Ambassador at Thiru Padakam

Out of all the Archa murthies of emperuman, the one at padakam is the most majestic and tone of the tallest.

The moolavar of this divya desam is Pandava Thoodha perumal. Here emperuman is 28 feet tall and is in Irundha thirukolam (sitting posture). Emperuman is flanked by Thaayaars Rukmani and Sathyabama in the sanctum sanctorum. As the taayaars are present by emperumans side, there is no separate sannidhi for taayaar. The designs on the moolavars garments are truly intricate and also fantastic. The deity is not of stone but of stucco and the design of the garment is part of the idol, so there is no need for any Vastharam for the Perumal.

The legend goes thus, once Vaisampayana was narrating the story of Mahabharatha to King Janameyajeyan, the king was impressed when the event of Sri Krishna revealing himself through the Viswaroopa dharshan when he went to Hasthinapuri as an ambassador of Pandavas. The king longed to have the same kind of dharshan of Vishnu and was advised to perform an Aswamedha yaga. The king performed the yaga at this place and emperuman revealed himself as pandava thootan to the king. Later on about 1,000 years ago King Rajakesari Varman built the present temple. Some Sculpture in the temple refer to the lord as Thootha Hari.

Mangalaasaasanam: There are a total of 6 pasurams about emperuman of this divya desam referred in Naalaayira Divya Prabhandam.

• Bhoothath Alwar has sung 1 pasuram (2275)
• Pei Alwar has sung 1 pasuram (2311)
• Thirumazhisai Alwar has sung 2 pasurams (814, 815)
• Thirumangai Alwar has sung 2 pasurams (1541, 2674 (427))
  

Location: This temple is situated near to Ekambareshwarar temple in Big Kanchipuram. It is near Gangai Kondaan Mandapam. Kanchipuram is about 75 Kms from Chennai and is well connected by road.

Lord followed Instructions at Vekka

Emperuman, out of grace to his bhaktas gives darshan in Sayana sevai (sleeping posture) in 27 divya desams. Emperuman’s kidhantha thirukolam (sleeping posture) in the divya desams, are broadly classified into 8 types, which are called ashtavidha sayana divya desam. In all these divya desams the lord would have either turned to his left or would have been seen lying flat (that is the lords head would always be on your left side and the thiruvadi (his lotus feet) would be on your right side), except for one divya desam.

In this divya desam, vekka, the moolavar (presiding deity) is seen reclining on Anandha (five headed snake, popularly known as Adhiseshan) with his thiruvadi (lotus feet) to devotees’ left, unlike any other temple. In the sanctum sanctorum the lord is seen with Saraswathi and Taayaar Komalavalli Nachiyaar.

The lord of this temple is Vega sethu. Emperuman came here to block the ferocious flow of Vagavathi (Saraswathi) river which was on the way to engulf the aswametha yagam of Brahma which was being performed in Athigiri hill (the present day sanctum sanctorum of Varadaraja temple in kanchipuram). The Vega Sethu then became Vegavanai and then finally named as Vekkanai and finally became "Vekka". Emperuman graced devotes in sayana thirukolam, lying from left to right (as seen in other divya desams) up until 7th Century AD. As Lordess Saraswathi is the reason for the lord’s presence, she is present along with the lord.

Reason for the change in position of the lord:

When Thirumazhisai Alwar was living in Kanchipuram, a very old lady (Daasi) used to do kainkaryam by cleaning his house daily. On becoming happy on the favour she is doing daily to him, Alwar changed her from old lady to a beautiful woman. After this, wondering at the beauty, the king married the woman and she became the queen of the place. On hearing the secret of an old lady becoming a beautiful woman, he was in an eager mood to meet Thirumazhisai Alwar.

The king called up Kani Kannan, who was a great disciple of Thirumazhisai Alwar, and asked that Thirumazhisai Alwar should come to his palace and should sing a poem on praising him. On hearing this, Kani Kannan said that all the poems and songs that comes from the mouth of Thirumazhisai Alwar belongs to Emperuman and it is impossible for him to come to the palace and sing a poem on praising the king.

On hearing this, he showed lots of gold ornaments, silver items, Diamonds etc to Kani Kannan and since he being very close to Thirumazhisai Alwar, at least he could sing a poem on praising him. But, Kani Kannan refused to do so and said he will not sing praising humans. The King got angry on hearing this and ordered him to get out from Kanchi at once.

