Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram - Thirukkaarvaanam

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 

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.