Sri Deepa Prakasar Perumal Temple, Thiruthanka (Thoopul)

About the temple

The presiding deity is Sri Deepa Prakasar perumal or Vilakoli perumal in a standing posture. The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas under Tondai naatu divyadesams. There is a seperate sannadhi for Maragathavalli thayar. Also called Thoopul, it is the avathara sthalam of Sri Vedanta Desikar. There is a big sannadhi for Sri Vedanta Desikar in Gnana muthirai. Sri Desikar's life is depicted in pictures in the prakaram of the sannadhi.

Demons tried to disturb the Yagna being performed by Brahma by darkening the whole world. Lord Vishnu then is believed to have appeared as a bright light to ensure continuity of the yagnam and hence is called Deepa Prakasar and Vilakku oli perumal wherein vilakku oli means brightness in tamil.

The entrance to Sri Desikar sannadhi

How to reach

The temple can be approached by two ways..

1. Drive down straight from the Kanchipuram bus stand towards Varadaraja perumal temple, but dont take the right indicated by the direction board..Instead head straight and after crossing the turn for the SH 116,  you can see a gopuram in a small lane on the left..Go inside and it will lead to the temple

2. Travelling from Bus stand to Varadaraja perumal temple, just before Asthabujagaram temple take a right to Vilakoli temple street and keep travelling almost to the end. You can see the gopuram of Vedanta Desikar sannadhi a little bit inside in the right.

Sannadhis

Deepaprakasar perumal

Maragathavalli thayar

Andal

Lakshmi Hayagreevar

Desikar

Alwars and Acharyas

Vimanam and Pushkarni

The temple tank is called Saraswati pushkarni and the vimanam is known as Sreekara vimanam.

Temples in proximity

Kanchipuram divyadesams

Thiruparameshwara Vinnagaram- Sri Vaikunta perumal temple, Kanchipuram

About the temple

The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Vaikunta naathan perumal or Paramapada nathan perumal in a sitting posture and thayar in a seperate sannadhi is known as Vaikuntha valli thayar. The temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri vaishnavas and comes under Tondai naatu divyadesams. The temple is among the very few temples with Ashtanga vimanam-the others being Thirukoshtiyur, Thiru Koodalazhagar and Uttiramerur. Although the upper tiers are not accessible now, the presiding deities there are in standing and reclining postures. Sri Ramanujar and Sri Manavalamamunigal are said to have been to the temple.

Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared here to bless the children of King of Vidarbha - Pallavan and Vallavan who performed Ashwamedha yagnam at this place. The children are believed to be the reincarnation of Vishnu's Dwarapalakas.

The architecture of the temple is very beautiful and the temple is presently under the care of the Archeological survey of India.

How to reach

The temple is at a walkable distance from the Kanchipuram bus stand and Thiru Ooragam temple.

Sannadhis

Paramapadha nathan perumal

Vaikuntha valli thayar

Temple pushkarni and vimanam

The temple tank is called Airammadha theertham and the vimanam is known as Mukunda vimanam.

Temples in proximity

Kanchipuram divyadesams

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

Kanchipuram divyadesams