Kani Kannan went to Thirumazhisai Alwar and explained all about that had happened in the palace and prepared to start getting out from Kanchipuram. Thirumazhisai Alwar also prepared to start from Kanchi along with Kani Kannan. While they were going, he sung a song on the Yadhothakari Perumal as Kani Kannan is leaving Kanchipuram, he is also going along with him and Alwar asks the Perumal to get up from Anandan, which is the bed for him and roll it and wants him to quit from Kanchi.

The Perumal also got out from Kanchipuram following the Alwar and Kani Kannan. On hearing this, the king and all the people of Kanchi, begged Kani Kannan to return back to Kanchipuram.

And after this, Kani Kannan along with Thirumazhisai Alwar came back to Kanchipuram. When returning, Alwar sung a song asking that Kani Kannan has returned back to Kanchipuram and he want the Perumal to go and sleep in his Anandan in the temple. On hearing this, Emperuman comes back to Thiruvekka temple.

Since the Perumal obeyed the words of Thirumazhisai Alwar and did what he said, he is called as "Sonna Vannam seitha perumal". Sonna vannam seitha means obeying and doing the same what was told to him. This name became famous and the lord is identified by this name only. Some call the lord as Yathothagari, which in Sanskrit means the same.

As a proof that the lord went out and came back, he is reclining from right to left.

Mangalaasaasanam: A total of 15 pasurams has been sung on this lord.

• Poigai Alwar has sung 1 pasuram (2158)
• Pei Alwar has sung 4 pasurams (2307, 2343, 2345, 2357)
• Thirumazhisai Alwar has sung 3 pasurams (814, 815, 2417)
• Nam Alwar has sung 1 pasuram (2503)
• Thirumangai Alwar has sung 6 pasurams (1854, 2059, 2064, 2065, 2673(70), 2674 (127)

Location: This divya desam is located in Kanchipuram, which is about 50 Kms. from Chennai, very near Varadarajan temple.

Dr. Veeraraghava of Thiruvallur

Dr. Veeraraghava perumal, specialist in curing all illness, is available for consultation, free of cost, just near Chennai.

I couldn’t think of a better way of introducing lord of Thiruvallur.

The moolavar in Thiruvallur is seen reclining on Ananda (five headed snake popularly known as Adhishesa) in Bhujanga sayana (Bhujanga means serpent). The lord’s right hand is positioned on Salihothra rishi’s head while the left hand is in the Gyana Mudra position indicating the teaching of the four Vedas to the Lord Brahma who is seen emerging from the umbilicus (Naabhi Kamalam) of the Lord.

Unlike other temples the moolavar doesn’t wear dhothi but is covered with dhuppati (comforter) as that would protect the lord from cold. The lord appeared on this divya desam on an Amaavasai day in tamil month of Thai (mid January to mid Feburary) that being colder part of the year, explains for the extra care being provided. For the same reason thirumanjanam to the moolavar is not performed and he remains always on thaila kappu (similar to the special paste prepared and applied to moolavars in all temples).

As per learned Vasishnava scholars, initially the lord was called ‘Evvul Kindanthan’ up to to the time of Thirumangai Alwar. Thirumangai Alwar while singing the praise of the lord visualized and referred to the lord as Sri Veera Raghavan. Pasurams 2.2.1 and 2.2.2 of Periya Thirumozhi, sung by Thirumangai Alwar, describes the lord as Lord Rama. From then on the lord has been referred as Lord Veera Raghavan. Logic is if the lord was Rama then he wouldn’t have Sridev and Bhudevi by his side. As the lord residing here is able to cure all the illnesses he is popularly called Vaithiya Veeraraghavan.

Taayaar of this divya desam is Kanakavalli thaayaar and is in a separate sannidhi. Taayaar is also called Vasumathi, the legend goes that lord married the Thaayar, who borne in this sthalam as the daughter of King Dharmasenan and was named "Vasumathi".

It is a believe that by offering salt and pepper by the bali peetam near the Dwajasthambam (holy flag mast) diseases are cured. Another popular ritual is to dissolve jaggery in the pushkarani (sacred tank).

