Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Thiru
Kaaragam
Thiru Kaaragam
is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples situated in Kanchipuram. Sri Karunakara
Perumal temple is within the Thiru Ooragam (Ulagalantha Perumal) temple. Ulagalantha
Perumal Temple has the significance that this temple enshrines three Divya
Desams – Thiruneerakam, Thirukkarakam, and Thirukkaarvaanam in its
precinct. The temple is revered by the verses of Tirumangai Alvar.
Legends
As per
Hindu legend, sage Garga performed his penance at Sri Karunakara Perumal temple
and obtained knowledge. The place thus derived its name Garagaham, which later
became Kaaragam.
Lord is explaining
to the world that he is the Megham (Clouds) which brings rain to this world to
enrich the wealth of the world. Without expecting any return, the clouds give
the rain to the world. Since, Karunakara Perumal resembles as Kaar, the clouds,
he doesn’t expects anything from his bhaktas but he only the pure Bhakthi from
them. Since, the Perumal is not expecting from anything but only, the pure Bhakthi
and show Karunai (Courtesy), the Perumal is called "Karunakara
Perumal".
The
Temple
The
Moolavar of this Sthalam is Karunakara Perumal. He is found in standing
position facing his thirumugham towards South direction (direction that belongs
to the cool breeze). He is found along with Padmamani Naachiyaar also known as
Ramamani Thayar and explaining to the world that he is the Megham (Clouds)
which brings rain to this world to enrich the wealth of the world. Since he
shows Karunai (Courtesy), the Perumal is called “Karunakara Perumal”. The
temple is revered by the verses of Tirumangai Alvar.
In the
Third Prakaram of Thiru Ooragam Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Devotees can
worship Thiru Kaaragam Divyadesam where Vishnu is blessing as Karunakara
Perumal in his Standing Posture facing South under Ramya Vimanam with
his Left Leg folded and the Right Leg down. Thayar is being worshipped as Padmamani
Thayar. Once the Sage named Kaaraha Maharishi underwent a penance and
obtained the great powers from Vishnu here. Hence the temple is being
worshipped so that to honour him and to mark the event, as Kaarvaanam. There is
no clear information about the Utsavar and the actual temple location.
Moolavar & Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this
Sthalam is Karunakara Perumal. He is found in standing position facing his
thirumugham towards South direction. He gave prathyaksham for Kaasha
Maharishi.
Thaayar:
·
Padmamani
Naachiyaar / Ramamani Nachiyaar
Mangalasasanam:
·
Thirumangai
Alwar - 1 Paasuram
Pushkarani:
·
Akraaya
Theertham.
Vimanam:
·
Vaamana
Vimanam / Ramya Vimanam
Since
Vimanam is so pleasant (Ramyam) the Thaayar is known as "Ramamani
Thayaar".
Temple Opening
Time
The
temple is open from 6:00 AM till 12 noon and from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm
Literary
Mention
Neeragam,
Kaarakam and Kaarvaanam Temples are currently found within the Ooragam Divya
Desam temple complex, North of Kanchipuram bus stand. All these three temples
have been praised by Thirumangai Azhvaar in a single Paasuram along with Thiru
Ooragam. There are no specific stories relating to any of these temples.
However, a close reading of the Paasuram throws open a few questions.
Thirumangai
Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verse:
நீரகத்தை........நிலாத்திங்கள் துண்டத்தாய் நிறைந்த
கச்சி ஊரகத்தை .....நீர் வேக்கவுல்லாய்
காரகத்தை கார்வன்னதுல்லை கலவா
பேரகத்தாய் ......பெருமாநுண் திருவடியே பற்றினேனே
கச்சி ஊரகத்தை .....நீர் வேக்கவுல்லாய்
காரகத்தை கார்வன்னதுல்லை கலவா
பேரகத்தாய் ......பெருமாநுண் திருவடியே பற்றினேனே
Thirumangai
specifically refers to Ooragam Divya Desam as ‘Kachi Ooragathaai’ confirming
the presence of Ulagalantha Perumal in Kanchipuram. However, when referring to
Neeragam, Kaaragam and Kaarvaanam in the same Paasuram, Thirumangai does not
bring the Kanchi connect, throwing open the question as to whether these three
Divya Desams were originally outside Kanchi and were then brought into this
temple complex much later, after Thirumangai’s time.
Thirumangai
Azhvaar’s devotion and attachment to the Lord stands out. This can be seen in
the way he connects Lords from different Divya Desams in a single Paasuram.
Even as he is praising one Lord, belonging to one Divya Desam, his thoughts
seem to be immediately moving to and connecting with Lords belonging to other
Divya Desams, which he had already seen.
This
particular Paasuram is a perfect example of the beautiful way Thirumangai
connects different Divya Desams. Starting with Neeragam, he moves to Nilaa
Thingal and then to Ooragam and then brings in Kaaragam and Kaarvaanam as
well.
Connectivity
Ulagalantha
perumal temple is located in Kanchipuram. The temple is very close to Sri
Kamatchiamman temple and very near to Kanchipuram bus stand. The temple is on
the way to Sri Kamakshi Amman temple from Kancheepuram bus stand.
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.