Thirukaarvaanam Temple, Kanchipuram

Introduction

Thirukaarvaanam is a Vishnu shrine. This is located in the Ulagalantha Perumal Temple in the ancient town of Kanchipuram, in the Tamil Nadu state. The presiding deity is Sri Kaarvaana Perumal, who is also known as Sri Kalvar Perumal. Goddess Kamalavalli Nachiyar is his consort. Hence, this temple is also called the Kaarvaana Perumal temple. This also remains a Divya Desam, the Vishnu abode that has been praised in the hymns of the great Azhwar saints. In fact, the Ulagalantha Perumal temple complex contains as many as 4 such Divya Desams. These are Thiru Ooragam, Thiru Neeragam, and Thiru Karagam, apart from Thiru Kaarvaanam. The legends of all these Divya Desams remain associated with the chief deity, Ulagalantha Perumal, in some form or the other, and hence remain linked to one another.

Temple Legends

The temple legend is the same as that of the Vamana Avatar of Lord Vishnu, elaborated in many scriptures, including the sacred Bhagavatha Purana. Mahabali, the grandson of the ardent Vishnu devotee, was a powerful demon king. He was righteous and generous but had a king-size ego. He invaded the heavens, defeated the Devas, the celestial beings, annexed their kingdom, and drove them out of their land. The Devas took refuge under Vishnu, who decided to come to their rescue. Assuming the form of a dwarf Vamana, he reached the site of the great sacrifice that Mahabali was performing. Deeply impressed with the spiritual aura and brilliance of the youngster, Mahabali bowed to him and promised to grant him whatever he wanted. But all that the young boy asked for was only 3 paces of land measured by his small feet. As the demon king agreed and prepared to sanctify the donation, Vamana began growing in size, and soon his form assumed gigantic proportions. In this Trivikrama form, that spread through the universe, he measured the heaven and earth in just 2 of his steps. And for the third measure, he placed his foot on the head of Mahabali, which the demon offered to him with devotion. In the process, the Lord pushed Mahabali to the netherworld, retrieved the heaven from his clutches, and restored that to the Devas, its rightful owners. The Lord thus became Ulagalantha Perumal, the one who measured the worlds. But Lord Vishnu also gave his blessings to Mahabali and made him immortal.

It is said that as he was pressed down by Vishnu’s foot, Mahabali could not worship the wonderful Trivikrama form. So he did severe penance and obtained the darshan of the Lord as Ulagalantha Perumal, here.

The History and Architecture of Thirukaarvaanam Temple, Kanchipuram

Thirukaarvaanam Temple, which remains a portion of the Ulagalantha Perumal temple, is one of the very old places of worship of the temple town of Kanchipuram. The temple inscriptions reveal that the Pallavas must have built it around the 8th-9th century CE, and the Cholas must have expanded it later.

The presiding deity Kaarvaana Perumal or Kalvar is in a standing position in his shrine, facing North, and his consort is Kamalavalli Thayaar. The roof above the shrine is Pushkala Vimana, and the sacred tank is Kavuri Theertham. As per a legend, this Lord appeared for Goddess Parvati, here. The temple complex has a 3-tiered Rajagopuram, the entrance tower.

Temple Festivals

Vaikunta Ekadasi is celebrated with devotion in the month of Margazhi (December-January), while the annual Brahmotsavam is also held with enthusiasm. Thiruvona star days are also observed with special prayers and rituals.

Benefits of worshipping Thiru Kaarvaana Perumal

The Lord took the Ulagalantha form to destroy the arrogance of Mahabali and made good sense dawn in him. Hence it is believed that worshipping the Lord here can clear a person’s ego and help him or her to be virtuous. This can also guide people to walk the path of spirituality.