Ashtabujakaram Divya Desam, Kanchipuram

Introduction

Ashtabujakaram is a Divya Desam, the sacred abode of Lord Vishu eulogized by the Azhwar saints through their hymns. It is located in the Kanchipuram town, in Tamil Nadu. The word 'Ashta' denotes number eight, and 'Buja' is the hand. As the Lord here appears with eight arms, he is known as Ashtabuja Perumal and the temple, also as Ashtabuja Perumal Temple. His consort is Goddess Pushpakavalli. This is one of the temples of Kanchipuram, where Lord Brahma is said to have performed severe austerities towards Lord Vishnu.

The Temple Legends

This is one of the many temples of Kanchipuram that share the same legend of the feud between Goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati. Once Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and Saraswati, the Goddess of learning had a big disagreement as to who is mightier of the two. Lord Indra was chosen as the judge to give a verdict on this. And Indra happened to choose Lakshmi as the more powerful one. Everyone, including Saraswati's consort Brahma, Lakshmi's consort Vishnu, and Lakshmi herself, accepted the decision, but Saraswati, being the loser, became furious. She then separated from Brahma and even started disrupting his prayers. Also, when Brahma tried to perform the Ashwamedha Yagna sacrifice, Saraswati directed her demons to play havoc there. She also sent a mighty serpent to the Yagasala, the place of the sacrifice, to spoil it. Then Lord Vishnu took the form of Ashtabhuja Perumal, holding eight different weapons in his eight hands, killed the serpent, and protected the sacrifice. This is said to have happened where the temple stands now.

Further, the temple is also associated with the legend of Gajendra Moksham, where Lord Vishnu gave salvation to an elephant called Gajendra. He was the king of the elephants and was pious and fully devoted to Lord Vishnu. One day, while taking the lotus flowers for the Lord from the temple tank, a crocodile caught the elephant's leg. As the elephant pleaded with the Lord for his life, Vishnu sent his discus, which slew the crocodile and saved the elephant. Hence Vishnu came to be known, also as Gajendra Varadhan since then.

The History and Architecture of Ashtabujakaram Divya Desam, Kanchipuram

This is an 8th-century Dravidian style temple believed to have been built by the Pallava kings, with renovations and additions by the Cholas and Vijayanagar kings, later. While there is a three-tier Raja Gopuram, the gateway tower, the temple is surrounded on all sides by a thick, granite compound wall. The temple also has two precincts. The presiding deity Lord Astabhuja Perumal is facing west in the sanctum sanctorum. He is blessing his devotees with eight hands, holding mighty weapons like the sword, shield, mace, bow, arrow, lotus, conch and chakra in them. He is also adorned with a garland made of Saligrama, a unique, black pebble, regarded as sacred. Goddess Lakshmi can be seen residing in the heart. There are separate shrines for his consort Pushpakavalli, Hanuman, Azhwars, Andal, Sudarsana Chakra, and Sarabeswara. The temple tank, known as Gajendra Pushkarani, is located at the entrance of the temple.

Temple Festivals

Brahmostavam, the grand annual festival, is celebrated here during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April-May), while Vaikunta Ekadasi is observed during the Margazhi (December-January). The Gajendra Moksha event is also celebrated as a festival in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August). The other festivals like Sri Rama Navami, Sri Krishna Jayanti, Navarathri, Deepavali, Pongal, etc. are also observed here as per tradition.

Benefits of worshipping Kanchipuram Ashtabuja Perumal

Vishnu is a highly compassionate God, and his love and blessings can be enjoyed by all his devotees equally. The proof of his love lies in the immense grace that he showed towards the elephant. Hence it is believed that the Perumal here showers his blessings on his devotees, expecting only true love and devotion in return, from them. His grace is really unfathomable. Goddess Lakshmi here can also bless her devotees with abundance and happiness throughout their lives.