Ulagalandha Perumal Temple

Ulagalandha Perumal Temple is a temple dedicated to Vishnu located in Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu, India. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6^th – 9^th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Ulagalantha Perumal and his consort Goddess Lakshmi as Amudavalli.

Ulagalantha Perumal temple is situated just a kilometer north of Kanchipuram bus stand. Lord Vishnu is normally seen in one of the three postures – Standing, Sitting or sleeping posture. From that point, the Ulagalantha Perumal at Ooragam is no different. However, while he is seen standing facing west, this is no simple standing posture of the Lord.

The temple is believed to have been built by Pallavas, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks. The temple is found in Big Kanchipuram and situated close to Kamakshi Amman Temple. The temple also houses four other Divya Desams namely Thirukkaarvaanam, Thirukkaarakam, Tiruooragam and Thiruneerakam.

As per Hindu legend, Vamana, a dwarf, and one of the ten avatars of Vishnu, appeared here to quell the pride of Asura king Bali. Ulagalantha Perumal is believed to have appeared to king Mahabali and the Azhwars. Six daily rituals and a dozen yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the chariot festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai (March–April), is the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.

The temple is in the prestigious list of the 108 Divyadesas of Perumal. Lord blesses the devotees in a standing form with his right leg pressed on the ground with the left upward. The temple is adored by the Mangalasasanam hymn of Saint Tirumangai Azhwar.

The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Ulagalantha Perumal also called as Trivikraman stands at a height of 35 feet with his right leg at a right angle to the body and parallel to the ground, placed on the head of the demon King Mahabali. The two left hand fingers of Lord are seen stretched out, which indicates that he took two steps to measure the world. And one finger of his right hand refers to the question that Lord posted to the demon king, where he could place his third step.

The Goddess of this temple is ‘Amudhavalli Thayaar‘(Goddess Lakshmi) and the festival deity of this temple is Lord Loganathan. The four Divya Desam Temples are located within this same shrine. They are:

• Thirukkarvaan
• Thirukaaragam
• Thiruooragam
•  Thiruneeragam

The Vimanam (tower above the sanctum sanctorum) of Ulagalantha Perumal Temple is called Saara Srikara Vimanam, which accommodates the huge idol of Lord Ulagalantha Perumal. The Pushkarani (temple tank) of Ulagalantha Perumal Temple is called Naga Pushkarani and Sesha Pushkarani.