “Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal” sported in Bhuganja Sayanam posture. The West facing sanctum is approached through the flagstaff, pillared halls, namely Mahamandapam and the Ardhamandapam. The stucco image of the presiding deity is a rare one of Ranganatha recumbent on his left hand unlike other temples where he is recumbent on his right. It is believed that Perumal was lying left to right as in other temples, but on hearing Thirumalisai Azhwar sing, he turned his lying posture from right to left

Festivals

The traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows vaikanasa aagama. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis.