Ashtabujakaram (Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple), Kanchipuram

Ashtabujakaram (Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple), Kanchipuram

Ashtabujakaram Temple is located in Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Ashta Bhuja Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Alamelumangai.

The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. The temple has three inscriptions on its walls, two dating from the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE) and one to that of Rajendra Chola (1018-54 CE). A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a four-tiered Rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, in the temple.

Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. This is one of the celebrated 108 Divya Desam of Perumal and it is ranked 44. Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple was built by Thondaiman Chakravarthy who is popularly named as Vayiramoghan. Paal Payasam (Milk Kheer), Aval and Appam are delicious prasadams at this temple.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/06/ashtabujakaram-sri-aadhikesava-perumal.html

Greatness of Temple

This is the 44th Divya Desam with the Mangalasasanam of Saints Peyazhwar and Tirumangai Azhwar.  This is the only Vishnu temple with a Mangalasasanam dedicated exclusively for Mother Alarmel Mangai. According to scriptures, Lord Vishnu was in this place as Adi Kesava Perumal even before his fame as Ashtabhuja Perumal after Azhwars’ Mangalasasanams.

Perumal is holding discus, sword, flower and an arrow in his right 4 hands, conch, bow, armour and club in the left four hands.  The entrance and Sorgavasal in Perumal temples are generally in different directions. Both are facing north in this temple, a special feature.

Perumal saved Mother Bhoomadevi from the demons at this place. Hence, those buying Bhoomi – land either to build a house or for farming or facing difficulties in houses built already pray to Perumal to make their Bhoomi-sites a prosperous place.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/06/ashtabujakaram-sri-aadhikesava-perumal_8.html

Temple Opening Time

Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is open from 6.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

Pooja Timings

·        Viswaroopa Pooja – 06. 30 AM

·        Kaala Shanthi Pooja – 07.00 AM

·        Uchi Kaala Pooja – 09.00 AM

·        Sayaratchi Pooja – 05.30 PM

·        Raakkaala Pooja – 07.00 PM

·        Aravanai Pooja – 08.30 PM

Festivals

·        Margazhi Vaikunda Ekadasi in December-January

·        Sri Rama Navami in Panguni-March-April

·        Masi Pooram – February or March

·        Panguni Uthiram – March or April

·        Brahmotsavam – April or May

·        Gajendra Moksham – July or August

·        Purattasi Navarathri in September-October

On the last Friday of Panguni (March-April) or on the last Friday of Chithirai, Thirumanjanam is simultaneously performed for Lord Aadhikesava Perumal, Mother Yathiraja Valli, Sri Andal and Acharya Sri Ramanuja.

Singers

Saints Peyazhwar and Tirumangai Azhwar had sung the glory of Lord Perumal of this temple in their Mangalasasanam hymns. Vedantha Desikar, Manavala Maamuni also has done Mangalasasanam.

A separate Mangalasasanam is addressed to Mother by Azhwar only in this temple. Vedanta Desikar wrote the Stotra called “Ashtabhuja Ashtakam”. This Stotra is about Bhagavan in his form with eight Divyabhujas in the Divya kshetram called Attabuya Karam.

Mangalasasanam:

·        Thirumangai Alwar - 10 Paasurams

·        Pei Alwar - 1 Paasuram

Prayers

Those buying building sites and farm land and those facing problems in houses built already pray to Perumal for removal of any evil elements in the places. Devotees perform Thirumanjanam to Perumal and offer vastras.

Contact

Sri Aadhikesava Perumal (Ashta Bhuja Perumal) Temple,

Kancheepuram-631 501, Kancheepuram district.

Phone: +91-44-2722 5242

Connectivity

The temple is 2 km from Kancheepuram bus stand at Tirukachi Nambikal Street in Chinna Kancheepuram. 

By Road:

The city of Kanchipuram is well connected with the other part of the states and it is few kms from the Quadrilateral National Highway. There are frequent bus services from Chennai and it takes 2- 3 hours to reach. The Chennai Metropolitan and the state express transport operate the services.

By Train:

Kanchipuram is connected with the southern part of the rail network and few trains are running through Kanchipuram. Suburban trains are running between Kanchipuram and Chennai beach on specified intervals.

By Air:

Chennai, the nearest international airport is situated around 75 km away from Kanchipuram. Both public and private transport facilities are available at the airport.