Vaikunta Perumal Temple

Pallava King Nandivarman II built a temple in a distinctive style for lord Vishnu during 674 – 800 AD in Kancheepuram of Tamil Nadu, India. Thereafter, others followed the style.

This temple has three vertically aligned sanctum-sanctorum (garbhagrihas) situated one on top of the other. The ground floor sanctum contains a figure of Vishnu in a seated posture, the one on the first floor preserves the recumbent image of Lord Vishnu and on the topmost floor, is a standing form of this deity. There are circumambulatory passages (pradakshina patha) in all the three sanctums. Two flights of steps leading from the ground floor to the first storey are also available in the temple. One of them is for ascending and the other is for descending. These were constructed in such a way that they are not visible from the outside. Sadly, for whatever reason, these days public is allowed only on the ground floor!

 The sculptures of various incarnations of Lord Vishnu can be seen in this temple. Unfortunately most of them are now damaged and disintegrated but still they exhibit remarkable workmanship and showcase the matchless skill of the Pallava sculptor. The external cloisters with their lion pillars are predecessors of the grand thousand pillared halls of later temples.

The temple also contains a series of historical sculptures on the inner walls of the verandah running around the four sides of this temple. Unique to this temple are Several historical sculptures which cannot be found in any other temples of India. They depict the history of the entire Pallava dynasty up to the reign of Nandivarman Pallavamalla, the builder of this temple.

The sand stone structure’s architecture is a fine example of the Dravidian period and an improvement on that of the shore temple at Mahabalipuram which was built during the 7th century.

 

You want to visit this temple?
 

Well the nearest City is Chennai (Madras) about 80 KMs from Kancheepuram. You can drive down to Kancheepuram as the road is very good and it will take about 2 hrs. Alternatively, you can take an airconditioned bus from T Nagar, Chennai. Every half an hour there is a bus to Kancheepuram from T Nagar, Chennai.

Please remember all the temples are open from 6AM to 12.30 PM only and they are closed till 4 PM during which time you can do nothing in Kancheepuram!


 

Cover Page of "The Vaikunta Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram"
by D Dennis Hudson