Gajendra Varadha Temple

rdf:langString Gajendra Varadha Temple

rdf:langString Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple

rdf:langString Gajendra, Kapila

rdf:langString Gajanakriti

rdf:langString Location in Tamil Nadu

rdf:langString India Tamil Nadu

rdf:langString Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple in Thirukkavithalam, a village in the outskirts of Papanasam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Maha Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Gajendra Varadha and his consort Lakshmi as Ramamanivalli. The temple is one of the five Pancha-Kannan temples, where Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu is given prominence over the presiding deity. The temple is believed to have been built by the Medieval Cholas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines and its bodies of water. Gajendra Varadha is believed to have appeared to Gajendra the elephant also called Indrajumnan, the crocodile called Koohoo, Sage Parasara and Sri Anjaneya. Six daily rituals and four yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Gajendra Moksha Leela, celebrated during the Tamil month of Aadi (July–August), is the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

rdf:langString Gajendra Varadhar Loganayaki