Divyadesam Sri Ashtabujakara Perumal Temple
திவ்யதேசம் ஸ்ரீ அஷ்டபுஜகரப் பெருமாள் திருக்கோயில்
Ashtbhuja Devi · Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Ancient
About the temple
The 44th Divya Desam of Vishnu; holy site where Lord Vishnu manifested with eight divine weapons (Ashtabhuja) to protect Lord Brahma’s sacred Ashwamedha sacrifice from ferocious beasts sent by Goddess Saraswati; celebrated in 11 pasurams of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Traditional belief: Absolute destruction of fear, invincible defense against enemies, victory in competitive and legal challenges, and freedom from sins.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:30 – 20:00
- Established
- 8
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Ashtbhuja DeviLord RamaHanuman
- Deity form
- Rare and awe-inspiring standing monolithic stone icon of Lord Vishnu with eight arms (Ashtabhuja) holding eight divine weapons: sword, shield, bow, arrow, discus, conch, mace, and lotus
- Religious tradition
- Vedic Pancharatra Agamic Tradition & 108 Divya Desam Heritage
- Sanskrit name
- श्री अष्टभुजकर पेरुमाळ मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Ashtabujakaram Divya Desam, Eight-Armed Vishnu Temple Kanchipuram, Ashtabhuja Swamy Gudi
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:00 PM - 08:30 PM
- Break timings
- 12:00 PM - 04:30 PM
- Special days
- Vaikunta Ekadashi, Chithirai Brahmotsavam, Purattasi: 04:30 AM - 10:30 PM
- Festival timings
- Open till 10:30 PM on Vaikunta Ekadashi and festival days
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 07:30 AM
- Midday aarti
- 11:45 AM
- Evening aarti
- 06:00 PM
- Night aarti
- 07:45 PM
- Special aarti days
- Saturdays, Ekadashi, Purattasi Saturdays, Vaikunta Ekadashi
- Ritual schedule
- Nitya Thiruvaradhana, Thulasi Archana, Sudarshana Ashtabhuja Homam, Sahasranamarchana, Mangala Harathi
- Pooja timings
- 06:30 AM - 11:45 AM, 04:30 PM - 07:45 PM
- Abhishek timings
- Thirumanjanam performed on Saturdays at 07:00 AM
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Pallavas of Kanchi (King Nandivarman II); enhanced by Medieval Cholas (Kulothunga I) and Vijayanagara Kings
- Architect / builder
- Master traditional Tamil stone sculptors
- Construction materials
- Solid dressed dark granite, brick-lime vimana, carved pillars
- Historical events
- Thirumangai Alvar was mesmerized by the eight-armed majesty of the deity and composed the famed "Veyyar Tholvalai" pasuram
- Renovations
- Protected and renovated under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department with new granite stone flooring and perimeter lighting
- Archaeological importance
- Crucial Divya Desam monument containing authentic medieval Chola and Vijayanagara epigraphs
- Legends
- Lord Brahma conducted a yajna without Saraswati; furious, she sent Saraba (a ferocious winged beast) to destroy it; Vishnu manifested with eight arms holding eight weapons to protect the sacrifice
- Inscriptions
- Stone inscriptions in Tamil dating from the 11th to 16th century recording grants of land, gold coins, and perpetual lamps
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 8th Century Pallava foundation with 12th - 16th Century CE expansions
- Structure
- Walled urban temple complex with three-tiered entrance Rajagopuram, pillared navaranga, inner sanctum, and Pushpavalli Thayar shrine
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Three-tiered 45-foot entrance Rajagopuram decorated with stucco figures of Ashtabhuja Vishnu and Garuda legends
- Mandapa
- Pillared Navaranga hall supported by square granite pillars depicting Vaishnava themes and Alwars
- Sculptural features
- Unique monolithic stone idol of Lord Ashtabhuja Perumal holding eight weapons; standing Pushpavalli Thayar; carved stone Garuda and Hanuman
- Artistic elements
- Traditional floral relief work on stone lintels, embossed silver altar frames, and brass lamps
- Construction technique
- Interlocking monolithic granite block masonry of durable Dravidian design
- Unique features
- The rare iconographic representation of Lord Vishnu with eight arms holding eight distinct weapons to defend righteousness
Festivals & events
- Festival calendar
- Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, Chaitra Rathotsava
- Special celebration days
- Every Saturday, Shukla Ekadashi, Purattasi Saturdays
- Cultural events
- Divya Prabandham goshti chanting and devotional singing during festivals
- Annual events
- Ashtabhuja Perumal annual car procession and Vaikunta Ekadashi festival
- Peak crowd season
- October to February and during Vaikunta Ekadashi
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 50+ vehicles
- Parking fees
- Approx. 20-50 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer
- Prasadam
- Vibhuti/Kumkum.