Thiru Paadagam | Sri Pandava Thoothar Temple | Kanchipuram | Divyadesams - 048

About the Temple & Location:

This Divyadesam is also considered to be an important Divyadesam in Kanchipuram. It is situated near Ekambareswarar temple in Big Kanchipuram. It is near to Gangai Kondaan Mandapam.

Pandavathoothar Perumal Temple or Thirupadagam located in Kanchipuram in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna, an avatar of the god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshiped as Pandava Thoothar Perumal (Krishna) and his consort Lakshmi as Rukmini, Krishna's principal wife.

The temple is considered one of three oldest temples in Kanchipuram, the other two being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Yathothkari Perumal Temple. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. The temple has three inscriptions on its walls, two dating from the period of Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120 CE) and one to that of Rajadhiraja Chola (1018-54 CE). A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines and two bodies of water. There is a four-tiered rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, in the temple.

Pandava Thoothar is believed to have appeared to Pandava. Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Krishna Janmashtami festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Aavani (August–September), is the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Sthalapuranam :

When Janameyjayan was hearing the Mahabharatha story from Vaisambhayanar, he heard that once Shri Krishna went to Duriyodhanan as Thoodhuvan – Diplomatic Messenger (a person who is sent to compromise and to avoid the war). Sri Krishna went to Hasthinapuram to compromise on war. But, Duriyodhanan wanted to kill Sri Krishna which is said to be against the Dharma.

So, he dug a big pit under the chair where Sri Krishnan was made to sit. Inside the pit, lots of his soldiers were placed to kill Sri Krishna. It is Sriman Narayanan who looks at the action performed after each and every Jeevathamas. So, he clearly understood the plan of Duryodhana. But, opposite to it, Sri Krishna gave them his Vishwaroopa Darshan to all.

After hearing all this, Janameyjayan wanted to get the seva of Vishwaroopa Darshan of Sriman Narayanan as he gave for all in the Duriyodhan’s palace. So, he started to do the Ashwametha yagam. And at the end of the yagam, Sriman Narayanan gave his seva in Vishwaroopa Darshan as “Pandava thoothan”.

Note : According to Dharma, when a person is sent as Thoodhuvan, he should be given proper respect and no harm should be done towards him.

History:

The temple is considered one of three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram, the other two being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Yathothkari Perumal Temple. The temple is originally believed to be built during the period of Pallavas. The temple has a set of inscriptions associated with Cholas. A record of the Chola king, Rajakesari Varaman alais Kulothunga Chola I, dated in his fifth year. Records show that a merchant provided the temple with a flower garden and purchased from the village of Ovirukkai some lands for the benefit of the gardeners. The cost of the 2,000 kulis(tax-free) was 11 kalanjus equal in finesse of Madhuranthaka madai and the assembly could not levy in consequences velli kasu, nirallai, sylvari, sorumattu etc. The south wall of the temple has inscriptions of Kulothunga Chola I, dated in his 39th year. Records gift of two kalanjus and two manjadi by a merchant to the pujari(temple priest) who were to supply two malis of curd daily. There are inscriptions on the base of the western wall of the central shrine from the period of Rajadhiraja Chola II (1166-78 CE) indicating gifts of 32 cows for lighting lamps of the temple.

Architecture

The temple is in Periya Kanchipuram, a locality in central Kanchipuram, a South Indian town in the state of Tamil Nadu. The main entrance of the temple faces east and the temple has a rectangular plan. The temple has a four-tiered rajagopuram and a single precinct enclosed in the walls. The Maha mandapa is believed to have been built by the Cholas, while the adjacent hall during the period of Vijayanagara Empire.

The central shrine of the temple has a large image of the presiding deity Pandava Thoothar, which has a height of 25 ft (7.6 m). Such a large historical image of Krishna is unique. The deity is seen seated in Ardha Padmasana posture with his right leg bent to the basement. Since Krishna appeared in human form, the icon has only two arms, unlike other temples, where he is depicted with four or more hands. The right palm depicts the Abhayamudra for protection and the left arm depicts Varada Mudra for giving boon. The shrine faces east and the vimana of the temple is called Bhadra Vimana.

The preceding hall to the main sanctum, Mukha Mandapa, has bronze images of the festival deities of the temple and Azhwars. The most prominent of them is of Arulala Permula Emburamanar, the disciple of Ramanuja, whose image is rarely found in other Vishnu temples.

The Shrine of Rukmini is located to the south of the main shrine and has the image of Rukmini. There are modern additions like Chakrathazhwar with an image of Narasimha on its reverse located behind the main shrine. Matsya Theertham, the temple tank, is located on the northeastern side of the temple.

Festivals and religious practices

The temple follows the traditions of the Thenkalai sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows vaikhanasa agama. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), nivedhanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Pandava Thoothar and Rukmini. During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.

The major festival of the temple is Krishna Janmasthami, celebrated during the Tamil month of Aavani (August - September). The other major festival of the temple is celebrated during Bharani of Karthigai (November–December) in honour of Arulala Peruman Emperumanar. {Saint Emperumalar was believed to have been born in this place - he had a debate with saint Ramanuja for 18 days and finally became his disciple.} There is a shrine dedicated to him in the temple.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Pandava Thoothar. He is found in Irundha (sitting) thirukkolam, facing East direction.

Pratyaksham for Janamejayan and Hareetha Munivar.

Thaayar :

Rukmani and Sathya Bama.

Sannadhis:

Separate sannadhis for Arulalaperumal, Emperumanaar, Chakrathalwar and Narasimhar.

The Sculpture in this temple says the Lord here as “Thootha Hari“.

Mangalasasanam:

Thirumazhisai Alwar – 2 Paasurams.
ThiruMangai Alwar – 2 Paasurams.
Bhooda Talwar – 1 Paasuram.
Periyalwar – 1 Paasuram.

Total – 6 Paasurams.
Manavala maamuni also did mangalasasanam here.

Pushkarani:

Matheesya Theertham.

Vimanam:

Bathra Vimanam and Vetha kodi vimanam.