Ashtabujakaram (Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple),
Kanchipuram – The Temple
The
temple is known as ‘Ashtabujakaram’ as Lord Aadhikesava Perumal is seen with 8
hands holding 8 weapons. This temple is in Vishnu Kanchi. The temple has a
small tank in front of it and has three gopurams. The three-tier Gopuram is beautifully engraved with
sculptors in amazing color combinations.
There is
a separate shrine for Alamelumangai. Other name of the mother is Padmasani. The
temple also has shrines dedicated to Bhuvaraha, Hanuman, Alwars, Andal, Chakra and Sarabeswara. The specialty of this temple
is that the sun rays falls directly into the sanctum of Lord Adi Kesava Perumal
for a whole week during the month of mid-September to mid-October and mid-March
to mid-April.
Sri
Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is glorified in the early canon, the Nalayira
Divya Prabandham and the hymns were sung by the Azhwars, the great saints.
The Pushkarani (temple tank) of Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is called
as Gajendra Pushkarani. The Vimanam (the tower above the sanctum
sanctorum) of Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is called as Ganganakkruthi, Sanganakkruthi
Vimanam.
In
Ashtabujakaram Temple, Lord Vishnu is seen with 8 hands. He holds Chakram,
Sword, a Flower and an Arrow on the 4 right hands and Sangu, Bow, Kedayam
(which is used to protect while fighting using a sword) and Gadha (Which can be
found along with Hanuman and Bhima).
All the eight things (or) Ayudham (weapon) found on the hands of the Perumal is
called as “Divya Ayudha Azhwargal”. This is the only Divya Desam in Kanchipuram
that has a Swarga Vaasal (Gateway to Heaven).
