Balakrishna Temple Hampi History

Balakrishna Temple Hampi is situated on the way to Virupaksha temple from Kamalapur, facing East, dedicated  to Vaishnava in the form of Balakrishna.This temple was built by the King Sri Krishna deva raya during 1514 A.D to commemorating the conquest of Udayagiri in Orissa.

The balakrishna temple is typically in Vijayanagara style and plan, and is one of the earliest temples of Tuluvas, built in 1514 AD, to install the image of Balakrishna, on 16th, February 1515 A.D. When Krishna deva raya had seized Udayagiri, during the course of his Orissan campaigns. The inscription is kept in the temple records the commemorating of the conquest of Udayagiri Krishnadevaraya and the installation of Balakrishna Image, brought from Udayagiri.

Thiruchendur Murugan Temple History

As per the Legend, Lord Murugan, Commander-In-Chief of Devas encamped here at Thiruchendur. Murugan installed Siva Linga to offers prayers, for which Mayan, the architect for Devas constructed the temple. From here, He sent the message to the demon Surapadma at Veera Mahendrapuri thru Veerabahu Devar for the battle.

Lord Singaravelavar (Murugan) recieved the divine Lance (Vel) weapon from His mother at Sikkal to beat Surapadma.

The sand on the shore  at Thiruchendur completely turned Red with the bloodshed due to battle. Thus this place referred as 'Senthur' which mean 'Red region'. After winning the battle against Surapadma, Lord offered prayers to Lord Siva at the Mayan built temple. 

The victory against the demon is still celebrated here as Skanda Shasti. 

Aadhi Sankaracharya visited this temple praised Lord Murugan with a great stotra. Murugan offered Darshan and blessed Aadhi Sankaracharya here.  

As a mark of respect to the war zone where Lord Camped himself, Honorary prefix 'Thiru' was added and popular by Thiruchendur.

Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple

Vaitheeswaran Koil near Chidambaram, is dedicated to Angaraka (Mars). Main deity, Lord Siva is called by Vaitheeswaran, who possess healing properties. Praying Vaitheeswaran 'God of medicine' can cure skin diseases.  Mars plays role in establishing strong martial relationships. 

Angarakan (Chevvai), son of Lord Siva, who born from the drop of Lord Siva's.  Once, When Lord Siva was in deep meditation, a drop of sweat from the Siva's forehead fell on the Earth. A male child was born out of this drop. It is said that Lord Siva cured Angarakan skin disease, following which he joined Navagraha Club.

One should take holy dip at Temple Tank 'Siddsmrita' before entering temple, which is believed to possess healing properties for skin diseases. 

The ashes here, referred as Thiruchandu Urundal, which acts as a medicine for skin diseases. This ash will be collected from Homa Kundam. Another medicine is made out Chandan (Sandalwood powder and is mixed with saffron. 

Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

Legend dates back to the times of Churning Milky Ocean, Where Vasuki Serpent was used as the churning rope, Mount meru as the churning stick, Devas and Asuras who held Vasuki on either side. When the Mount meru started sinking in to the ocean, Lord Vishnu took the form of Tortoise (Kurma Avathar) and bore the weight of 'Mount Meru' on his back to balance the churning stick. During this exercise, Vasuki serpent was exhausted and split venom which fell into the ocean and darkened Lord Vishnu's skin color.

On Brahma's suggestion, Lord Vishnu did penance here for Lord Siva, who blessed Vishnu by showering crescent moon rays. Hence Lord Vishnu praised here by Nila- Thunda Perumal, which means Lord with Crescent moon Color.

Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped here in a formless manner, it is believed that the Goddess was merged with the Lord Vishnu. 

Temple  Timings:

Morning Hours: 6 am - 11 am

Evening Hours: 5 pm - 8 pm

Vilakoli Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

As per the Legend, it is said that Lord Brahma the creator, wish to perform Yajna for Lord Siva here, as he had no temple on this Earth. Brahma ignored His Consort Goddess Saraswathi (God of Education) while performing Yajna. Angered with Brahma's doing, Sarsawathi cursed Brahma that there will no light to perform this Yajna. 

Worried Brahma prayed for Lord Vishnu to provide Light. Vishnu appeared to Brahma in the form divine light and helped him for the Yajna. As Lord appeared here in the form divine light, in Tamil light is called by Vilakku Oli (Light), Vilakoli perumal and in Sanskrit it is called by Deepa Prakasar. 

1. Temple is 3.4 km from Kanchipuram Railway station
2. Temple is 1.8. km from Kanchipuram Bus station

Vijayaraghava Perumal Thiruputkuzhi Kanchipuram

Legend goes this way, Once Jatayu did penance for Lord Vishnu Darshan, for several years. Impressed with Lord appeared in a sitting posture and blessed Jayatu here.

Main deity Vijayaraghava Perumal will be seen here in a sitting posture holding Jatayu on his thigh and facing East, to mark the importance of Jatayu's devotion. Processional deity atop Jatayu Vahanam (Vehicle) will be taken out in a procession on Jatayu Vahanam during the annual festival. There is separate shrine for Margathavalli Thayar within the temple complex. 

