Vaikunda Ekadasi Uthsavam was celebrated grandly at Sri Ulgalantha Perumal Divya Desams in Kanchipuram on the 24 th of December 2012. Sri Aaranavalli Thayar Sametha Sri Ulagalantha Perumal blessed the devotees and some of the photos taken during the occasion can be viewed below
Photo Courtesy : Sri TV Venkata Krishnan Swamy and Sri Kesava Bashyam Swami
The 8th in this series on Divya Desams in Kanchipuram, 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.
This unique posture of the Lord is detailed below in this story that relates to Lord Vishnu’s Vaamana Avataaram.
Lord Vishnu who took the Narasimha Avataaram to kill Hiranyakashipu, the father of Prahalada then took the Vaamana Avataaram, the first avataaram of Lord Vishnu as a human being, to subdue the demon king MahaBali, the grandson of Prahalada, and to restore Indra’s power back to him.
The story
King Bali had conquered almost the entire world and had gained such power that he seemed irresistible. Indra looked up to Lord Vishnu to protect him from Bali and his fast expansion.
Disguising himself as a dwarf Brahmin, Lord Vishnu attends a Yaagam undertaken by king Bali. Pleased with his presence, Bali greeted the Brahmain and asked him what he could give from his huge empire.
Brahmin that he was and contended with what he had, the dwarf asked Bali for just 3 feet of land. Bali’s Guru, the knowledgeable and shrewd Sukraachaarya, who knew the intention behind the Brahmin’s visit, advised the King against giving him the 3 feet of land.
MahaBali, who was a great devotee of Vishnu, was also known for his upkeep of Dharma. Having asked the Brahmin what he wanted and having promised him to give whatever he wanted, MahaBali would not go back on his word, even if something negative were to happen to him. And hence he readily agreed to part with the 3 feet of land.
The Vaamana measured the entire earth and sky with one step and the heaven with his 2nd step. And having covered the entire universe with just 2 steps, there was no place left for the third step.
The 3rd Step of Vaamana and the end of King Bali
When asked where he could place his 3rd step, King Bali asked the Lord to place it on him. And with this, Lord Vishnu placed his foot on King Bali’s head sending him into the nether world, thus marking bringing to end the purpose of his Avataaram.
Thiruvikrama Darshan to Bali
Bali, who was thus crushed, wanted to see the full form of the Lord who measured the entire world. Answering his prayers, Lord is said to have appeared before Bali at this place as Ulagalana Perumal (the one who measured the entire universe).
Another Darshan in a smaller form
Having been reduced to a normal human being in the nether world, Bali was not able to see the full manifestation of Lord Vishnu in this gigantic form. Hence, it is believed that the Lord appeared once again before Bali in a smaller form at this place as the serpent lord Aadiseshan.
As Uragam signifies Snake and Lord Vishnu gave darshan once again to Bali as the Serpent Lord, this place came to be called Ooragam and the Lord came to be known as Ooragathaan.
It is believed that this Lord fulfils the prayers of unwedded girls and childless couples.
A description of Thiruvikrama
Over 30 feet in height
Left leg is seen lifted at a right angle(to the body), parallel to the ground.
Right leg is seen placed on Mahabali’s head
2 fingers on his left hand stretched out referring to the two steps he took to measure this world
1 stretched finger on his right hand indicates the question the Lord posed to MahaBali as to where he could place his 3rd step
The gigantic Ulagalantha Perumal is special to Kanchipuram and a Lord of this size, and in this form, cannot be seen in any other Divya Desam.
Azhvaar
Thirumangai and Thirumazhisai Azhvaar have praised the Ulagalanda Perumal. Thirumangai Azhvaar has referred to all four Divya Desams in this temple complex in a single Paasuram.
Quick Facts
Deity :ThiruVikraman, Ulagalantha Perumal Standing Posture West Facing
Goddess : AmuthaValli
Azhvaar : Thirumazhisai 2( 814,815), ThirumangaiAzhvaar4 (2059,2064,2673 and 2674)
Timing : 7am-12noon and 4pm-8pm
Contact : Vijayaraghavan Bhattar
Address : Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram 631 502
Tel : Raghu, Temple Office @ 94425 53820
Festival : Onam Festival.
Navarthri, Kaarthigai, Vaikunta Ekadesi, Brahmotsavam in Jan-Feb Panguni Utsavam