Mangalaasaasanam: Tirumangai Alwar has sung 11 pasurams (1058-67, 2674 (116)) and Tirumazhisai Alwar has sung 1 pasurum (2417) praising the lord. The pasuram numbers refered are as found in Naalaayira Divya prabhandam. Interestingly even Ramalinga Adigalaar has sung in praise of the deity at Tiruvallur.

Location: Tiruvallur is on the Chennai Tirupati highway. It is about 40 Kms from Chennai. Need to go into the town of Thiruvallur while passing the town on the highway.

Nithya Kalyana perumal in Thiruvidandhai

In this temple, one finds the Lord in a unique standing posture. The presiding deity here is Varahaswamy. Varahaswamy is the third among the ten avathara (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Here Lord Lakshmi Varahaswamy stands with amazing grandeur, very tall and seen balancing Thaayaar Agila Valli on his left thigh. Moolavar is supposed to make a Mantraupadesha to Thaayaar. The lord here while having his right leg on the ground, the other is on Ananda (five headed snake, popularly known as Adhisheshan) and his wife. And he is seen balancing Goddess Agila Valli on his left thigh.

The thaayaar, Komalavalli Thaayaar, is in a separate sannidhi.

Thiruvidandhai got its name as the Lord here is seen holding Sri Lakshmi on His left lap. In Tamil ‘Thiru’ means Lakshmi, ‘Ida’ means left and ‘Endhai’ means ‘my father’ (God). Hence the place came to be known as Thiru Ida Endhai which later corrupted to become Thiruvidandhai.

This temple has another great significance. Utsava murthy is known as Nithyakalyana Perumal. The utsava murthy is seen sporting bridal attire (in yellow pancha-kachan and mai (black dot) in the right cheek). Kalyaana Urchavam is performed to the Lord everyday here.

To fully understand the significance behind the name and the bridal attire we need to go into the past. Legend goes that once, there lived a sage called Kuni. He along with his daughter performed severe penance together as they wanted to reach heaven. Sage Kuni succeeded in his penance and reached heaven but his daughter couldn’t. Sage Naradha appeared and told her that an unmarried woman cannot reach the heaven. In order to reach heaven she met many sages and requested them to marry her. Finally a sage called Kaalava Rishi agreed to marry her.

After their marriage, she gave birth to 360 female children. As the girls grew up the Rishi was worried as he had to get all his daughters married, which was a huge task. He prayed Lord Vishnu for help.

One day a handsome bachelor youth came to ashram as part of his holy pilgrimage. Kaalava Rishi requested the youth to marry his daughters. The young man agreed to marry one daughter everyday and the marriages went on everyday for 360 days. On the last day, the young man revealed himself as Lord Varaaha Perumaal to Kaalava Rishi and all the 360 daughters combined to become one woman, who was none other than Sri Lakshmi. The Goddess here is called as Komalavalli Thaayaar, as that was the name of the first daughter of Kaalava Rishi. The lord gave moksham to Kaalava rishi and his wife.

As all the 360 wives merged together as one, the Goddess here is also called as Akilavalli Thaayaar.

Another interesting legend associated with this temple: During Thretha Yuga (second among 4 Yugas), there lived a king called Bali, who was the son of King Meganaatha. He remained a victorious ruler and was known for his fairness. (Interestingly lord Vishnu in his fifth avathara goes to this king asking for three foot of land to rest his feet). Three demon kings by name Maali, Maalyavaan and Sumaali approached him and requested him to support them in their war against Devas for which Bali refused and asked them not to fight the Devas without a cause and refused to support the Asuras. The demon kings went ahead and fought with Devas in which they were defeated. They again came to Bali and requested him that if he can be with them, they can win over Devas.

As they insisted much, Bali accepted to help them in their battle against Devas. This time the demon king won the Devas in the battle. As Bali fought against Devas and won them, he acquired Brammahathi Dhosham and to get relieved of the ill effects of the Dhosham, he came to Thiruvidandhai and did penance towards the Lord. The Lord pleased with the devotion of Bali gave dharshan to him as Sri Varaaha Perumaal.

Procedure for unmarried people: Unmarried people (both men & women) are offered a garland to wear and walk around the temple 9 times after which they are to carry the garland home and keep safely till they are married. They have to bring back the same dried garland back to the temple after marriage along with their spouse. One can see many unmarried youths walking around the temple.

