Tiruththanka Sri Vilakoli Perumal Temple- Kanchipuram

Address

Tiruththanka Sri Vilakkoli Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram -631 501. Phone: +91- 98944 43108

Diety

Vilakkoli Perumal – Deepa Prakasar, Amman: : Maragathavalli

Introduction

Tiruththanka, or Tooppul (also called Deepaprakasa Perumal Temple) 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 Deepa Prakasar and his consort Lakshmi as Maragathavailli. Theertham : Saraswathi Theertham

Puranic Significance

The temple is believed to have been expanded during the Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. The temple has inscriptions on its walls dating from the period of Rajaraja Chola III (1223 CE). A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a two-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. Another version of the legend states that Saraswathi sent raakshakas to spoil the penance, which was spoiled by the stream of light from Vishnu. Since Vishnu appeared as light to overcome the darkness of the situation, he was termed Deepaprakasa Perumal.Vedanta Desika (1268 – 1369 CE) was an ardent devotee of Deepa Prakasa Temple at Thoppul. The devotion of Desika is mentioned in Saranagathi Deepika in 59 verses.

Beliefs

Devotees pray for child boon and to achieve excellence in education. Devotees perform Tirumanjanam to Lord and Mother offering vastras on realizing their wishes.

Special Features

The temple is located in Vishnu Kanchi along with most other Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram. The temple has a three-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower. The temple has a rectangular plan surrounded by brick walls and has two precincts. The central shrine of the temple has the image of the presiding deity, Deepaprakasa Perumal in sitting posture. There are shrines for Lakshmi Hayagriva, Andal, Vedanta Desika and Alwars. It is the birthplace of Vedanta Desika. There is a separate shrine for Lord Hayagreeva along with Vedanta Desika. The temple tank, Saraswathi Theertham, is located outside the premises. A shrine is dedicated to Vedanta Desika facing South is seen in the temple. The icon of Desika is believed to be installed by his son Nayinar Varadhachariar. The image is seen sporting Abhaya Mudra (palm displayed in attitude of protection). The temple practises Vaikhasana Agama.

Festivals

The event of Lord Varadaraja Perumal granting Darshan on His Garuda vahan to Saint Vedanta Maha Desikan in Vaikasi is grandly celebrated in May-June. The Aavani festival in AugustSeptember of Lord Vilakkoli Perumal visiting Desika’s shrine and the one in Margazhi (December-January) of Perumal honouring Desika are the festivals that demand many eyes for the devotees to enjoy the Lord’s grace.