Kanchipuram Vaikunta Perumal Temple - 108 Divya Desam

This Vaikunta Perumal temple, also known as Parameswara Vinnagaram is one of the exquisite temples in Kanchipuram on par with Kailasanatha temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it is one among the 108 divya desams (holy shrines) of Vaishnavism. As per Hindu legend, the region was once ruled by a king named ‘Virocha’ without any children to his sorrow. He made a request to Lord Shiva in the adjacent Kailasanatha temple and got blessed that the gatekeepers (2 persons) of Lord Vishnu in his paradise, will be born as sons to him. It happened to the king and he named this Pallavan and Vallavan. As the days passed by, both the boys once conducted Ashwametha yaga (horse sacrifice) for the welfare of the people of their kingdom. Lord Vishnu was very happy with their genuinity and appeared before them to give boons. They requested him to stay here as Vaikuntanathan and thus this shrine came into existence.

The temple was built by Pallava king Nandivarman II in late 7th CE, and maintained by the successive kings of various dynasties. The speciality of this temple is that, unlike a single sanctum in most temples, this one has three one above another. The base floor has Lord Vishnu in seated position believing that he is advising the kings. The second and third floors have Vishnu in sleeping and standing positions respectively. Another interesting fact of this temple is that the panels on the left walls depict the stories of Vishnu, whose home this temple is. On the right, it contains the stories from the life of King Nandivarman. This juxtaposition of parallels between the stories of Vishnu and the King makes these sculptures interesting. Though the temple is not big, it is quite compact and stunning. It enthralls us with its rows of lion-shaped pillars in front of the profusely sculpted walls. They imply to be the guardian of the shrine. The temple is a must visit for the tourists while in Kanchipuram.