Mangalaasaasanam: Tirumangai Alwar has sung 13 pasurams (1021, 1108 -1117, 2673 (73), 2674 (119)) praising the lord. So has Sri Manavaala Maamuni. Please note the pasuram numbers are as found in Naalaayira Divya prabhandam.

Location: located about 40 kms from Chennai on the East Coast Road (ECR). While going from Chennai, one can see a big arch on the right side of the road, indicating the temple after two kilometers from Muttukadu lake.

Sthala Sayana Perumal at Thiru Kadal Mallai

The lord is found in Sayana sevai (kidantha thirukolam / sleeping posture) in 27 divya desams. The most common or abundant is Bhujanga sayanam (20 Divya desams), the most popular being Sri Rangam. Emperumaan in 26 divya desams recline on Ananda (five headed snake popularly known as Adhisesha). In Thiru Kadal Mallai the lord reclines on floor (Bhoomi / Sthal) with four hands.

The front two hands rests on Bhoomi and points towards His Lotus feet. While the lord’s right rear arm rest under his head and the left arm is in rising position as if to call the bhakths. Here the emperuman appears in a simple form without AdhisEsha, Chanku (counch) and chakram (discus), as he appeared in this divya desam to appreciate the rishi’s devotion and not to save or protect his bhaktha (rishi) from any evil or deamon. Pundarika Muni is seen with folded arms in the sanctum sanctorum by the lotus feet of the lord.

As if following suit with the lord, Thayar in this temple is also sitting on the floor (instead of sitting on lotus as seen in other temples) in a separate sannidhi. Thayar is named as “Nilamangai Thayar” which means Thayar is sitting on the floor.

Utsavar in this lovely temple is Sthalasayanatturaivaar also known as Ulagyuua ninraan, he portrays a lotus bud in his right arm. The lord is seen wearing a sweater to protect him from the cold as this picture was taken during the month of puratassi (December to January) which being the coldest months during the year in this part.

Legend has it thus: Pundareeka Maharshi, who was staying in Mahaballipuram, desirous of worshipping Lord Vishnu with 1000 lotus patels, proceeded eastward and was trying to drain the waters of the ocean to make his way. Pleased with the effort of the rishi, Lord Narayana came in the guise of an old man and asked for some food. Leaving aside the work of removing the water the rishi went to fetch him some food, and when he returned he found Lord Vishnu adorning Himslef with the flowers and giving dharsan as Ananthasayanam and having adorned himself with 1000 lotus petals. The lord is to have touched the sea water to swap away or to dry the sea water on behalf of rishi, by His soft hand. Hence the sea here is called "artha sEthu".

MangalAsAsanam: Thirumangai Alwar has sung 26 pasurams (1088- 1107, 1195, 1551, 2050, 2060, 2673, 2674) and Boothat Alwar has sung 1 pasuram (2251) on this divya desam.

Location: This temple is in Mahabalipuram which is 50 Kms south of Chennai and is well connected by road. Plenty of buses ply from Chennai. East Coast road from Chennai is good and the travel time is less than an hour on this toll road.

Anjaneyar at Thirukadigai (Sholingar)

Visit to Sholingar divya desam is not complete without the dharshan of lord Anjaneyar.

In no other place, Anjaneyar has:

• A hill and temple of his own abode
• Seen in yoga posture
• Seen with four hands
• Seen with sankhu (counch) and chakram (discus)
• Kreetam (crown) having the image of rama pattabishekam

The moolavar here gives dharshan in four hands the two upper arms hold the chakram (in the right) and sankhu (in the left) while the lower arms are in yoga poses. The lord holds japa malai (counting beads) in the lower right arm and the fingers of the left arm are folded as if to count the number of times he has completed japam.

The legend goes thus: Two demons by name "kaalan and kEyan" were disturbing and preventing the tapas of the saptha rishis. The saptha rishis took their case to Lord Rama, who was about to return to vaikuntam after the avataram. The lord then instructed Anjaneyar to go to this place and protect the rishis penance, for which he gave him his sankhu and chakram. Anjaneyar killed the demons (on a Sunday, till date thirumanjanam to the lord is performed only on Sundays at noon, to pacify him) and the rishis were able to complete their tapas. The lord appeared and Anjaneyar along with rishis had the dharshan of the lord. As a boon the rishis requested the lord to stay in this place as Narasimha until the end of kali yuga. The lord agreed. This explains the reason for sankhu and chakram.

