108 Divya Desams - Thiruvekka Sri Yathothkari Perumal - Kanchi !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 




 
Thiruvekka Sri Yathothkari Perumal temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu situated in Kanchipuram.  This temple of Lord Vishnu located near Rangaswamy Tank, Chinna Kanchi and it is just 1 km away from Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple.  There are many remarkable myths associated with this temple.
 
The presiding diety - Sri Yathothkari Perumal/Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal / Vega Sethu in recling posture with his consort Goddess Komalavalli Nachiyar
 
Mangalasasanam – Sri Manavala Munikagal, Thirumazhisai Alwar, Kani Kannan, Boothathalwar, Thirumangai Alwar, Poigai Alwar, Nammalwar
 
Sannidhis – Pillai Lokachariyar, Sri Andal
 
Significance - This is the Birth place of Poigai Alwar, who was one of the famous 12 Vaishnavaite poets lived during the 7th century.   He was born in a Lotus in the Temple tank situated here.  He was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu’s Panchajanya (One of the Panchayudha of Lord).
 
Vimanam – Vedasara Vimanam
 
Pushkarani – Poigai Pushkarani
 
Worshipped by – Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswathy
 
Prathyaksham to – Lord Brahma, Poigai Alwar, Boothathalwar, Thirumazhisai alwar, Kanikannan
 
The legend has that Thirumazhisai Alwar, one of the fervent devotees and a famous Vaishnavaite saint lived in Kanchi and served Lord Yathothkari Perumal in this temple.  There was a Dasi woman used to clean the temple premises in this way she selflessly served the Lord.  Seeing her sincereity and self-less devotion to Lord, Thirumazhisai Alwar blessed her to become a beautiful maiden.  Later, the King of this city fallen at the enchanting beautify of this lady and married her.  The King learned the truth of her captivating attractiveness and decided to meet Thirumazhisai Alwar.
 
Kanikannan was a close associate and an an ardent follower of Thirumazhisai Alwar.  One day, the King ordered Kanikannan to appear before the court.  Kanikannan was produced before the assembly, King demanded Kanikannan to bring Thirumazhisai Alwar to the palace so that he could listen to Alwar singing and praising the glories of him.  Kanikannan authentically revealed the fact that Thirumazhisai Alwar sung priaising the glories of no one other than Lord Vishnu and it would be an impossible task for him to sing praising the King.  Kanikannan who was being a close associate of Thirumazhisai Alwar, the King had no doubt on the intelligence of Kanikannan.  He persuaded Kanikannan with all the precious jewels, diamonds, etc... to praise his virtues.  Kanikannan flatly refused to do so.  The King was totally annoyed at the arrogant act of Kanikannan and ordered him to stay out of the Kanchi with an immediate effect.
 
Kanikannan explained Thirumazhisai Alwar about the whole incident happened at the assembly of the King and his final verdict to leave the city.  He prepared to leave Kanchi to follow the verdict, soon Thirumazhisai Alwar also joined with him.  Before leaving this temple, Thirumazhisai Alwar fervently sung beautiful verses requesting Lord to be with them on their way out of Kanchi.  Lord Yathothkari Perumal also decided to leave Kanchi at the true passion of Thirumazhisai Alwar.  Consequently, Lord Yathothkari Perumal followed Thirumazhisai Alwar and Kanikannan on their way out of Kanchi. 
 
Shortly, the King realized the absence of Lord in this temple and deeply regretted at his ignorance.  He requested Kanikannan to pardon him and received Kanikannan and his Acharya with due respect and honor to Kanchi.  Thus Sri Yathothkari Perumal was re-positioned in the sanctum sanctorum with his divine presence.
 
Another legend has that Lord Brahma conducted a Yagna in this place. Unfortunately, River Vegavathi created a huge obstruction with her current.  Lord Brahma prayed to Lord Vishnu.  The most compassionate Lord took reclining posture on his celestial vehicle Adishesha and positioned across the River Vegagvathi in order to bring a halt to her mighty force.
 
 
Contact details :
 Sri N.S.Balaji Swami S/o Sri Nallappa Narayanan Swami  
Archakar, Sri Ramanujachariar Swami, 9974761694  Temple : 044-37209752. Hereditary Trustee,  Misri Apartments, Little Kanchipuram 
54, Sannithi St., Kanchipuram 631501.

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

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