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Home > Bharatavarsha > Pilgrimages and Temples > Tamil Nadu > Kanchi Kshetra (Kanchipuram) - Moksha Puri, Kanchi Shakti Peetha, Pancha Bhoota Sthalam and Divya Desams

Kanchi Kshetra (Kanchipuram) - Moksha Puri, Kanchi Shakti Peetha, Pancha Bhoota Sthalam and Divya Desams

► Kamakshi: I meditate on Devi Kamakshi abiding in Kanchipuram as the Kanchi Shakti Peetha.
► Kamakshi: I meditate on Devi Kamakshi performing penance in Kanchipuram and getting united with Lord Shiva.
► Shiva: I meditate on Lord Ekambareshwarar abiding in Kanchipuram as Thirukachi Ekambam Paadal Petra Sthalam.
► Vishnu: I meditate on Lord Varadaraja abiding in Kanchipuram as Thirukachi Athigiri Divya Desam.
► Brahma: I meditate on Lord Brahma performing penance in Kanchipuram in Satya Yuga and getting the darshan of Lord Vishnu in resplendant form (Lord Varadaraja).
► Murugan: I meditate on Sri Murugan abiding in Kanchipuram in Kumara Kottam.

• Sloka: Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka (Kanchipuram is a Mokshapuri)
• Stotra: Shakti Peetha Stotram (Kanchipuram has the Kanchi Shakti Peetha where the Kankala of Devi had fallen)
• Stotra: Kamakshi Stotram (Devi Kamakshi is the presiding Goddess of Kanchipuram)
(Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu)



• Kanchipuram is a Moksha Puri (Bestower of Liberation) [Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika, Dwaravati]

• Kanchipuram is primarily a Devi Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Devi):
- Devi abides in Kanchipuram as a Shakti Peetha (Seat of Shakti) [Kanchi Shakti Peetha] (Devi Kamakshi) (Devi Adi Kamakshi).

- Devi Kamakshi performed penance in Kanchipuram and got united with Lord Shiva.

• Kanchipuram is also a Shiva Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Shiva):
- Lord Shiva abides here as Lord Ekambareshwara where Devi Parvati (Kamakshi) performed penance.

- Kanchipuram is a Pancha Bhoota Sthalam (Place representing a prime Element of Nature) [Kanchipuram (Prithivi), Thiruvanaikaval (Jala), Thiruvannamalai (Agni), Srikalahasti (Vayu), Chidambaram (Akasha)] representing the element of Prithivi (Earth)
- Kanchipuram is a Paadal Petra Sthalam (Glorified by Nayanmars) [Thirukachi Ekambam] (Lord Ekambareshwara)

• Kanchipuram is also a Vishnu Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Vishnu):
- Lord Vishnu abides here as Lord Varadaraja whom Lord Brahma performed penance in Satya Yuga, Gajendra in Treta Yuga, Brihaspati in Dwapara Yuga and Adisesha in Kali Yuga.

- Kanchipuram has several Divya Desam (Glorified by Alvars) like [Thirukachi Athigiri Divya Desam] (Lord Varadaraja) and others.

• Kanchipuram is also a Skanda Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Skanda):
- Sri Murugan (Skanda) corrected the manuscripts of Kanda Puranam (written by Kachiappa Sivachariyar) within the Kumarakottam Temple.

• Kanchipuram is also a Sant Sthalam (Place of Saints):
- Sri Adi Shankaracharya (788 - 820 CE?) is said to have stayed here and has a Mutt in Kanchipuram. (Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt)






1. Presence of Devi in Kanchipuram: (Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
• Shakti Peetha: Kanchi Kamakshi is identified with the Kanchi Shakti Peetha. Where the Kankaala (Skeleton) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Devagarbha and the Bhairava is called Ruru.

2. Presence of Devi in Kanchipuram: (Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya)
• Devi Kamakshi performing penance: Devi Kamakshi performed penance in Kanchipuram and got united with Lord Shiva.

3. Presence of Lord Shiva in Kanchipuram: (Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya)
• Devi Kamakshi performing penance: Devi Kamakshi performed penance in Kanchipuram and got united with Lord Shiva.

4. Presence of Lord Vishnu in Kanchipuram:
• Lord Brahma performed penance in Kanchipuram in Satya Yuga and got the darshan of Lord Vishnu in resplendant form (Lord Varadaraja).



• Devi:
- Devi Kamakshi
- Devi Adi Kamakshi

• Shiva:
- Lord Ekambareshwara

• Vishnu:
- Lord Varadaraja

Divya Desams of Kanchipuram:
1. Varadaraja Perumal
2. Ashtabhuja Perumal
3. Deepaprakasha Perumal
4. Azhagiya Singar Perumal
5. Jagadeeshwara Perumal
6. Pandavadoota Perumal
7. Nilathingal Thundatha Perumal
8. Ulagalanda Perumal
9. Yathokthakari Perumal
10. Karunakara Perumal
11. Kalva Perumal
12. Adivaraha Perumal
13. Pavalavanna Perumal
14. Vaikunthanatha Perumal
15. Vijayaraghava Perumal

• Murugan:
- Sri Subramanya

Presence of Devi in Kanchipuram:
• Kanchi Shakti Peetha: The Kankaala (Skeleton) of Devi had fallen here. The Devi is known as Devagarbha and the Bhairava is called Ruru. (Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
► Kanchipuram - Devi Adi Kamakshi Temple (Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu) Kanchipuram Devi Adi Kamakshi Temple is identified with the Kanchi Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
► Kanchipuram - Devi Kamakshi Temple (Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu) Kanchipuram Devi Kamakshi Temple is identified with the Kanchi Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra.
• Penance of Devi Parvati: Devi Parvati performed penance in Kanchipuram under a Mango Tree and got united with Lord Shiva. She became known as Kamakshi since she is the fulfiller of desires of her devotees. (Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya - 3 to 4)
► Ekambareshwarar Temple Mango Tree The place of penance of Devi Parvati at Kanchipuram is identified with the Ekambareswarar Temple. There is a Mango Tree within the temple premises identified with the place where Devi performed her penance.

Presence of Lord Shiva in Kanchipuram:
• Penance of Devi Parvati: Devi Parvati performed penance in Kanchipuram under a Mango Tree and got united with Lord Shiva. She became known as Kamakshi since she is the fulfiller of desires of her devotees. (Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya - 3 to 4)
► Kanchipuram - Ekambareshwarar Temple (Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu) The Ekambareshwarar Temple of Kanchipuram is a famous temple of Lord Shiva. Kanchipuram is a Pancha Bhoota Sthalam associated with the element of Prithivi (Earth). Devi Parvati performed penance here worshipping a Prithivi Lingam. The place of penance is identified as a Mango Tree within the Ekambareshwarar Temple. Ekambareshwarar Temple is also a Paadal Petra Sthalam (Thirukachi Ekambam) whose glory was sung by the Nayanmars.

Presence of Sri Murugan in Kanchipuram:

► Kumarakottam Temple Sri Murugan is said to have corrected the manuscripts of Kanda Puranam (composed by Kachiappa Sivachariyar) within the Kumarakottam Temple. Every night Kachiappa Sivachariyar would submit the manuscripts to Sri Murugan within the garbhagriha of the temple. Lord Murugan would make the required corrections. Also, according to legend, when Sri Murugan imprisoned Lord Brahma for failing to expound the Pranava Mantra, Murugan himself assumed the form of creator. In this temple, Sri Murugan is in the form of creator.

