Ulagalantha Perumal Temple stands in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, honours Ulagalantha Perumal, giant Trivikrama form of Vishnu, with consort Amuthavalli. It is also known as Trivikrama Temple, Ulagalandha Perumal Koil.
This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu temples glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham composed by the Alvar poet-saints, with verses here by Thirumangai Alvar and Thirumazhisai Alvar. Its most distinctive feature is that, due to historical amalgamation of shrines, this single physical temple is understood to represent four separate numbered entries in the classical 108 Divya Desams list: Thiruooragam (the central sanctum shrine), Thirukkaragam, Thirukkarvaanam and Thiruneeragam. These were originally four independent temples that were consolidated into one complex over time, and Thirumangai Alvar praised all four in a single verse. This makes Ulagalantha Perumal Temple the only Divya Desam complex counted as housing four separate Divya Desam names. Historian R.
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
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Evening | 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
Sources vary slightly on the exact opening time (6 AM to 7 AM); confirm with the temple before visiting, especially around festivals.
Poojas and daily rituals
Six daily rituals are performed: Ushathkalam (7 AM), Kalasanthi (8 AM), Uchikalam (12 PM), Sayarakshai (6 PM), Irandamkalam (7 PM) and Ardha Jamam (10 PM)
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 Thai (January to February) | Annual festival period for the temple |
| Vamana Jayanthi | Tamil month Avani (August to September), on Sravanam star | Commemorates the birth of the Vamana avatar central to the temple's legend |
| Chariot Festival (Ther) | Tamil month Chittirai (March to April) | The most prominent festival at the temple, when the deity is taken out in a temple chariot |
History and architecture
Architecture
Dravidian style spanning about 60,000 sq ft, with a three tiered rajagopuram topped by seven kalasas; the sanctum has an elevated vimana to accommodate the presiding image, over 35 ft tall, shown with one leg raised at a right angle to the body
History
Historian R. Nagaswamy has called this the oldest temple in Kanchipuram. The shrine commemorates Vishnu's Vamana avatar, who took the form of a short Brahmin and asked King Mahabali for three paces of land, then grew into the cosmic Trivikrama and covered heaven, earth and, with the third step placed on Mahabali's own head, the netherworld. The 13th century Tirukkural commentator Parimelalhagar is said to have belonged to the lineage of priests here.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located in Kanchipuram town near the Kamakshi Amman Temple; Kanchipuram is well connected by road and rail from Chennai (roughly 70 to 75 km away)
Where this information comes from
Confidence: High. Confidence level as originally recorded for this entry; no further explanatory note was written at the time