Gajendra Varadar Perumal Koil
Moolavar : Gajendra Varadhan
Thaayaar : PotraamaraiyaaL
Uthsavar : Aatrangkarai KaNNan
Uthsavar Thaayaar : RamaamaNivaLLi, ShenbagavaLLi Naachiyaar
Sthala Vriksham : Parijatham
Pushkarini : Gajendra Theertham
Vimaanam : Gnanakruthi Vimaanam
Perumal ThirukkOlam : Shayana ThirukkOlam
MangaLaasaasanam : Thirumazhisai Aazhwar
This Chozha Naadu Divya Desam which is located around 10 kms from Kumbakonam on the Thiruvaiyaaru road is also known as one of the Pancha KrishnaaraNya kshetrams.
King Indradhyumna who was an ardent devotee of Lord Narayana was once so engrossed in the Lord’s worship that he did not notice sage Durvasa who had come to meet him. Enraged the sage cursed the king to be born as an elephant in his next birth. Afraid that he would not be able to worship the Lord in the form of an elephant, the king pleaded for the sage’s forgiveness. Pleased with his sincere devotion, the sage blessed the king with the boon that even as an elephant the king would be the Lord’s greatest devotee.
Reborn as Gajendra, the wild elephant, the king continued to worship the Lord. One morning as was his routine, the elephant king waded into the waters of this temple tank to bathe and pluck lotuses for the Lord. Suddenly, he felt his leg being caught and dragged into the water. Try as he might, he could not free himself from the vice-like grip of the crocodile. In desperation, he cried out to the Lord “Adhimoolame”(The beginning and the root of everything). Lord Mahavishnu instantly appeared to save his devotee and used his Sudarshana Chakram to destroy the crocodile. This redeemed the king from sage Durvasa’s curse. The Lord is said to have given darsanam to Gajendra as Kannan (Krishna). Hence, the Lord is also known as Aatrangkarai Kidakkum Kannan – Krishna who reclines near the river bank.
It is said that this is the place where the Lord appeared before Anjaneya(Hanuman) in the form of Sri Rama. The word ‘Kabi’ means ‘monkey’ and hence this holy place is known as Kabisthalam.
Uthsavams :
Gajendra Moksham Leela celebrated in the month of Aadi (July/August)
10-day Vaikasi Visaakam chariot festival in the month of Vaikasi(May/June)
Vaikuntha Ekadasi in the month of Maargazhi (December/January)
Sri Rama Navami in the month of Chithirai(March/April)
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