Thiru Pavala Vannan | Sri Pavala Vannar Temple | Kanchipuram | Divya Desams - 055

About the Temple & Location:

This sthalam is situated near Railway station and is close towards Sri Kamakshi Amman temple in Big Kanchipuram.

It is said that both the Pacchai and Pavala Vannan Perumal has to be worshipped, without leaving any one of them. Opposite Pavala Vannar Sannadhi, 2 1/4 km away is the Pacchai Vannar Sannadhi is situated in the west direction. In spite of the Mangalasasanam not being done in Pachai Vannar sannadhi, both these two temples are considered to be single and have to be worshipped as a single Divya Desam.

Pacchai vannar, who is also called “Maragatha vannar” explains in this sthalam that he is the hamsam of Lord Shiva and Pavala Vannar as the hamsam of Para sakthi. So it is said that by worshipping these two sthalams at the same time, we worship both Lord Shiva and Parashakti.

It is believed that Vishnu assumed various colours during various eras according to the nature of the living beings and their behaviour. During Satya Yuga, people were well-behaved (sattva guna) and Vishnu was white (called sveta varna) in colour. During Treta Yuga, he assumed the colour of Pavalam (emerald) and hence came to be known as Pavalavannar or Pralavannar (in Sanskrit). In Dvapara Yuga, he assumed green colour (pachai in Tamil). In the current Kali Yuga, he assumed a blue tint called shyamala varna and it is believed that people will not be influenced by the form Vishnu appears. Vishnu is believed to have appeared for twin Aswini gods as Pavalavannar and hence retains the name in modern times.

As per another legend, Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge in Hinduism, wanted to stop the penance of her husband Brahma. She sent an army of demons to attack him. Vishnu stood up to save his devotee Brahma and was smeared with blood-red colour. He was called Pravalesa and Pavalvannan, the colour of emerald in Tamil. There is another temple named Pachaivannan, which is located axially across the road and these two twin temples are mentioned together.

The temple has various inscriptions from the Chola (10th -12th centuries) and Vijayanagar period (15-16th centuries). The temple is originally believed to be built during the period of Medieval Cholas. In modern times, the temple was maintained and administered by hereditary trustees, but litigation during 2014 from the Chennai High Court split the control between the trustee and the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Among the 12 alwars (the great saints in Vaishnavite tradition) three of them namely Peyalvar, Thirumalisai Alvar and Thirumangai Alvar have sung on the different forms of God in this temple. Many acharyas have also written songs on the various forms of God in this Temple. The temple faces west and the twin aswins have worshipped the Lord here.

As per another legend, sage Bhrigu was doing his penance and wanted to find out whom among the trio of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva would be the most accommodating when their patience was tested. Out of the three, he found Vishnu to be the most accommodating who in spite of the sage kicking him, went on to massage his legs for pain relief. The sage felt ashamed of his act, but Vishnu asked him to go to Kanchipuram to complete his penance. Vishnu appeared as Pavalavannar to the sage. The image of the sage is seen in the sanctum in worshipping posture inside the sanctum.

The central shrine of the temple has the image of the presiding deity, Pavalavannar in standing posture. The festive image of the presiding deity and that of Santhanagopala Krishnan are located inside the sanctum. The West facing sanctum is approached through the flagstaff, pillared halls, namely Maha Mandapam and the Artha Mandapam. The roof of the sanctum is called Vedasara Vimana and it has five kalasams and stucco images of various legends. The temple has separate shrines for Azhwars located to the North of the flagstaff. The pillars in the hall are sculpted with images of Nammazhwar, Ramanujar, Manavala Mamunigal and various avatars and legends of Vishnu. There are other shrines of Rama along with Seetha and Hanuman and Garuda. The vimana of the central shrine is called Vedasara Vimana. The shrine of Pavazhavalli, the consort of Pavalavannar, is located facing the central shrine on the Eastern side of the temple. The temple has two precincts with the second precinct enclosed by granite walls pierced by a five-tiered raja gopuram (gateway tower). The gopuram is studded with stucco images of various legends, with the notable among them being the representation of Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu slaying the demon Hiranya. A shrine of Manavala Mamunigal is located to the left of the gopuram from the entrance. The temple tank, Chakra Theertham, is located in the Northeast direction from the entrance.

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 7:00 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 Pavala Vanna Perumal and Pavazhavalli. During the last step of worship, nadaswaram (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. Brahmotsavam celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June) is the major festival of the temple. Pavitrotsavam celebrated during the Tamil month of Panguni (March - April) and Vaikunta Ekadasi during Margazhi (December - January) are the other festivals celebrated in the temple.

Moolavar and Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Pavala Vannar. Also called “Paramapatha Nathan” – Moolavar in Irundha Thirukkolam on Adhiseshan facing his thirumugham towards West Direction.

Prakthayaksham: For Brighu Maharishi, Aswini Devathai and for Parvathi.

Thaayar : Pavala Valli. Separate sannathi for Thayar.

Mangalasasanam:

Thirumangai Alwar – 1 Paasurams.

Total – 1Paasurams.

Vimanam:

Pavala Vimaanam.