Temple Timings

Morning Hours: 7 am - 12 pm

Evening Hours: 4 pm - 7 pm

Temple address

Vijayaraghava Perumal Koila, Thiruputkuzhi, Via Balu Chettu Chattiram, Kanchipuram District - 631551

Temple Annual Festivals

10 days brahmotsavam will be celebrated during Masa Sri Rama Navami

Teppotsavam (float festival) will be celebrated during Thai masam

Vaikunta Perumal Temple Kanchipuram History

Vaikunta Perumal Temple Kanchipuram is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is one of the 108 Divya Desams (Holy abodes of Lord Vishnu). Presiding deities in the shrine are Vaikuntanathan (Lord Vishnu) and Vaikundavalli (Goddess Lakshmi) are in Reclining and sitting postures.

This temple was built by the King Nandivarman II from Pallava Dynasty during 720 Century CE - 796 Century CE. Later this temple was renovated by Medieval Cholas , Pandyas and Vijayanagara Kings.  Temple was constructed in Dravidian style of architecture. This temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, which was composed during 7th Century CE - 9th century CE, by the Vaishnavite Scholar Thirumangai Azhwar in his 10 hyms.

How to reach Vaikunta Perumal Temple Kanchipuram?

1. Temple is 111 km from Tirupati. Direct bus is available to Kanchi from Tirupati Central bus station.
2. Temple is at a walk able distance from Kanchipuram Bus station
3. Temple is 2.4 km from Kanchipuram Railway station.

Pandava Dhootha Perumal Kanchipuram

Pandava Dhootha Perumal temple Legends

Legends dates back to Mahabharatha period, when Sri Krishna as an ambassador visited Kaurava Court to establish peace between Kauravas and Pandavas. Sri Krishna displayed His Viswaroopam (the magnificent form) when Kauravas tried to humiliate and kill Him. Even the blind King Dhrutharastra was able to see the divine form.

After hearing this story from the Sage Vaisampayana, King Janamejaya (The great Grandson of Arjuna) did penance here for Sri Krishna. Lord appeared in his divine form (Viswaroopam) and blessed Janamejaya at this temple. Sri Krishna at this temple called by Padagam. 

Pandava Dhootha Perumal temple Timings

Morning Hours: 7:00 am  - 11:00 am

Evening Hours: 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Best Days to worship Lord here: Wednesday, Saturday, Rohini Star days and On Ashtami days

Kumarakottam Murugan Temple Kanchipuram

As per the mythology, Lord Muruga imprisoned Lord Brahma for His ignorance towards Pranava Mantra Om and assumed the role of the Brahma (Creator). Lord Muruga manifested here as a Brahma Sasta (means creator), holding Rudraksha beads and Kamandalam.
Lord Muruga, later repented for rejecting his father Lord Siva's command in releasing Brahma and did penance here by installing Siva Linga. This Siva Linga became famous later as Devasenapatisar, which means Lord worshiped by the Deva's commander-in-chief.
This is the place, where the great scholar and poet, Kachiappa Shivacharya composed Kandapuranam in praising Lord Muruga.
  

How to reach Kumarakottam Subramanya Temple ?

1. Temple is 108 km from Tirupati. Direct bus to Kanchi is available from Tirupati Central bus station.
2. Temple is 1 km from Kanchipuram bus station and 1 km from Railway station.

Other Temples near Kumarakotta Temples?

1. Ekambareswarar Temple is at a walk able distance
2. Kailasanathar temple is 1.9 km away
3. Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple is 2.8 km away
4. Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is 4.7 km away
5. Ulagalantha Temple is at a walk able distance.
6. Karchapeswarar temple is at a walk able distance.

Karchapeswarar Temple Kanchipuram History

Legend dates back to the churning of Vaikuntam's (Lord Vishnu's abode) Milky ocean. Milky ocean was churned by making Vasuki Serpent as Churning rope and Mount meru as Churning stick by Devas and Asuras. As churing in progress Mount Meru started sinking into the ocean, Lord Vishnu assumed Kurma Avathar (Kachapa) and bore the weight of Meru. It is said that, Lord Vishnu in Kurma (Tortoise) avathar installed Lord Siva here and prayed during this process. 

This temple was built by Pallava kings in 7th century CE, later renovated by Vijayanagara Kings.

How to reach Karchapeswarar Temple Kanchipuram?

1. Temple is 4 km from Kanchipuram bus station and 5 km from Kanchipuram Railway station

Temples near to Karchapeswarar Temple ?

1. Ekambareswarar Temple is 5 km away
2. Kailasanthar temple is 5.2 km away
3. Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple is 4.3 km away
4. Sri Varadaraja perumal temple is 4 km away

Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram History

As said in Bhagavatha purana, Lord Vishnu's, Vamana Avathar is meant to restore Indra's power over the heaven.

Bali who was the grandson of Prahalada, was an ardent devotee for  Lord Vishnu. Bali dethroned Indra and took the control over the Heaven. Bali emerged as a supreme power in the three worlds, Heaven, Earth and Pathala (beneath the earth), he was hailed by Mahabali. Lord Vishnu who wants to restore the Dharma and protect Earth, which was occupied by Asuras (demons), took the birth as Vamana as he don't want to kill his ardent devotee.

