Tiruvekka Yadhothakaari Temple, Kanchipuram

Yadhothakaari temple is one of 108 Divya Desams (divine adobes of Lord Vishnu), located near the Rangaswamy tank. It is very close to the famous Varadarajar temple in Chinna Kanchipuram of South India.

As per the legend, when Lord Brahma was performing a yagna in this place, his consort Saraswati in the form of river Vegavati, started flooding this area. She did this to help the Asuras, who wanted to stop the yagna. As per the request from the Devas, Lord Vishnu lied down on Adi Sesha on the way to the river in three places - Parkadal (the milky ocean), Srirangam, and in this place. Hence, this place was called Vegavati anai (anai means "dam" in Tamil), then became Vegka, and the temple is referred to as 'Tiruvekka'.

Poigai Alwar was born on a lotus flower in the tank adjacent to this temple. Per the legend, Kanikannan, a disciple of Tirumazhisai Azhwar, was banished from the kingdom by the then ruler when he refused to sing on the King. When Tirumazhisai Azhwar left the place in search of him, Lord Vishnu, at the request of Azhwar, rolled Adisesha in his arms and followed Azhwar. Once Lord Vishnu left the site, the whole town faced several problems. The King realized his mistake and begged Azhwar to forgive him and return to his kingdom. Azhwar returned to the place, requesting Vishnu again to follow him. Since Vishnu did as asked by his disciple, he got the name ‘Sonnavannam Seitha Perumal’ (meaning the Lord who did as per the request by his devotee).

The highlight of this temple is that Ranganatha is in a unique resting posture with his head to the right side of the devotees and legs to the left side, unlike the other temples. Devotees such as Peyalwar, Poigai Alwar, Tirumazhisai Alwar and Tirumangai Alwar sang hymns in praise of the deity of this temple.

The temple is not very big, and there are only a few shrines. The main shrine has Lord Ranganatha (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) in the reclining posture with Lakshmi near his feet. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Komalavalli. Andal icon is stunning. I would say that this is one of the most beautiful icons of Andal I have ever seen. There is a shrine for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. As usual, there is a small shrine of Garuda facing the main shrine.

Happy travelling.

Site Name: Yadhothakaari Temple

Highlights:

1) Ranganatha in the reclining posture on the right side

2) One of the 108 Divya Desam temples

3) Birthplace of Poigai Alwar

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