According to a few Vaishnavite scholars, Anjaneyar is doing penance atop the hill to become the next Brahma (after the present kali yuga). The Lord has reportedly advised Anjaneyar that there is a better service to perform, than becoming a Brahma, which is just a post created for a specific purpose of being a creator of the Universe. Instead, the Lord has advised Anjaneyar, the 4-handed bestower of boons, that by blessing his devotees who visit Him at Thirukadigai (sholingar), he can remain in the eternal service of the Lord.

Location : The foot of the hill is about 5 Kms from Sholingar town. Lots of sings are available and the local people would also guide you to the hill, you need to ask for direction to the hill. Sholingar is about 120 Kms from Chennai. The best route to reach this temple frm chennai would be to via Thiruvallur, Thrutani, along the Chennai - Thirupathi - Chitoor route. Past Thirutanni one takes a detour to Sholingur. Approximate travel time would be 3.5 to 4 hrs. from Chennai.

Adikesava Perumal at Sholingar

Adikesava perumal in Sholingar town, had stepped back (literally) to accommodate the utsava murthy of Lord Narasimha (Bhaktavatsala perumal) of the Sholingar hill temple. As you enter the temple the main sanctum sanctorum houses the utsava murthy, and Adikesav perumal is in the sanctum sanctorum in the outer pragaram (right behind the main sanctum sanctorum) with sridevi and bhudevi in standing posture.

Legend has it that for abundant rains, thirumanjanam is to be performed with 1008 pots of offerings, which would include ghee, honey, oil and fruits to Adhikesava perumal.

Interestingly for all the water and offerings poured on the moolavar deity, there is no outlet inside the sanctum sanctorum. All the offerings get absorbed at the foot of the deity. It is remarkable not only spirutually but also an engineering marvel.

Another interesting feature is the absence of a Dhwajasthambam (holy flag mast) the reason being there is no moolavar for Bhaktavatsala perumal (the moolavar is on Sholingar hill).


On the lighter side, it seems Lord Narasimha has taken over the temple completely.

Right now renovations (balalayam) are being done to the Narasimha temple on the hill, which is expected to be completed before 15th November 2008, till then we could have the dharshan of the lord and lordess together (serthi) which by itself is rare as the utsavar goes up hill on couple of occasions during a year.

Lord & Lordess together

Location : Sholingar is about 120 Kms from Chennai. The best route to reach this temple frm chennai would be to via Thiruvallur, Thrutani, along the Chennai - Thirupathi - Chitoor route. Past Thirutanni one takes a detour to Sholingur. Approximate travel time would be 3.5 to 4 hrs. from Chennai.

Parthasarathy Swamy Kovil at Thiruvallikeni

When we consider the uniqueness of temples, the foremost temple that we need to view is that of Parthasarathy swamy temple at Tiruvallikeni in Chennai.

Let me embark on listing out the unique features that are present, please cherish these features and try to view these during your visit to this wonderful temple.

• Temple
  · There are two dwajasthambams (flag post) one for Sri Parathasarathy and the other for Sri Narasimhar. Similarly there are two entrances one each for Prathasarathy (east) and for narasimhar (west).
  · The Narasimhar is the shethra perumal (deity of Triuvallikeni)
  · Perumals of the 5 divya desams - Thirupathi Venkatesa Perumal, Srirangam Ranganathar, Kancheepuram Varadarajar, Ahobilam Narasimhar and Ayodhi Ramar - are present in separate shrines.
  · Vedavalli Thayar, seen in a separate sannidhi, is Ranganatha's consort (The legend goes thus: Mahalakshmi, after a quarrel with Lord Narayana, came down to Brindaranyam, and took the form of a beautiful child. The child was named Vedavalli and was raised by the rishi Bhrigu. When she was of marriageable age, Lord Narayana came down to earth as a handsome prince. On seeing Him, Vedavalli referred to Him as Mannathan - `My husband.' Bhrigu, realising who the young prince was, requested the Lord to remain there so that he could worship Him. The Lord remained here as Ranganatha. Unlike the Ranganatha in Srirangam, the Ranganatha in Tiruvallikeni does not face south, but east.
  · Madhuman, son of a Sashivadan rishi, heard of the story of Rama from Gargeya rishi, upon whose advice, he came to Brindaranyam (Triuvallikeni). Here he performed penance for a darshan of Rama. The Lord obliged appearing with Sita Devi and His brothers Bharata, Shatrugna and Lakshmana. Rama here faces south probably to reassure Vibhishana that He is watching over him.
  · The Varadar here is Gajendra Varadar, seated on Garuda ready to rush to the aid of His devotees. He appeared before Saptaroma rishi.
  · The Narasimha has been described by Tirumangai Azhwar as Telliyasingar. He appeared before Atri maharishi.

