Parameswara Vinnagaram

Vaikunta Perumal
Beautiful sand stone sculptures around the prakaram leaves one amazed at the artistic capabilities of the Pallavas

Located one km East of the Kanchipuram East Railway Station, this Divya Desam has been designated as a heritage temple and is under the archaeological survey of India.

(In 2018, funds have been allocated to install LED bulbs around the temple)

The story goes that a Gandharva beauty tried to distract Baradwaja Rishi in his penance. A child was born to them and a perturbed Rishi prayed to Brahmma regarding the child’s up bringing. Vishnu and Brahmma came to his rescue and promised to take care of the child. During the same period, a Pallava king, who was childless, was undertaking penance. They presented this child to the Pallava King and named him Parameswaran.

Another story goes that Lord’s security guards, Dwara Paalakaas, are said to have born to a Vidarbha king, who was childless. Later the two are said to have performed the Ashwamedha Yaagam, upon which Lord Vishnu is believed to have appeared before them.

Lord and his 3 postures

Lord is said to have appeared before the devoted Parameswara Varma in his three postures. Lord Vishnu is believed to have stood up and taught Parameswara 18 different arts of life. In his grand sitting posture, he is said to have passed on advice to Parameswara, as an acharya would to his disciple. And is then believed to have got into a sleeping posture so as to be served by Parameswara.

To mark these event, Parameswara Pallava is said to have built this 3 tier structure. The 2nd tier  is open only on Ekadesi days.The steps to the 3rd Tier are damaged and hence cannot be visited anymore.

So attached was the Pallava king to this temple, that he used to invoke the blessing of this Lord before he embarked on any battle, especially before he went to face their arch rivals, The Pandyas. This has been brought out beautifully by Thirumangai Azhvaar in several of his Paasurams in praise of the Lord here.

“கார்மன்னு நீள் விசும்பும் 
கடலும் சுடரும் நிலனும் மழையும் 

தன உந்தி தார் மண்ணு அழகு ஆய் கச்சி 

தாமரைகண்ணன் இடம் தடம் 

மா மதில் சூழ்ந்து  

தேர்மன்னு தன்னவனை முனையில் செருவில்
திரள் வாட்டிய திண்சிலை யோன் பார் மண்ணு 
பல்லவர்கோன் பணிந்தவரும் 

பரமேஸ்வர வின்னகரமதுவே ” –Thirumangai Azhvaar 

Krishnadeva Raya, who contributed to the development of several Divya Desams, also helped in the renovation of this temple.

Artistic Pallava style Sculptures

The temple has beautiful old sculptures around the prakaram depicting the different stages of Parameswara’s life right from his childhood. The temple is a terrific example of Pallava Architecture and is believed to have been built by them on a single piece of rock.

Secret Underground Tunnel

Legend has it that there was a secret underground tunnel laid out from this temple all the way to Mahabalipuram , on the eastern sea shore, as well as to Parameswara Pallava’s court. When Britishers got a scent of this, they came here to trace this. Coming together as one, the devotees of this temple are said to have built out steps across the tunnel to the temple sannidhi, thus turning away the Britishers.

Every Ekadasi, devotees can have darshan of Ranganatha in the Tier 1 of the temple between 8am and 12noon.

Devarajan Bhattar, whose father had performed service for three decades at a salary of Rs. 35 per month, is helping revive the Utsavams at the temple.

He too joined the temple just under a couple of decades ago at a three digit salary and has served the Lord selflessly ever since. He is hoping to organise a 3 day Pavitrotsavam  in Karthigai this year.

Brahmotsavam takes place in Vaikasi with Theerthavari on Punar Poosam day.
Garuda Sevai takes place in the morning on the 3rd day

On the Bhogi day, Lord goes out on a procession with Andal.

Festival

About 3 lakh people visit this temple on the Vaikunta Ekadesi day

Quick Facts

Moolavar   : Paramapatha Nathan sitting posture West facing

                    Lord Ranganatha can be seen in Tier 2

                    Paramapathanathan is said to reside in Tier 3

Thaayar     : Vaikunta Valli
Azhvaar     : Thirumangai Azhvaar- 10 Paasurams (Periya Thirumozhi)

The temple is open between 7am-12noon and 4pm-8pm. Contact:Devarajan Bhattar @  99444 64383