Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram -
Thirukkaarvaanam
This
Divyadesam is also found inside the Praharam of Ulagalandha Perumal Temple,
Kanchipuram. Thiruoorakam enshrining Ulagalanda Perumal Temple in Periya Kancheepuram
is also home to three other Dhivya Desam shrines Thiruneerakam, Thirukkarakam
& Kaarvaanam.
Legends
The
Perumal in this sthalam is Thirukkaarvaanar. Kaar means clouds and Neer means
rain (or) water. The God explains to the world that the water in this world is
the resemblance of him and the Kaar (the black clouds which gives rain) to the
world is also one of his reflection and clouds which is found in the sky is
also the reflection.
Without
water, the World cannot survive. So, he comes to the World as rain and makes
all the things to survive. So, Sriman Narayanan explains that he himself is the
black cloud which gives the rain for the humans and all things to survive. So,
this perumal is called as "Thirukkaar Vaanakkalvar".
History
Though
this temple was built by Pallava king, the scriptures were found only from
Chola period. The scriptures indicate the tax free gifts to the temple by
Rajakesarivarman and also some re-possessing the land for the temple. There is
also a scripture which indicates that there were around 48,000 attended a
meeting by Chola king & indicates the population of Kanchipuram during 13th
century.
The
Temple
The Perumal found here is
Sri Kalvar and he is found in standing position facing West direction. Lord
gave Prathyaksham for Gowri Parvathi Devi. The Thaayar found here is
Komalavalli (Thamaraiyaal) Naachiyar. Thirukkaarvaanam, mentioned in a Paasuram
of Thirumangaiazhwar is represented by the image of Kalvar, in a standing
posture facing west in a shrine in the prakaram of the Ulagalanda Perumal
Temple. Kalvan also refers to Perumal in Kalvanur.
In a
verse referring to Kachi Ooragam and Thiruvekka (both in Kancheepuram), Thirumangaiazhwar
refers to Neerakam, Nilathingal Thundam, Kaarakam, Kaarvaanam and Kalva (nur). Nilathingal
Thundam is a shrine in the Kanchi Ekambareswarar Temple, Neerakam, Kaarakam and
Kaarvaanam are shrines in the Ulagalanda Perumal Temple (Ooragam). Kalvanoor is
the name of the shrine to Perumal (Aadi Varaha Perumal) in the Kanchi Kamakshi
Amman Temple.
Mangalasasanam:
·
Thirumangai
Alwar - 1 Paasuram
Pushkarani:
·
Gowri
Thadagam (Tharathara Theertham)
Vimanam:
·
Pushpaka
Vimanam
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 ஊர்கதை .....நீர் வேக்கவுல்லாய்
காரகத்தை கார்வன்னதுல்லை கலவா
பேரகத்தாய் ......பெருமாநுண் திருவடியே பெநிநேனே
கச்சி ஊர்கதை .....நீர் வேக்கவுல்லாய்
காரகத்தை கார்வன்னதுல்லை கலவா
பேரகத்தாய் ......பெருமாநுண் திருவடியே பெநிநேனே
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.