God with eight weapons in eight arms - Ashtabujakaram temple, Kanchipuram

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Ashtabujakaram temple, one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy adobes of Vishnu), is located south of Rangaswamy tank in Chinna Kanchipuram, South India. As per the legend, Lord Vishnu took eight weapons in his arms to fight the Asuras intruding the yagna conducted by Lord Brahma. Hence, he got the name Ashtabujakaram (Ashtha="Eight"; karam="hand").


As per another legend, Indra sent Devakanyas to divert the sage Mahasudha from penance in this site. The sage, attracted by ladies who had taken the form of elephants, took the form of a bull elephant and started living with them. When he realized his mistake, he sought the help of the sage Markandeya. Markandeya suggested him to worship Ashtabujakaram. The sage worshiped Vishnu with a lotus flower in the form of an elephant. One day, the elephant's leg was caught by a crocodile. The elephant cried for Lord's help. Lord Vishnu rescued the elephant by killing the crocodile, and this incident is termed 'Gajendra Mokhsa'.


The principal deity Ashta buja Perumal (Vishnu) is seen with astha bujam (eight arms) having weapons – discus, sword, flower, arrow, conch, bow, kedaya and gada . He is also known as Gajendra Varadan, and Adi Kesava Perumal. 


There is a separate shrine for the goddess Pushpavalli. Next to the shrine, there is a shrine for BhooVaraha. This temple also has minor shrines of Garuda, Hanuman and Andal. The tank where the elephant Gajendra got Moksha is outside the temple.


Happy travelling.



Location: Vedachalam Nagar Extension, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502, India

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