TIRU KANCHI                                                                  KANCHEEPURAM

Perumal - VARADARAJA (DEVARAJA) Thayar - PERUNDEVI (MAHADEVI)
Theertham - Vegavathi, Ananthasaras, Vimanam - Punyakoti
Location - KANCHEEPURAM, Alwars - Tirumangai Alwar, Budat Alwar & Pogai Alwar

Importance - Varadaraja Perumal temple is known as Hastigiri; it was originally known as Attiyuran. Name Hastigiri comes from Gajendra moksham and Indras elephant Airavatam - in the form of a hill bears the image of Vishnu here. The original image of Varadaraja Perumaal here was made from Attimaram (Atti tree). This ancient wooden image is worshipped for 10 days, once in 40 years, hence the name ATTIYUR. Brahma worshipped Vishnu in Krita yugam, Gajendra in Treta Yugam, Bhrihaspati in Dwapara Yugam & Adisesha in Kaliyugam. The legend of Vishnu lying across the river in spate, to prevent a deluge from wiping out Brahma's sacrifice also holds in this temple as Divyadesam Tiruvegkaa in Kanchi.

ASTABHUYAKARAM

Perumal - ADI KESAVA (ASTABHUJA) , Thayar - Alarmel Mangai
Theertham - Gajendra Pushkarini ,Vimanam - Gaganakriti, Chakrakriti
Location - Kancheepuram , Alwars - Tirumangai alwar, Peyalwar

Importance - This temple is associated with Gajendra Moksham. Gajendra a devout elephant was making an offering of lotus flowers from the Ashtabhuja temple tank to Vishnu every day. He was caught by the grip of a crocodile. The prayers of the elephant were answered by Vishnu who vanquished the elephant with his disc. Peyalwar was blessed with a vision of Gajendramoksham at this shrine. Also a vast army of titans sought to upset a ritual being conducted by Bhrahma. Vishnu with eight different weapons (Astabhuja) protected Brahma and the ritual from intruders.