• Moolavar
  · The main deity is in the form of charioteer (In response to prayers of Chola king Sumathirajan to Lord Venkatesa of Thirumala to appear before him as Arjuna’s charioteer) so as per tradition, has a big moustache.
  · In the main shrine the lord gives dharshan with his complete family, which cannot be seen anywhere else, his consort Rukmani, elder brother Balaramar, younger brother Satyaki, son Pradhyumna and grandson Anirudha.
  · Since Krishna promised not to take any weapons in his hands during the Mahabharatha war, he is seen here with Sangu (in his right hand) only (without the Chakra). His left hand is in Varadha hastam.
  · Lord carriers a sword and a dragger, the sword is not a weapon of war in the conventional sense, but it is to drive away our ignorance and the dragger is a gift by the East India Company when the temple was under their administration.
  · Only temple where the lord is seen as the Gitacharyan.
  · The moolarvar is standing on Anantha (the five headed snake)
  
  
• Utsavar
  The Utsava murthy bears scars supposed to be from the arrows of Bheeshmar, when he was the charioteer to Arjuna in the Mahabharatha war (the legend goes thus: the gold smith in-charge for making the murthy used to finish the work and retire and in the morning would see scars in the face, this went for couple of times. The tradesman was disturbed and prayed to the lord for forgiveness. That night when the tradesman was asleep the lord appeared in his dream and instructed him to leave the idol with scares as that was how he looked in the battle field).

Location: This wonderful temple is in the heart of Chennai and all the (in) famous auto drivers know the location of this temple.

Narasimha

In all the avatharams of the lord, the fiercest is that of lord Narasimha. It is a common knowledge that the lord took the form of Narasimha (half lion and half man) in order to vanquish the asura Hiranyakasapu.

In Parthasarathy kovil, in Chennai there is a separate sannidhi for Narasimha, here the moolavar (the stone idol) is in yoga posture. The utsava murti (processional idol) is called Azhagiya singar (coarse translation means beautiful lion) who gives dharshan in four hands the two upper arms hold the chakram (in the right) and sankhu (in the left) while the lower arms are in yoga poses. The beauties of the lower arms are truly wonderful. The fingers of the left arm are folded as if to call you and the right arm is in abhaya pose (which represents protection, peace, benevolence, and dispelling of fear).

By this the lord is conveying to the devotees that he is indeed kind and large hearted and we need not be scared to approach Narasimha. Incidentally the utsava murti of Sholingar has the same posture (who is called Bhakta vatshala perumal).

Sridevi & Bhudevi with Varadarajar in Kanchipuram

In all the vaishnava temples the utsava murti (processional deities) are flanked by Sridevi (on the right side) and Bhudevi (on the left side) of the lord. Sridevi idol is seen with the left hand in the Kataka hasta pose (the fingers are partially closed, holding a lotus) and the right hand hangs loosely on the side and the fingers are held in the Gajakarna pose. Bhudevi idol is very similar to the idol of Sridevi, the only difference in the idols is the swap in the hand poses. The idol of Bhudevi has her right hand in Kataka hasta pose and the left in Gajakarna pose.

The utsava murti of Sridevi and Bhudevi of lord Varadaraja of kanchipuram are unique. Here both Sridevi and bhudevi have their right hand in the Kataka hasta pose (the fingers are partially closed, holding a lotus) and their left hand hangs loosely on the side and the fingers are held in the Gajakarna pose.

Both Sridevi and Bhudevi represent the two equal spirits of goddess Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Specially in Athigiri – Lord Varadarajan wants to emphasis that there is no difference between Sridevi and Bhudevi, that explains the reason for the similarity.

Location: Lord Varadarajara perumal temple is located in vishnu kanchi area of Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is about 75 kms from Chennai. One can take either the Chennai - Bangaluru express way or take the Chennai Kanchipuram highway which passes via Walajabad. Approximate travel time is about 2 hours.