On the day of His Upanaya, Vamana approached Mahabali for a grant. Mahabali was busy with Yajna rituals without paying much attention, granted the wish of having three paces of land that he could traversed through.

Vamana who as Vishnu by himself, took one step to posses the Heaven, second step to posses the Earth and third step and there was no space for the third step. Mahabali bow down and prayed Lord to keep the third step on his head. Vamana pushed Mahabali to Pathala Loka (Beneath the earth) and asked him to rule the Pathala, thus saved Earth and Heaven.

This temple was built by Nandivarma III during 846 - 869 A.D. Later, this temple was renovated by Pallavas and Cholas. The Main deity inside the temple depicts this play. Where Lord shows His one finger of the right hand, which says that He has measured the first step. His left hand shows tow finger, which denotes the second step. For the third step, Lord raised his feet above, denotes the final step on Mahabali's head. Lord here called by Thrivikram. 

Other shrines within in the temple complex, Karakatha Perumal, Saravana Perumal and Arun Valli Thayar.

Varadaraja Perumal Kanchipuram Temple Timings

Varadaraja Perumal Temple Timings

Morning Hours: 6 am - 12 pm

Evening Hours: 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Entry free for 100 pillared Mantap: Rs.5

For Photography: Rs.50

For Video shooting: Rs.100

Golden Lizard Entry Fee: Rs.2

Silver Lizard Entry fee: Rs.2 

Kanchi Bangaru Balli Story

Two disciples of Sage Gautham used to fill Pooja vessel regularly with water. One day, a lizard fallen into the Pooja vessel which was filled with water. Unknowingly, disciples placed this vessel in front of the sage. Gautham Rishi noticed the lizard in the vessel while offering prayers to the Lord. Sage angered for their disciples ignorance and cursed them to become lizards. 

As advised by the Sage, two disciples reached Kanchipuram and stayed here as lizards for a long. Disciples got relieved from their curse, when Indra who was cursed by Goddess Saraswathi, came here as a elephant and prayed for Lord Varadaraja. Disciples attained salvation but their mortal coil remained here. It is believed that who prays Lord Varadaja and touches these two lizards on their way out will be relieved from all chronic diseases. 

How to reach Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram ?

1. Temple is 3.6 km from Kanchipuram bus station
2. Temple is 4.8 km from Kanchipuram Railway station

Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram History

As per the Legends, Lord Brahma performed Yajna here to purify himself with His Consorts Gayatri and Savitri by ignoring Goddess Saraswathi. Enraged by this, Goddess Saraswathi took the form as a fast-flowing river Vegavathi and tried to sweep the whole region with high tides. On request of Lord Brahma, Lord Maha Vishnu laid himself in reclining position to check the floods. When Lord Brahma's Yajna was conculded, Lord Vishnu emerged dazzling with the sparkling of Thousand suns from the Yajna fire.  

Iravath (God Indra's Vehicle) lifted Lord Varadaraja as a mount, Athi mount. There are 24 steps to Atthigiri Temple.

This temple was built by chola kings in 1053 A.D and it was expanded by Chola King Kulutthunga Chola I and Vikra Cholas during 1075 - 1135 AD. Later, temple was renovated by Vijayanagar Kings in 12th century A.D.  This temple has four Prakarams with two huge Gopuras. Main entrance Raja Gopuram ( Temple Tower) is of 96 ft Tall. 

How to reach Varadaraja Perumal Temple

1. Temple is 3.6 km from Kanchipuram bus station
2. Temple is 4.8 km from Kanchipuram Railway station

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple

This is the most important temple in Kanchipuram. Main deity Kanchi Kamakshi Amman will be in Padmasana posture ( a yogic sitting posture) holding Pasa, Angusa, Pushpaba and Sugarcane in her hands. Aadi sankaracharya has stationed before the goddess a Sri Chakra. Sri Chakra which is said to be containing the efficiency of power of Kamakshi Devi. 

Kanchi Kamakshi Tmple is one of the 51 Shakti Peetas across the country. 'Ka' means Sarswathi Devi (God of Education), 'Ma' means Lakshmi Devi (God of Wealth), Akshi means eyes. The name as a whole means , Goddess who possess Sarswathi and Lakshmi as her two eyes. Godd

Kanchi Kamakshi Legends

Kamakshi Devi did penance for Lord Siva by creating a Siva Idol from the Earth. At that moment, Lord Siva to test Kamakshi Devi's penance, he incarnated himself as a Kamba River and raised high in tides to destroy the Idol. Kamakshi devi safe guarded Siva Linga by closing the Idol with her two hands. Goddess performed strict penance by sitting in a needle tip surrounded by 5 fires ( Panchakagni). Impressed by the dedication, Lord Siva appeared before her and married Goddess Kamakshi . 

Once Lord Maha Vishnu cursed Goddess Lakshmi to take no form. It is said that, Goddess Lakshmi did penance here for Vishnu and got relieved from the  curse. 

There is a belief those who offer Kamakshi devi Kumkum to Aarupam Lakshmi will be blessed with good wealth.