Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Thiru Kaaragam

Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Thiru Kaaragam

Thiru Kaaragam is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples situated in Kanchipuram. Sri Karunakara Perumal temple is within the Thiru Ooragam (Ulagalantha Perumal) temple. Ulagalantha Perumal Temple has the significance that this temple enshrines three Divya Desams – Thiruneerakam, Thirukkarakam, and Thirukkaarvaanam in its precinct. The temple is revered by the verses of Tirumangai Alvar.

Legends

As per Hindu legend, sage Garga performed his penance at Sri Karunakara Perumal temple and obtained knowledge. The place thus derived its name Garagaham, which later became Kaaragam.

Lord is explaining to the world that he is the Megham (Clouds) which brings rain to this world to enrich the wealth of the world. Without expecting any return, the clouds give the rain to the world. Since, Karunakara Perumal resembles as Kaar, the clouds, he doesn’t expects anything from his bhaktas but he only the pure Bhakthi from them. Since, the Perumal is not expecting from anything but only, the pure Bhakthi and show Karunai (Courtesy), the Perumal is called "Karunakara Perumal".

The Temple

The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Karunakara Perumal. He is found in standing position facing his thirumugham towards South direction (direction that belongs to the cool breeze). He is found along with Padmamani Naachiyaar also known as Ramamani Thayar and explaining to the world that he is the Megham (Clouds) which brings rain to this world to enrich the wealth of the world. Since he shows Karunai (Courtesy), the Perumal is called “Karunakara Perumal”. The temple is revered by the verses of Tirumangai Alvar.

In the Third Prakaram of Thiru Ooragam Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Devotees can worship Thiru Kaaragam Divyadesam where Vishnu is blessing as Karunakara Perumal in his Standing Posture facing South under Ramya Vimanam with his Left Leg folded and the Right Leg down. Thayar is being worshipped as Padmamani Thayar. Once the Sage named Kaaraha Maharishi underwent a penance and obtained the great powers from Vishnu here. Hence the temple is being worshipped so that to honour him and to mark the event, as Kaarvaanam. There is no clear information about the Utsavar and the actual temple location.

Moolavar & Thaayar:

The Moolavar of this Sthalam is Karunakara Perumal. He is found in standing position facing his thirumugham towards South direction. He gave prathyaksham for Kaasha Maharishi. 

Thaayar: 

·        Padmamani Naachiyaar / Ramamani Nachiyaar

Mangalasasanam:

·        Thirumangai Alwar - 1 Paasuram

Pushkarani:

·        Akraaya Theertham.

Vimanam:

·        Vaamana Vimanam / Ramya Vimanam

Since Vimanam is so pleasant (Ramyam) the Thaayar is known as "Ramamani Thayaar". 

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 6:00 AM till 12 noon and from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm

Literary Mention

Neeragam, Kaarakam and Kaarvaanam Temples are currently found within the Ooragam Divya Desam temple complex, North of Kanchipuram bus stand. All these three temples have been praised by Thirumangai Azhvaar in a single Paasuram along with Thiru Ooragam. There are no specific stories relating to any of these temples. However, a close reading of the Paasuram throws open a few questions.

Thirumangai Azhvaar in his Periya Thirumozhi verse:

நீரகத்தை........நிலாத்திங்கள் துண்டத்தாய் நிறைந்த
 கச்சி ஊரகத்தை .....நீர் வேக்கவுல்லாய்
காரகத்தை கார்வன்னதுல்லை கலவா
பேரகத்தாய் ......பெருமாநுண் திருவடியே பற்றினேனே  

Thirumangai specifically refers to Ooragam Divya Desam as ‘Kachi Ooragathaai’ confirming the presence of Ulagalantha Perumal in Kanchipuram. However, when referring to Neeragam, Kaaragam and Kaarvaanam in the same Paasuram, Thirumangai does not bring the Kanchi connect, throwing open the question as to whether these three Divya Desams were originally outside Kanchi and were then brought into this temple complex much later, after Thirumangai’s time.

Thirumangai Azhvaar’s devotion and attachment to the Lord stands out. This can be seen in the way he connects Lords from different Divya Desams in a single Paasuram. Even as he is praising one Lord, belonging to one Divya Desam, his thoughts seem to be immediately moving to and connecting with Lords belonging to other Divya Desams, which he had already seen.

This particular Paasuram is a perfect example of the beautiful way Thirumangai connects different Divya Desams. Starting with Neeragam, he moves to Nilaa Thingal and then to Ooragam and then brings in Kaaragam and Kaarvaanam as well. 

Connectivity

Ulagalantha perumal temple is located in Kanchipuram. The temple is very close to Sri Kamatchiamman temple and very near to Kanchipuram bus stand. The temple is on the way to Sri Kamakshi Amman temple from Kancheepuram bus stand. 

By Road:

The city of Kanchipuram is well connected with the other part of the states and it is few kms from the Quadrilateral National Highway. There are frequent bus services from Chennai and it takes 2- 3 hours to reach. The Chennai Metropolitan and the state express transport operate the services.

By Train:

Kanchipuram is connected with the southern part of the rail network and few trains are running through Kanchipuram. Suburban trains are running between Kanchipuram and Chennai beach on specified intervals.

By Air:

Chennai, the nearest international airport, is situated around 75 km away from Kanchipuram. Both public and private transport facilities are available at the airport.