Deepaprakasa Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Introduction

Deepaprakasa Perumal temple is a Vishnu shrine. The Lord is worshipped as Deepaprakasar, which translates to Vilakkoli Perumal, in Tamil. The Azhwar saints have revered this Lord in their sacred hymns, and so, this temple is counted as a Divya Desam, a very special abode of Vishnu. Maragathavalli Thayar is the Goddess, here. The place is also known as Thoopul, while the temple is referred to in Vaishnava parlance as Tiruththanka or Tiruththanka Divya Desam. ‘Deepam’ is a lamp, and ‘Prakasam’ is light or brightness, and thus the Lord, who remains the prime source of light, is said to act as the lamp and brighten the lives of the people. It is believed that Vishnu appeared as Deepaprakasar for Brahma. This is the birthplace of the great 13th-14th century Vaishnava saint Vedantha Desikar, who remained a staunch devotee of this Lord.

Temple Legends

The mythological story about the temple relates to the disagreement between Goddess Saraswati and her consort Lord Brahma. Once, there arose a dispute as to who among the two, Lakshmi and Saraswati, was superior. The judge was Indra, the king of the heavens, who adjudged Lakshmi as the winner. Unable to accept the verdict, Saraswati approached her husband Brahma, who too agreed with Indra’s judgment. This created a lot of heartburn in Saraswati. When Brahma did an intense penance towards Vishnu and also tried to perform the Ashwamedha Yagya, Saraswati tried to create obstacles and disrupt the proceedings. But Vishnu came to the rescue of Brahma and warded off the impediments. It is also said that Saraswati sent demons to spoil the austerities, and they stopped all light and created so much of darkness all-around. But Vishnu is said to have appeared as a stream of light, restored the brightness, and enabled the overpowering of the dark forces. Lord Vishnu, who manifested as light to drive away the dark forces, is hailed as Deepa Prakasar.

The History and Architecture of Deepaprakasa Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

The temple is said to have been built or expanded during the medieval Chola period, while it received contributions from the Vijayanagar kings, too. The temple has a 3-tier Rajagopuram, the entrance tower, and 2 precincts, while a compound wall surrounds the temple complex with its shrines and water bodies. The presiding deity Lord Deepaprakasa Perumal is seated in the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Lakshmi Hayagriva, Andal, the Azhwars, and Vedanta Desika are housed in separate shrines. The Lakshmi Hayagriva idol was worshipped by Desika himself and is housed in the shrine along with the image of Desika. Saraswati Theertham, the temple tank, lies outside the complex.

Temple Festivals

Purattasi Brahmostavam is the biggest festival of the temple celebrated during September- October. And much prominence is given to Vedanta Desikar in the temple worships, rituals, and festivities. During the Brahmotsavam, the Desikar idol is carried to the famous Varadaraja Perumal temple, where the saint offers worship to that Lord. At the same time, the festival deity of Varadaraja Perumal comes to the Desikar shrine in this temple during the Brahmotsavam of Varadaraja Perumal temple, celebrated in Vaikasi (May-June).

Benefits of worshipping Deepaprakasa Perumal

It is believed that Deepaprakasar, the embodiment of light, can brighten the lives of the people with knowledge, wisdom, and joy. Devotees also pray here for progeny blessing and excellence in educational pursuits.