Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram is a Vishnu temple also considered among 108 Divya Desams located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple, built in the Dravidian style, is mentioned in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, an early mediaeval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th to the 9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams devoted to Vishnu, known as Ulagalantha Perumal, and his spouse Lakshmi, known as Amuthavalli. The Pallavas are thought to have erected the temple, with following contributions from the mediaeval Cholas, Vijayanagara kings, and Madurai Nayaks.

The temple is located in Big Kanchipuram, adjacent to Kamakshi Amman Temple. The temple complex actually includes four Divya Desams in its various precincts, namely Tirukkaravanam, Tirukarakam, Tiruneerakam, and Tiruürakam, the last of which is present in the main temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Vamana, the Brahmin dwarf and one of Vishnu’s ten incarnations, is said to have come here to subdue the asura king Mahabali’s hubris.

Story/Legend of the Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

According to the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu descended in the Vamana avatar to restore Indra’s authority over Svarga, which had been usurped by Mahabali, a beneficent asura King. Prahlada’s grandson was Bali. King Mahabali was benevolent and practised great austerity, earning him worldwide acclaim. He considered himself to be the most powerful being in the world, thanks to the acclaim of his courtiers and others. Vamana went before the king disguised as a short Brahmin holding a wooden umbrella, requesting three paces of land. Despite the warnings of his mentor, Shukracharya, Mahabali agreed.

Vamana then exposed his true identity and grew to huge sizes in order to stroll across the three planets. He took the first step from heaven to earth and the second from earth to the netherworld. He basically held all of his dominions under Vamana’s command. King Mahabali, unable to keep his pledge, offered his head in exchange for the third. Vamana then stepped on the prostrate monarch, exiling him to the netherworld. According to certain accounts, Vamana did not enter the netherworld and instead delegated its rule to Mahabali.

Vamana is known as Trivikrama in its enormous form. The tradition is linked to the Thrikkakara Temple in Kerala, as well as the Ulagalantha Perumal Temple in Tirukoyilur. This temple is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams.

What is Divya Desams– A Divya Desam or Vaishnava Divya Desam is one of the 108 Vishnu and Lakshmi temples recorded by the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava faith. 105 of the 108 temples are in India, one is in Nepal, and the final two are thought to be in space, in Tirupparkatal and Vaikuntham. They are distributed over the Indian states of Tamil Nadu (84), Kerala (11), Andhra Pradesh (2), Gujarat (1), Uttar Pradesh (4), and Uttarakhand (3). Muktinath, Saligramam is Nepal’s sole Divya Desam. The 12 Alvars respect the Divya Desams in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil hymns.

History of Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

It is Kanchipuram’s oldest temple, according to historian Nagaswamy. Pallavas are thought to have erected the temple, with later contributions from Mediaeval Cholas, Vijayanagar kings, and Madurai Nayaks. Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044 CE) built the temple. The temple contains 15 inscriptions from different dynasties like as the Pallavas, Cholas, and Sambuvarayars. The first inscription dates from 846 CE, during Nandivarman III’s reign (846 – 869 CE). Later Chola rulers, such as Rajadhiraja Chola II (1166-78) and Rajaraja Chola III (1216-56) left inscriptions showing numerous records of contributions to the shrine.

The architecture of Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

The Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram is around 60,000 square feet in size and features a three-tiered raja gopuram (main tower) with seven kalas. Thirukkarvaanam, Thirukaaragam, Thiruooragam, and Thiruneeragam are the temple’s four Divya desams. Tirumangai Alvar and Thirumazhisai Aazhwar’s lyrics honour the shrine. Ulagalantha Perumal is nearly 35 feet tall, with his left leg at a right angle to the body and parallel to the ground. The vimana, or sanctum roof, is elevated to accommodate the large picture of the presiding deity.

Facts about Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

• Ulagalantha Perumal Temple is a Vishnu temple located in the ancient town of Kanchipuram, in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Tirumangai Alvar’s and Thirumaisai Alvar’s lyrics honour the temple. The temple’s Thaayar is Amuthavalli (Amirthavalli), while the festival deity is Loganathan.
• The temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.
• The temple is revered in Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alvar in one hymn of Thirunedunthandagam.
• The temple is unique among Divya Desams as it is the only temple complex that houses four different Divya Desams.

Famous Festivals In Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

• Brahmmotsavam is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
• Chitra Poornima is also a major occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.

How to reach Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

Ulagalantha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram is a Vishnu temple located in the ancient town of Kanchipuram, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

By Air: There is no airport in Kanchipuram, and the nearest airport is in Chennai, which may take two hours to reach.

By Railway: Kanchipuram is well connected by rail and has a railway station inside the city. Trains from Chennai, Madurai and Trichy arrive often.

By Roadways: Transport in Kanchipuram is active throughout twenty-four-seven and buses to all important cities are available.

Also Read – Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple