Sri Vilakkoli Perumal ( Sri Deepa Prakasar ). Tiruthanka, Thoopul, Vishnu Kanchi, Kanchipuram District Tamil Nadu. - 108 - DIVYA DESAM.

Continuation to the previous post……

07^th August 2016.

Tiruththanka or Thoopul is the birthplace of Sri Vedantha Desikar one of the ardent devotees of Vishnu, whose Sannadhi is at the side of the Vilakkoli Perumal temple. Also, this is the birthplace of Appaya Dikshitar one of the Shiva devotees. The Thoopul otherwise called dharbai grass was cultivated here and used for Homam and Yagam. Thoopul means pure grass.

Thirumangai Alwar had done the mangalasanam, in praise of Maha Vishnu as Vilakoli Perumal, Deepa Prakasar of Thiruthanka, and Yathothakaari Perumal, Thiruvekka of Kanchipuram.

முளைக்கதிரை குறுங்குடியுள் முகிலை மூவா

        மூவுலகும் கடந்தப்பால் முதலாய் நின்ற

அளப்பரிய ஆரமுதை அரங்கம் மேய

        அந்தணனை அந்தணர்தம் சிந்தையானை

விளக்கொளியை மரகதத்தை திருத்தண்காவில்

        வெஃகாவில் திருமாலைப் பாடக் கேட்டு

வளர்த்தனால் பயன்பெற்றேன் வருக என்று

        மடக்கிளியைக் கைகூப்பி வணங்கினாளே

.... திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் திருநெடுந்தாண்டகம் 14 - (2065)

Moolavar :  Sri Vilakkoli Perumal, Sri Deepa Prakasar

Thayar    :  Sri Maragathavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are …

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram and balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Garudan are after the Rajagopuram. Thayar is in a separate temple under Sikara Vimanam.  In the sanctum Moolavar is with Sridevi and Bhoodevi are in standing posture. In the outer prakaram Alwars, Thayar Sri Maragathavalli and Andal.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and maha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with vedikai. The prastaram consists is of valapi, kapotam with nasikudus. A brick one tala Vimanam with Dravida sigaram is on the prastaram. Maha Vishnu's various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams.  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The sanctum Sanctorum was constructed during the Chozha period and the front mandapam was constructed by the Vijayanagara kings at a later date.

LEGEND: 

The sthala purana is associated with Brahma’s ashwametha yagam. Saraswathi tries to hide the light and send darkness through asuras. Perumal came in the form of Light, hence Perumal is called Vilakoli Perumal or Deepa Prakasar.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple kept open for darshan from 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 18.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

HOW TO REACH :

The temple is in Vishnu Kanchi and about 3/4^th KM from Ashtabuyagaram temple.

Autos are available from the Main bus stand.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE 

……. To be continued

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---