Sri Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple

Sri Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple in Thirukandiyur, a village in the outskirts of Thiruvayaru in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Maha 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 Gajendra Varadha and his consort Lakshmi as Ramanavalli.

This is the only divya desam where the Lord provides Darshan to two animals Monkey God Anjaneyar and Elephant gajendran.

Saint Tirumazhisai Azhwar had praised Perumal of this temple as “Attrangarai kidakkum Kannan – Kannan reclining on the river bed”.  Since then he is endearingly called Kannan by the devotees and the name had come to stay.  Among the celebrated five Perumal temples as Pancha (five) Krishna Kshetras, Kabisthalam is one.  Other four are Tirukannamangai, Tirukannapuram, Tirukovilur and Tirukannangudi.

History and Significance:

As per Hindu legend, King Indrajuman, who immersed himself in the worship of Lord Vishnu, failed to strengthen his army and lost his kingdom. While doing worship, he also did not observe the sage Durvasa (some sources claim it as Agasthya) who went along his way. The sage got irritated and cursed the king to be born as an elephant in his next birth. The king apologized to the sage for his negligence and moved by his innocence, the sage wished that he would continue to be a Vishnu devotee as an elephant and that Vishnu would bestow him goodwill.

There was a demon by name Koohoo in the temple tank at this place, who troubled all who took bath in the tank. He was cursed by a sage to be born as crocodile in his next birth. The elephant Gajendra continued as a Vishnu devotee and while drinking water from the temple tank, his leg was grabbed the crocodile Koohoo. The elephant cried in rescue calling the name “Adimulam” and Vishnu sent his discus to fend off the crocodile. Both the elephant and crocodile turned to their human form by the grace of Vishnu. Since Vishnu appeared heard to save the elephant Gajendra, he came to be known as Gajendara Varadar. Hanuman, the monkey lietutinant of Rama, (avatar of Vishnu) also worshiped Vishnu at this place and hence the place came to be known as Kabisthalam (kabi in Tamil indicated monkey).

Sri Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Tirumazhisai Alwar in one hymn.

Festivals:

The Gajendra Moksha Leela celebrated in the Tamil month of Adi (July–August), Chariot festival during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May–June) on Visakam star and Brahmmotsavam are the major festivals celebrated in the temple, along with all Vishnu related festivals.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity:

The Moolavar of this Sri Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple is Sri Gajendra Varadhan. Moolavar in Kidantha Kolam in Bhujanga sayanam facing East direction. Prathyaksham for Anjaneyar and as Bhaktha Elephant for Gajendran. Thayaar is Ramamani Valli (Potramaraiyaal).

Temple Pooja Daily Schedule:

Sri Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple is open from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m

How to reach:

10 to 12 kms from Thirukkoodaloor.

20 kms from Kumbakonam via Swamimalai.

8.5 kms from Swamimalai.

From Kumbakonam use State Highway #22 and travel via Swamimalai up to Kabisthalam.

From Thirukkoodaloor travel towards Papanasam (Do not drive up to Papanasam)

However, left turn before Papanasam towards Kabisthalam.