Sri Ashtabujakaram Perumal Temple- Kanchipuram

Deity: Adi Kesava Perumal (Vishnu) , Amman:  Alamelu Mangai (Lakshmi)
Temple Address: Sri Ashtabujakaram Perumal Temple, Gandhi Rd, Chinna Kanchipuram, Ennaikaran, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 63150
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

• Location: Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
• Deity: Ashtabujakaram Perumal (Vishnu)
• Consort: Alamelumangai
• Theertham: Gajendra Pushkarani
• Architecture: Dravidian style
• Inscriptions: Kulothunga Chola I (1070-1120 CE), Rajendra Chola (1018-1054 CE)
• Temple dedicated to Vishnu as Ashtabujakaram (eight-armed form)
• Part of the 108 Divyadesams
• Glorified in the Divya Prabandha
• Worships Vishnu as Ashtabujakaram and his consort Lakshmi as Alamelumangai

Puranic Significance

• Renovated by Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagara kings
• Legends associated with:
  • Vishnu’s intervention during the conflict between Saraswati and Lakshmi
  • Vishnu assumes Ashtabujakaram form to defeat demons and protect Brahma’s penance
  • Gajendra Moksha: Vishnu saves the elephant king Gajendra from a crocodile
• Inscriptions from Kulothunga Chola I and Rajendra Chola on temple walls

Beliefs

• Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in buying property and resolving issues with existing homes
• Tirumanjanam (ritual bath) offered to Perumal for blessings

Special Features

• Located in Vishnu Kanchi (Chinna Kanchipuram), 2 km from Varadaraja Perumal Temple
• Four-tiered rajagopuram (gateway tower)
• Ashtabujakaram Vishnu image with eight weapons: sword, shield, mace, bow, arrow, lotus, conch, chakra
• Mahalakshmi depicted on Vishnu’s chest with a Saligrama garland
• Separate shrine for Pushpakavalli Thayar (consort)
• Shrine for Varaha Perumal in a seated posture under the hood of serpents
• Friday Mandapam (hall) for worship
• Shrines dedicated to Hanuman, Alwars, Andal, and Sarabeswaran
• Gajendra Pushkarani temple tank outside the entrance

Festivals

• Vaikunta Ekadasi (Margazhi) – 10-day celebration, most significant festival
• Gajendra Moksha (Aadi) – Celebrated in Hastham star
• Rama Navami and Navaratri
• Daily rituals performed six times a day:
  • Ushathkalam (7 a.m.), Kalasanthi (8 a.m.), Uchikalam (12 p.m.), Sayarakshai (6 p.m.), Irandamkalam (7 p.m.), Ardha Jamam (10 p.m.)
  • Rituals include alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering), and deepa aradanai (lamp waving)
  • Nagaswaram and tavil played during the final worship, alongside Vedic recitations

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Saints and Singers

Mangalasasana: Bayalvar

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Best Time

கோயில்திறந்திருக்கும்நேரம் : 07.00 – 12.00 மற்றும் 16.00 – 20.00.

Accommodation

Kanchipurem

Nearest Bus Station

Kanchipurem

Nearest Railway Station

Kanchipurem

Nearest Airport

Chennai

Location on Map

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