Divya Desam - Kanchi

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TIRUKKACHCHI (Hastigiri)

 

This Divya shetram is located in Vishnu Kanchi – Kancheepuram. This

is one of the celebrated Vaishnava Divya Desams. The first prakaram

of the temple is on the Hastagiri hill. In Vishnu Kanchi there are

other shrines Ashtabhuyakaram, Tiruttanka, Tiruvelukkai, and

Tiruvegkaa. In Shiva Kanchi there are Tiru Oorakam, Tiru Neeragam,

Tiruppaatakam, Nilaattingal Tundam, Tirukkarangam, Tirukkaarvaanam,

Tirukkalvanur, Tiruppavalavannam and Parameswara Vinnagarm shrines.

 

The moolavar is Varadaraja Perumal also known as Devarajan in a

standing posture. Perundevi Thayar is housed in a separate temple

within the complex. The Theertham is Vegavathi Theertham and the

Vimanam Punyakoti Vimanam.

 

The legend has it that Brahma worshipped Lord Vishnu in this shetram

in Krita yuga, Gajendra in Treta yuga, Bruhaspathi in Dwapara yuga

and Adisesha in Kali yuga. It is also believed that Airavatam,

Indra's elephant, in the form of a hill bears the image of Lord

Vishnu. The original image of Varadaraja perumal (Attigiri Varadan)

made from Attimaram (fig), is kept inside the pushkarini in the

temple and brought out once in 40 years for worship for 10 days.

Azhwar mangalaasaasanam:

Tirumangai Azhwar – 1541, 2050, 2060, 2066

Bhootathazhwar – 2276, 2277

Peyaazhwar – 2307 (pasuram number as found in Nalaayira Divya

prabhandam)

 

The annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi,

and the Garuda Sevai and Rathotsavam draws thousands of pilgrims.

Adhyayana Utasam is celebrated during Margazhi.

 

This temple has rich collection of architecture in several mandapams

and particular mention is to be made of the stone chains in the

hundred-pillar mandapam. This temple occupies an area of 20 acres

with several mandapams and was patronized by the Chola and

Vijayanagara kings.

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Padmashri Sampathkumar