Presence of Lord Vishnu in Kanchipuram:
► DD-43: Thirukachi Athigiri Divya Desam (Varadaraja Perumal) The Varadaraja Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thirukachi Athigiri). Lord Brahma performed penance here in Satya Yuga and got the darshan of the Lord Vishnu in his resplendent form. Gajendra worshipped the Lord here in Treta Yuga. So the hill is also known as Hastigiri or Gajendragiri. Brihaspati worshipping the Lord here in Dvapara Yuga. Adisesha worshipped the Lord here in Kali Yuga. Sri Ramanuja discussed the principles of Vaishnavism with Thirukachi Nambiar and requested him to verify them while conversing with the Lord. During this conversation, Lord Varadaraja revealed six famous sayings to Ramanuja which forms the tenets of Vaishnavism. Goddess Perundevi Thayar showered gold coins when Sri Vedanta Desika recited the Sri Stuti. Vara means Boon, Da means giver and Raja means King. This is the form of the Lord as the giver of boons. There are many other incidents of boon-giving associated with Sri Varadaraja Perumal.
► DD-44: Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram Divya Desam (Ashtabhuja Perumal) The Ashtabhuja Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thiru Ashtabhuyakaram). Lord Brahma performed a yagna worshipping Lord Vishnu. Due to a controversy with Lord Brahma, goddess Saraswati started creating impediments in the yagna. Goddess Saraswati sent several demons, but Lord Vishnu protected the yagna by killing all the demons. Finally goddess Saraswati sent Sarabha, a ferocious beast to hinder the yagna. Lord Vishnu then assumed a form with eight arms holding various weapons. In this Ashtabhuja form, the Lord vanquished Sarabha and protected the yagna of Brahma. Elephant Gajendra worshipped the Lord with flowers in this place. The Lord protected him from the clutches of a crocodile.
► DD-45: Thiruthanka Divya Desam (Deepaprakasha Perumal) The Deepaprakasha Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thiruthanka). Lord Brahma performed a yagna worshipping Lord Vishnu. Due to a controversy with Lord Brahma, goddess Saraswati started creating impediments in the yagna. Goddess Saraswati enveloped the place with darkness. Lord Vishnu appeared as a great Light and dispelled the darkness. Hence the Lord is known as Deepaprakasha.
► DD-47: Thiruneeragam Divya Desam (Jagadeeshwara Perumal) The Jagadeeshwara Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thiruneeragam) located within the Ulagalanda Perumal Temple. Sage Markandeya performed penance on the bank of a river wishing to see the scene of the great deluge (pralaya). The Lord created the scene of deluge out of his power of Maya and showed it to sage Markandeya. The Lord himself took the form of a small child lying on a banyan leaf in the midst of the water of deluge.
► DD-49: Thirunilathingal Thundam Divya Desam (Nilathingal Thundatha Perumal) The Nilathingal Thundatha Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thirunilathingal Thundam) located with the Kanchi Ekambareshwarar Temple. Nila means Moon. The meaning of the name Thirunilathingal Thundam is derived from the association of the Lord with the Moon, where the Lord is comforted by the cool rays of the Moon. During the Samudra Manthana (churning of the ocean) by the Devas and Daityas (which was presided by the Lord), the first thing to emerge was the devastating halahala poison. According to one legend, it is said that the cool rays of the Moon gave comfort to the Lord during that time (hence the word Nila signifying Moon got associated with the name of the Lord). Another legend is associated with the penance of Devi Parvati in Kanchipuram. To test Devi Parvati, Lord Shiva sent the waters of river Ganges from his matted hairs to wash off the penance site. Lord Vishnu then assumed a Vishwaroopa form and protected the penance from the flood waters. The Lord told the Devi to embrace the Lingam and protect it from getting dissolved. Lord Shiva became pleased. When Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Vishwaroopa, the rays of the Moon is said to have fallen directly on his throat due to which he is called Nilathingal Thundathan.
► DD-51: Thiruvehka Divya Desam (Yathokthakari / Sonnavannam Seida Perumal) The Yathokthakari Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thiruvehka). Lord Brahma performed a yagna worshipping Lord Vishnu. Due to a controversy with Lord Brahma, goddess Saraswati started creating impediments in the yagna. The goddess took the form of river Vegavati and wanted to wash away the yagna site. To protect the yagna of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu took the form of Bhujagasayana (reclining form on a bed of serpents) resting his head on his right hand, and lay on the path of river Vegavati. The goddess withdrew her river form and went underground. The Lord followed devotee Bhakthisarar and left Kanchipuram when the king humiliated a devotee of the Lord. Hence the Lord became known as Yathokthakari.
► DD-52: Thirukaragam Divya Desam (Karunakara Perumal) The Karunakara Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thirukaragam) located within the Ulagalanda Perumal Temple. The Lord gave darshan to sage Niketana in this Divya Desam.
► DD-53: Thirukarvanam Divya Desam (Kalva Perumal) The Kalva Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thirukarvanam) located within the Ulagalanda Perumal Temple. The Lord gave darshan to Devi Parvati (Gauri) in this Divya Desam.
► DD-54: Thirukalvanur Divya Desam (Adivaraha Perumal) The Adivaraha Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thirukalvanur) located within the Kanchi Kamakshi Temple. During the samudra manthana (churning of the milky ocean), the halahala poison darkened the hue of Lord Vishnu who was present there as Kurma Avatara bearing the Mandara mountain on his back. As destined by Leela, Devi Lakshmi slighted the Lord for his dark hue (perhaps jokingly); and in turn the Lord cursed the goddess to lose her beauty. Devi Lakshmi prayed to Devi Kamakshi of Kanchipuram. Devi Kamakshi told her to stay at the Gayatri mandapam of the temple; where in due course her beauty will be regained when the devotees offer kumkuma to her from the Kamakshi shrine (and in return she blesses the devotees). Devi Lakshmi thus regained her beauty in course of time. When Devi Lakshmi left for Kanchipuram, Lord Vishnu started searching for Devi her and secretly came to the Gayatri mandapam of the Kamakshi temple. The goddess recognised him and lovingly called him as Kalva (meaning thief). The name of the Divya Desam is thus called Thirukalvanur.
► DD-55: Thirupavalavannam Divya Desam (Pavalavanna Perumal) The Pavalavanna Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thirupavalavannam). Once in Naimisharanya, sage Narada suggested the sages to offer their fruits of sacrifice to the greatest among the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva). Sage Bhrigu was deputed to determine this. Sage Bhrigu first visited the Satya Loka, but saw that Lord Brahma was busy with Devi Saraswati and did not take notice of him. He cursed Brahma that he would not be worshipped in any temple on Earth. Then he proceeded to Kailasha and found that Shiva also was busy with Devi Parvati and failed to take notice of him. He cursed Shiva that he would only be worshipped in the form of a Linga. Finally he went to Vaikuntha and saw that Lord Vishnu was in Yoga Nidra. In anger sage Bhrigu kicked the chest of the Lord. The Lord woke up and instead of getting angry humbly received the sage and massaged his foot. Sage Bhrigu declared that Vishnu was the greatest among the Trinity. However due to the sin of kicking the Lord he went to Kanchipuram and undertook a penance. Lord Vishnu appeared before him as Pavalavannan.
► DD-56: Thiruparameshwara Vinnagaram Divya Desam (Vaikunthanatha Perumal) The Vaikunthanatha Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thiruparameshwara Vinnagaram). King Virosana of Vidarbha had no sons who could be the heir of his kingdom. So the king worshipped Lord Kailashanatha of Kanchipuram and prayed to him. By the divine grace the dwarapalakas of Lord Vishnu, Pallavan and Villavan, were born as his sons. Pallavan and Villavan performed a yagna worshipping Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu gave them darshan in this place.

