Ashtabujakaram Temple or Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is located in Kanchipuram, is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Sri Vishnu, who is worshipped here as Ashta Bhuja Perumal with his consort Sri Lakshmi as Alamelumangai.
This is the only Divya Desam in Kanchipuram that has a Swarga Vaasal (Gateway to Heaven). The temple is one among the 108 Divyadesas of Perumal. This is the only Perumal Temple where Lord appears with 8 hands-bhujas. A separate Mangalasasanam is addressed to Mother by Azhwar only in this temple. Perumal is holding discus, sword, flower and an arrow in His right 4 hands, conch, bow, armour and club in the left four hands. The entrance and Sorgavasal in Perumal temples are generally in different directions. Both are facing north in this temple, a special feature.
Devotees Belief: Those buying building sites and farmland and those facing problems in houses built already pray to Perumal for removal of any evil elements in the places.
Kanchi Aadhikesava Perumal Temple Timings:
Morning: 7.00 AM to 12.00 Noon
Evening:4.00 PM to 8.00 PM
Ashtabhuja Perumal Temple Pooja Timings:
Viswaroopa Pooja – 06. 30 AM
Kaala Shanthi Pooja – 07.00 AM
Uchi Kaala Pooja – 09.00 AM
Sayaratchi Pooja – 05.30 PM
Raakkaala Pooja – 07.00 PM
Aravanai Pooja – 08.30 PM
Sri Ashtabhuja Perumal Temple Greatness:
Lord Brahmma felt sad that he was not respected by idol worship on earth like other lords and organized a great Yajna to make his wish come true. He left Mother Saraswathi. Mother Saraswathi sent powerful demons to stop the Yajna. Brahmma also prayed to Sri Vishnu to protect him from them. Sri Vishnu appeared there with 8 hands, Ashtabhuja Perumal, cast out the demons and the Kaali that followed him and helped Brahmma to perform his Yajna successfully.
Sri Ashtabhuja Perumal Temple History:
Yogi Mahasandan decided to renounce his life in this earthly world and to reach the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu. He plunged into penance for the purpose. Mahasandhan had such powers equal to Indira the king of Devas. Indira was shocked by the penance of Mahasandan and sent alluring beautiful women of his world to entice Mahasandhan to spoil his penance. They could not move the yogi. Finally, Indira came in the guise of a male elephant and succeeded in his design. The yogi enticed by the beauty of the elephant, took the form of an elephant himself and wandered in the forest till he reached Salagramam for a bath.
The yogi elephant was able to recollect his penance and the defeat he suffered then. It began visiting the Divya Desas, worshipped Perumal and sought a remedy for the folly it committed. Sage Mrikandu advised the elephant to go to Kanchi and worship Lord Varadaraja Perumal to realize its wish. It so happened that the elephant came to Lord Ashtabhuja Perumal temple and began worshipping Him 14,000 flowers each day. As it could not get sufficient flowers one day, it began plucking flowers from a nearby tank and was caught by a crocodile. As Gajendra did in the past, this elephant cried ‘Aadhi Moolame’ for protection. Lord, as He saved Gajendra in the past, appeared before the yogi elephant on His Garuda, cut the crocodile with His discus and granted salvation to the yogi elephant.
How to Reach Ashtabhuja Perumal Temple:
By Air:
The nearest airport is Chennai International Airport.
By Rail:
The nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram.
By Road:
Sri Aadhikesava Perumal Temple is 2 km from Kanchipuram bus stand at Tirukachi Nambigal Street in Chinna Kancheepuram.
Sri Ashtabhuja Perumal Temple Address:
401, Gandhi Road,
Chinna Kanchipuram,
Ennaikaran,
Kanchipuram,
Tamil Nadu – 631501.