Nagareshu Kanchi

The Beginning

It all began when we were looking to buy some property in and round Chennai when we spotted the advertisement from the madras co-operative society. They were selling sites in kanchipuram and we were interested. All of a sudden, sprang up an idea as to why not start visiting divya desams and why not start with kanchipuram? The thought was sudden and had no history or incidence to ignite it. So, the idea is definitely a blessing and an anugraham by itself. What started of as a material pursuit was leading us to a spiritual journey

Immediately, I looked up the internet to get details about the DDs in kanchi. And found that there were fourteen of them. Could we make it to all of them in a day or two with cheeru (our 3 year old son) with us??– Well, the intention is god given, and so the fulfillment also would be HIS. To add fervor to our spiritual quest, we got the help of one Shri. Ramakrishnan who was a retired deputy thahasildar in kanchi and was helping devotees in visiting temples. Though we were apprehensive about asking him for help, he openly confessed that he is no material guide and was doing it as a service to devotees. And truly, he lived up to it. He took us to all places patiently, told us the significance of each temple and helped us make the pilgrimage a true success. The place we stayed was MM Hotel - A saravana bhavan undertaking. The price is quite reasonable and service also is quite good.

I will be now giving details about the Divya desams that we visited in Kanchipuram, and any other significant information. It will be in the order of the most efficient path taken for a good time management

DD No. 1: Shri Varadarajar temple

Details:

• The temple is situated in Kanchipuram. Perumal is in standing posture, abhaya hastam with “Ma shuchah” (meaning “do not fear”) being inscribed on it.
• Thayar is “Perundevi Thayar”.
• There is a special 100 pillar mandapam where adishesha did tapas.
• This is the birth place of Vedanta Desikar

DD No. 2: Ulaga Alanda Perumal

• A giant darshan of Perumal (trivikraman) during the Vamana avataram.
• Has one leg in the skies and the other on mahabali’s head. Very beautiful and majestic. Has the innocence of the small child in his face.
• When mahabali’s was stamped by Emperumaan's feet, he could not get the dharshan of Thirivikraman. So, he prayed for his great Ulagalandha dharshan. Since, he could not be given the Thirivikraman darshan, the Perumal gave his seva as Aadhiseshan (Ooragathaan) which can be seen next to Ulagalandha Perumal.
• Thayar is amudavalli (amritha valli)
• Three other DDs within the temple prakaram.

DD No. 3: Neeragam – Perumal is in standing posture

Moolavar: Neeraganathan

Thayar: nilamangai valli

DD No. 4: Karagam – Perumal is sitting on the 5 headed adishesha

Moolavar: karunakara perumal

Thayar: Padmamani nachyar

DD No. 5: Kaarvannam – Perumal is standing with shridevi and boodevi

thayars.

Moolar: Kaarvannam

Thayar: kamala valli

DD No 6: Yathothakari

Moolavar – Yathothakari

Thayar – Komala valli Nachiyar

DD No 7: Ashtabujanga perumal temple

Details:

Moolavar : Adi keshava perumal

Thayar: Alamel manga

DD No 8: Azhagiya Singar Perumal

Details

Moolavar: Azhagiya Singar

Thayar: Amrutha valli, velukkai valli

DD No. 9: Deepak prakashar Perumal

Details:

Moolavar: Deppaka prakashar

Thayar: maragathavalli

DD No 10: Vijaya raghavan Peumal

Details:

Moolavar: Vijaya ragavan

Thayar: maragatha valli

DD No 11: Pandava thooda Perumal

Moolavar: pandava thoodar

Thayar: rukmini and satyabhama

DD No 12: Pravala Vannan Perumal

Moolavar: Pravala vannan

Thayar: pavala valli

DD No 13: Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal

DD No 14: Inside kamakshi temple

The visit to all the DDs will take atleast 3 days. Each temple has its own sthala puranam and significance inscribed.