Ashtabujakaram Perumal Temple

You may also be interested in the following(s)


Ashtabujakaram Temple in Kanchipuram is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is located about 2 km from the famous Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. The temple's main deity is Lord Ashtabujakara Perumal. There is a separate sannidhi for Goddess Alarmel Mangai Thayar.

The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. The temple has three inscriptions on its walls, two dating from the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070?1120 CE) and one to that of Rajendra Chola (1018-54 CE).

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a four-tiered rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, in the temple.Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple.

The temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Moolavar      :     Adhi Kesava Perumal

Amman / Thayar    : Alarmel Mangai, Padmasani

Theertham    :   Gajendra Pushkarini

Old year     :   1000-2000 years old

Ashtabujakaram temple located in Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th - 9th centuries AD.

It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Ashta Bhuja Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Alamelumangai. In Ashtabujakaram Temple, Lord Vishnu is depicted with eight hands which is unnatural and is portrayed in a standing posture, facing west. The Ashta Bujam of Vishnu (eight hands) are holding the weapons  shanku, chakra, gadha, knife, padmam, arrow, bow, and kedaya.

Legend associated with the temple is that Lord Vishnu took the form of Ashtabhuja Perumal holding 8 different weapons to kill a ferocious Sarpam (snake) which came to destroy the yagna performed by Lord Brahma. The temple got it name after the Ashtabhuja form of Mahavishnu.

Temple is that this is the place where Gajendra Moksha took place.Unlike other Divya Deshams, Ashtabujakaram Temple is a small temple with a tank in front and has three gopurams. Other deities worshiped here are Lord Hanuman, Alwars, Andal, Chakra and Sarabeswara form of Shiva.

Do:
  • Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
  • Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
  • Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
  • Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
  • Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
  • Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
  • Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
  • Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:
  • Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
  • Do not smoke at Temple.
  • Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
  • Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
  • Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
  • Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
  • Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
  • Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  • Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
  • Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
  • Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
  • Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.

recommended items