Presence of Lord Narasimha in Kanchipuram:

► DD-46: Thiruvelukkai Divya Desam (Azhagiya Singar Perumal) The Azhagiya Singar Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thiruvelukkai). Lord Brahma performed a yagna worshipping Lord Vishnu. Due to a controversy with Lord Brahma, goddess Saraswati started creating impediments in the yagna. Goddess Saraswati sent a Kapalika to destroy the yagna. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Narasimha (Azhagiya Singar) and vanquished the Kapalika.

Presence of Lord Vamana in Kanchipuram:

► DD-50: Thiru Ooragam Divya Desam (Ulagalanda Perumal) The Ulagalanda Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thiru Ooragam). During the Vamana Avatara of Lord Vishnu, the Lord came to the yagna of king Mahabali in the form of a Brahmin dwarf. Asking for a boon of three steps of land from the king, the Lord with two steps covered the Heaven and the Earth. On the request of king Bali, the Lord placed the third step on the head of the king. Subsequently, the Lord gave a boon to king Mahabali, sent him to Patalaloka and restored the heaven to Indra. Since king Mahabali was not able to see his huge form, the Lord assumed the diminutive form of Adisesha. Hence the Divya Desam is known as Thiru Ooragam, Ooragam meaning snake. The two shrines, Peragam (huge form of Ulagalanda Perumal) and Ooragam (diminutive form of Adisesha) are considered together as part of the same Divya Desam.

Presence of Sri Rama in Kanchipuram:

► DD-57: Thiruputkuzhi Divya Desam (Vijayaraghava Perumal) The Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thiruputkuzhi). The episode of Jatayu is given in the Ramayana. Jatayu served Sri Rama by guarding Devi Sita when she was staying at Panchavati. Ravana came in the guise of a mendicant and abducted Devi Sita from Panchavati. When he was taking her to Lanka on the Pushpaka Vimana, Jatayu came to fight with Ravana. After giving a herioc resistance, Jatayu was wounded and fell down on the earth. When Sri Rama was searching for Devi Sita, he came to Jatayu. Jatayu told him about the whole episode and passed away. With grief and gratefulness, and like one's own relative, Sri Rama performed the last rites of Jatayu and gave him moksha. According to the legend of this temple, this incident took place here. It is said that with the end of his bow, Sri Rama created a tank and took bath in its holy water before performing the funeral rites.

Presence of Sri Krishna in Kanchipuram:

► DD-48: Thirupadagam Divya Desam (Pandavadoota Perumal) The Pandavadoota Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram is a Divya Desam (Thirupadagam). The name Thirupadagam is derived from Thiru, Pada and Agam in Tamil which means Divine (Thiru) Huge (Pada) Place of stay (Agam). This represents the Vishwaroopa form which the Lord assumed as the emissary of the Pandavas in the court of Duryodhana. The Huge Place of Stay signifies his huge form which could not be captured by the small power of Duryodhana. The name Pandavadoota is derives from Pandava (the five Pandavas) and Doota (Messenger). This is the form which the Lord assumed as the messenger of the Pandavas. Sage Hareeta and king Janamejaya (grandson of Arjuna) performed penance at Thirupadagam to get the vision of the Lord as Pandavadoota. Sri Krishna granted their prayers and showed him that form here.

• Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 34 (About Kanchi Shakti Peetha)
• Skanda Purana - Arunachala Mahatmya - 3 to 4 (About penance of Devi Parvati in Kanchipuram)



• Kanchipuram is located in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu.

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Last updated on Oct-2025

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