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 appears green as emerald, hence praised as Pachai Vanna Perumal – Pachai Vannam-emerald green. As He granted darshan to sage Marichi alone, Mothers are not with Him in the sanctum sanctorum. He granted darshan as Rama to the Rishi, hence worshipped as Lord Rama and Mother as Sita. Also the color of planet Mercury-Budha is green. As the Lord of the planet, devotees worship Him with green clothing and Tulsi leaves archanas for relief from any adverse aspect of this planet. Just opposite here is the Pavala Vanna Nathar temple, (red as a coral) one of the 108 Divya Desas. Worshipping Perumals – Pachai Vanna Nathar and Pavala Vanna Nathar is a rare darshan opportunity for the devotees. Mother Mahalakshmi blesses the devotees from a separate shrine. Generally Sri Chakra is installed in temples either opposite Mother’s shrine or nearby. Here, Sri Chakra is installed in the shrine itself. Mother blesses her devotees in three forms, Sri Chakra Rupini, Mahalakshmi and Sita. Divine serpent Adisesha, serving Lord as His bed in the Milk Ocean was born as Lakshmana in Ramavatara accompanying the Lord in His great mission of establishing Dharma. Thus, Lord honoured Adisesha in His Ramavatara as His brother. When He granted darshan to Marichi, he could not become Adisesha here. He begged the Lord to give him the chance of beating Him. Obliging him, Lord appeared on his head in the form of Jyoti. Hence, Nagadeepam (lamp on Naga-serpent) is kept in Mother’s shrine. This Jyoti story has another backing too. Lord Brahmma conducted a yajna without inviting His consort Saraswati. Angry Saraswathi caused hindrance to the Yajna in the form of a jyoti. Lord Vishnu came there in the same Jyoti form and helped Brahamma to complete the rituals. Hence, Nagadeepam is considered the very form Lord Vishnu in the temple.

Marichi Maharshi was a staunch Vishnu devotee. He had a doubt. Why Lord Vishnu, though being highest of all, should take an avatar as a human-Ramavatara? Even so, why and how He let Ravana abduct Mother Sita? He wanted to have the answer from Lord Himself directly. Lord granted darshan to the Rishi. The Rishi put forth his questions. He asked, “is it you who incarnated as Rama? How you could afford to let Ravana to abduct Mother Sita? Could this happen without your knowledge? Was it necessary that you had to travel long to Lanka to rescue her with the help of Sri Anjaneya, can’t you do it individually yourself?” Lord explained. “This was an avatar to please everyone who loved me. Lord Shiva is very fond of me who incarnated as Sri Anjaneya. Many joined me in my mission. I enjoyed the company of all who loved me.” Adding, Lord further explained the family dharma that sons should respect and obey father and mother. Brothers should live in unity and how they should respect their sisters-in-law. How the characters of both men and women should be in order. This avatar was to set the rules for an ideal family.” Lord gave darshan to Sage Marichi as Pachai Vanna Perumal. Sage had his doubts cleared.

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.