In Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, Deepaprakasa Perumal Temple is dedicated to Deepaprakasa Perumal (also called Vilakoli Perumal), a standing form of Vishnu, with consort Maragadhavalli. It is also known as Thiruthanka Temple, Thoopul Temple, Vilakoli Perumal Temple.
Deepaprakasa Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred Vishnu shrines glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet saints, with Thirumangai Alvar credited with hymns on this shrine. Its association with the birth of Vedanta Desika gives it particular importance within the Sri Vaishnava Vadakalai tradition. According to temple legend, Brahma set out to perform a yajna here but neglected his consort Saraswathi, who cursed him so that no light would remain for the ritual.
Tamil Nadu carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Land of towering gopurams and living Dravidian temple traditions, from the Chola masterpieces to the great Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Darshan hours and daily worship
Published sources do not give a single clean daily window for this temple; see the notes below for what is documented.
Secondary sources describe six daily puja rituals conducted at the temple, generally spanning roughly 7 AM to 10 PM, but exact public darshan opening and closing hours could not be confirmed from an official or HR&CE source.
Poojas and daily rituals
Six daily puja rituals are performed, per general secondary sources, though the individual names and precise schedule are not confirmed from an authoritative source.
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmotsavam | Tamil month of Puratasi, September to October | The major annual festival at the temple, reported by secondary sources. |
History and architecture
Architecture
Built in Dravidian style on a rectangular plan with two precincts enclosed by a boundary wall, and a three tiered rajagopuram. The sanctum houses Deepaprakasa Perumal, and the complex includes separate shrines for Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Lakshmi Hayagreevar, Andal, Vedanta Desika, and the Alvars. The temple tank is called Saraswathi Theertham.
History
According to temple legend, Brahma set out to perform a yajna here but neglected his consort Saraswathi, who cursed him so that no light would remain for the ritual. Vishnu appeared as a form of divine light, Deepaprakasa, to restore illumination and allow the yajna to proceed, which gives the deity his name. The site is also revered as the birthplace of the Sri Vaishnava philosopher saint Vedanta Desika (circa 1268 to 1369 CE), and a separate sannadhi for him within the temple is said to have been built by his son, Nayina Varadachariyar.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located in the Thiruthanka (Thoopul) area of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, about 0.5 km from the Ashtabhujakaram (Ashtabhujam) Temple. Reported to be roughly 1.8 km from Kanchipuram Bus Station and about 3.4 km from Kanchipuram Railway Station. A precise street address could not be confirmed from the sources found.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Darshan timings, entry fee, and dress code could not be confirmed from an authoritative source; general history and architecture are corroborated across multiple sources