Pandava Dhootha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Introduction

Pandava Dhootha Perumal Temple is an ancient shrine of Vishnu, of the temple town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. Also known as Thiruppadagam in history and literature, this is a Divya Desam, a sacred abode of Vishnu that has been praised in the compositions of as many as 5 of the 12 Azhwar saints – Peyazhwar, Bhoodhathazhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar, Nammazhwar, and Thirumangai Azhwar. The principal deity is Lord Pandava Dhoothar, who is none other than Krishna, in his role as the Dhoothar, the messenger of the Pandavas. His consort is Goddess Rukmini. Pandava Dhoothar Temple is one of the oldest temples of Kanchipuram.

Temple Legends

This temple is closely associated with epic Mahabharatha. Krishna went as the messenger of the Pandava brothers to the court of Duryodhana, to get for them, their rightful share of the land. But the treacherous Duryodhana hatched a plan to harm Krishna when he was in the court in their capital Hastinapura. He made a massive pit, covered it up with a carpet, and placed a well-decorated chair on that, for Krishna to sit. He also arranged for wrestlers in the pit to fight and finish off Krishna, once he fell into it. Krishna, who was a Vishnu Avatar, understood their evil design and took Vishwaroopa, his mammoth manifestation. He gave sight even to king Dhritarashtra, who was blind by birth, to witness his amazing form. It is said that after getting such a Vishwaroopa Darshan of the Lord, Dhritarashtra himself requested Krishna to make him blind again! As per the legend, he blessed Janamejaya, the great-grandson of Arjuna, with his Vishwaroopa Darshan in this place, and stayed here as Pandava Dhootha.

The term ‘Pada’ means large, and ‘Agam’ is residence, and thus, this place came to be referred to in earlier times as Thiru Padagam, the abode that houses the giant form of Vishnu.

The History and Architecture of Pandava Dhootha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

This Dravidian style temple was built by the Pallavas and was later patronized by the Cholas and the Vijayanagar kings. There are many inscriptions found in the temple that belong to the reign of Kulothunga Chola I. The temple has a granite compound wall enclosing the complex and also has a four-tier Rajagopuram, the main tower.

The gigantic image of Pandava Dhootha in the sanctum sanctorum is of 25 feet height. He graces his devotees in Arda Padmasana posture, with his right leg bent and left, dropping down. As Krishna appeared in his human form, he is portrayed here only with two hands, one of which shows Abhaya Mudra, the gesture of protection, and the other, Varada Mudra, the gesture of giving. The tower above the shrine is Badra Vimana, and the temple tank is Matsya Theertham. Goddess Rukmini, his consort, is in a separate shrine.

Temple Festivals

Krishna Janmashtami, the day of the advent of Krishna, is celebrated with much devotion and enthusiasm, during the month of Avani (August-September), here. The festivals like Mukkotti Ekadasi and Panguni Uthiram are also celebrated with fervor here. The Sattrumurai festival is observed for Arulala Perumal Emperumanar, a Vaishnava saint born here, on the Bharani star day, in the month of Karthikai (November-December).

Benefits of worshipping Pandava Dhootha Perumal

Pandava Dhootha Perumal graces his devotees in his magnificent Vishwaroopa form, which contains in itself, all other Gods and divinities. Hence, it is believed that circumambulating his shrine by feet is equal to worshipping 32,000 deities of this universe. Also, doing Angaprathakshana, the ritual of going around the shrine by rolling on the ground is believed to cure infections. As Krishna was born in Rohini star, people with Rohini as their birth star worship in this temple for getting their problems solved and for their wellbeing.