Sri Gajendra varadha perumal - Asthabujakaram



About the temple

The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Adikeseva perumal, also known as Gajendra Varadhan. The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Tondai naatu divyadesams. There is a seperate sannadhi for Alarmelmangai thayar/Padmasini. The Lord gives darshan here with eight arms holding eight weapons namely conch, bow, mace, discus, sword, shield, arrow and flower. The utsava moorthy has four hands with mace and spear in the hands.  


The place is popular for the Gajendra Moksham story. An elephant called Gajendra used to pick lotus flowers from the pond and offer it to the Lord. Once a crocodile caught hold of his leg and the elephant called Lord Vishnu for help. The Lord then gave pratyaksham to the elephant and threw his disc at the crocodile to save the elephant. Also, it is believed that the Lord gave Peyalwar an opportunity to witness the Gajendra Moksham event at this place once again. The temple is said to be the only divyadesam in Kanchi with a Swarga Vaasal. Another story associated with this temple is that Lord Vishnu took the form with eight hands holding eight weapons to kill the ferorious snake sent by Saraswati to disturb the homa being performed by Brahma.


How to reach

The temple is at a walkable distance from Yatotkari perumal temple and on the way from Kanchipuram bus stand to Varadarajar perumal temple.



Sannadhis

Gajendra Varadhan
Padmasini thayar
Andal
Anjaneya
Boo Varahar
Garudar
Peyalwar

Temple pushkarni and vimanam

The temple tank is called Gajendra pushkarni and the vimanam is known as Gaganakriti vimanam.

Temple timings

The temple is open in the mornings from 7.30 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4.30 pm to 8 pm. 

Temples in proximity

3 comments:

Ushnish Ghosh said...

Thank you so much! It is like doing all the Tirthas through your blog ! But someday I want to see all the religious places in South ...
Have a nice week

chitra said...

But I saw a temple related to same story near Kumbhakonam. There I saw idol in sayanakolam. I shall post soon.

EC said...

Thanks Ushnish..Hope the Lord gives you too an opportunity to visit all these temples some day

@ Chitra..yes, that too is Gajendra varadhan perumal at Kapisthalam- you might be referring to this..http://temples-india.blogspot.com/2008/11/gajendra-varadan-perumal-temple.html

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