A part of Vishnu Kanchi and one of the 108 divyadehams, is the Vaikunta Perumal temple, where the divinity of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallava king Nandivarman II (in the 6th century. Later the Cholas and Vijayanagar kings contributed in expanding the temple structure. Sri Ramanujar and Sri Manavalamamunigal are said to have been to the shrine. The temple is praised in the Divya Prabandha, the Tamil compilation of verses of the Azvar saints.

Location TamilNadu, Kanchipuram, Chennai

Legend

The ruler of this region of Vidharba desa, King Virocha due to a curse in his previous birth, did not have a heir. A staunch Shiva devotee, he prayed to Lord Kailasanatha in Kancheepuram. Lord Shiva blessed him that the Dwarapalakas of Lord Vishnu would be born as the king's sons. Though born to the royal family, the young princes continued to be devotees of Lord Vishnu and conducted a yagna for the welfare and prosperity of the people.  Pleased with them, Lord Vishnu granted them darshan as Vaikundanatha Perumal.

This temple is part of Kanchipuram Divya Desam Yatra.

Architecture

The Vaikunta Perumal temple, built in Dravidian architectural style, has three vertically aligned sanctorums, one on top of the other. The ground floor sanctum contains the primary deity of Vishnu in a seated posture, the one on the first floor has the sleeping idol of Lord Vishnu and on the topmost floor, is the standing form of this deity. The walls of the temples are adorned with historical and religious sculptures some describing the rule of the Pallava dynasty. The lion pillars around the temple epitomises the expertise of that era.

Picture Courtesy:

"Parameswara Vinnagaram" by Sridhar.selvaraj - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parameswara_Vinnagaram.JPG#/media/File:Parameswara_Vinnagaram.JPG

Culture

Kanchipuram, in the state of Tamil Nadu is one of the important religious places in India and a holy pilgrimage site for both Saivites and Vaishnavites. Historically, it was a centre for education and popular for the architectural beauty of its temples. Silk saree weaving is a major industry and Kanchipuram pattu(silk) is famous all around the country.

Darsan Info

Temple timings : 7.30 AM to 12.00 AM and 4.30 PM to 7.30 PM    

Thiru Parameswara Vinnagaram temple witnesses large crowds during Vaikunta Ekadasi celebrations.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative attire.

Famous Festival

May - Vaikasi Brahmotsavam (May/June)

December - Vaikunda Ekadashi

Temple Rituals

The temple rituals at Vaikunda Perumal Temple are performed six times a day with each ritual having three step: alangaram, neivethanam and deepa aradanai.

Special Rituals

It is believed that worshipping Lord on Vaikunta Ekadasi will increase the longevity of the devotee.

Additional Info

 

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