Ulagalantha Perumal Temple,
Kanchipuram – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards west with three tiered Rajagopuram. The temple covers an area of about 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2). This temple complex actually, houses four Divya Desams in its different precincts, namely Thiru Kaarvaanam, Thiru Kaaragam, Thiru Neeragam, and Thiru Ooragam, that last of which is present with in the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple. It is said that barring Thiru Ooragam, other temples were elsewhere earlier and were set together under one roof at a later period. Balipeedam, Dwajastambam and Garudalwar can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram facing the sanctum.
Sanctum:
The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. The Sanctum is located six feet lower than the ground level. Devotees need to step down 8 steps to reach the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Thiruvikrama / Ulagalantha Perumal / Peragathan. He is in standing posture facing towards west.
The image of Ulagalantha Perumal is over 35 ft (11 m) in height and 24 feet wide depicted with his left leg at a right angle to the body and parallel to the ground. The right leg is seen placed on the head of Mahabali with two fingers on his left hand stretched out referring to the two steps he took to measure the two worlds and the stretched finger on his right hand indicating the question the posted to Mahabali as to where he could place his third step.
The roof of the sanctum, the vimana has an elevated roof to accommodate the huge image of the presiding deity. The Vimanam above the sanctum is called as Saara Srikara Vimanam. It has 7 kalasas on top of it. Utsava Idol is called as Loganathan. He is a chaturbuja (four armed) Vishnu along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi can be seen in front of the presiding deity. Ablutions will be done for the Utsava idol only.
Mother
Shrine:
Mother is called as Amuthavalli / Amirthavalli / Aranavalli. She is housed in an east facing shrine. Her shrine consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam.
Thiru
Kaarvaanam:
This Shrine is situated on the right side immediately after the Rajagopuram entrance. This Shrine is facing towards north. This Shrine consists of Sanctum., Antrala and Ardha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Kalvar / Thirukkaar Vaanar / Thirukkaar Vaanakkalvar and is facing north. He is housed in the sanctum in standing posture. His consort is called as Komalavalli / Thamaraiyaal. The Vimana over the sanctum is called as Pushkala Vimana. Theertham associated with this temple is Gauri Thadakam (Taratara Thadakam). This Shrine is considered as 53rd temple of 108 Divya Desams.
Thiru
Kaaragam:
The shrine is situated in the third precinct of the temple. This Shrine is facing towards south. Presiding Deity is called as Karunagara Perumal / Kaaragathan and is facing south. He is found seated on Adisesha flanked by his consort Padmamani Nachiyar / Ramamani Nachiyar in sanctum. The vimana over the sanctum is called as Vamana Vimana / Ramya Vimana. This Shrine is considered as 52nd temple of 108 Divya Desams.
Thiru Neeragam:
This Shrine is situated in the second prakaram of the temple behind sixteen pillared Mandapam. This shrine is facing towards east. The temple has no presiding deity as it was lost. The image of the festival deity, Jagadeeswarar / Neeragathan, facing east and having four arms in standing posture, is housed in the sanctum. The Vimana over the sanctum is called as Jagadeeswara Vimana. Mother is called as Nilamangai Valli Nachiyar. Theertham associated with this temple is called as Akrura Theertham. This Shrine is considered as 47th temple of 108 Divya Desams.
Thiru Ooragam:
This Shrine is facing towards
south, situated on the left side of antrala before the sanctum. It houses the
image of Adisesha. The Vimana over the sanctum is called as Sarasreekara Vimanam.
Theertham associated with this temple is called as Naga Theertham. The shrine is
frequented by childless couple praying for offspring. This Shrine is considered
as 50th temple of 108 Divya Desams.
Theerthams:
Theerthams associated with this temple are Naga Theertham and Sesha Theertham. The temple tank, Naga Tirtha / Naga Pushkarini, is located in front of the Rajagopuram, outside the main temple complex.
