Sri Pandava Dhoodha Perumal temple (A temple for Rohini nakshatra)

Moolavar : Pandava Dhoodha Perumal
Amman / Thayar : Satyabama, Rukmini
Theertham : Matsya theertha
Agamam / Pooja :
Old year: 1000-2000 years old
Historical Name : Tirupadagam
City: Kancheepuram
District: Kanchipuram
State: Tamil Nadu

Singers: The temple is praised in the Mangalasasanam hymns of Boothathazhwar, Peyazhwar, Poigai Azhwar, Tirumazhisal Azhwar, and Tirumangai Azhwar. Says Tirumazhisai Azhwar in his hymn, “I was not born when the Lord took many forms. After being born, I am unable to forget Him, now He is standing, sitting, and reclining in my heart.

Festival: Sri Krishna Jayanthi in August-September, Deepavali in October-November, Mukkotti Ekadasi, Panguni Uthiram in March-April and a festival called Sattrumurai for Arulala Perumal Emperumanar on Karthikai (November-December) Bharani Star day are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Temple's Speciality: It is a rarest of the rare form in this temple that 25 feet tall Lord Krishna graces from the sanctum sanctorum in a sitting form.

General Information: Rohini starers seek association with learned scholars and are majestic in appearance. They are fond of touring. They are religious and follow rituals and love fine arts as music and dance. They are popular. Lord Sri Krishna graces sitting under the Badra Vimana (tower above the sanctum).

Prayers: It is the belief of the devotees that Rohini starers would cross over any problems if they pray Lord Pandava Dhoodha in the temple.

This is the shrine where Lord Krishna graces His devotees with Viswapadhayoga powers pressing His feet on earth. Hence, those circumambulating in the temple in step by step method or roll around touching the earth with all parts of the body would have all their 72,000 veins healthy to resist any infection. Worshipping the temple on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Rohini Star days, Ashtami the eighth day from new moon or full moon days and on the eighth day of the month would gift the devotees with all prosperity and health.

Greatness Of Temple: Lord Krishna is the servant of His devotees in the noblest sense of the word. He undertook the job of a messenger for Pandavas the five brothers to speak to Duryodhana to get back their share of land. Hence, He is praised as Pandava Dhoodha. He revealed His Vishwarupa darshan to blind Dridharashtira (father of the wicked Duryodhana brothers misled by their uncle Sakuni) in this place. The epigraphy in the temple shows the Lord’s name as Dhoodha Hari. This is the place where the Lord graces His devotees with His Viswapadhayoga powers pressing His feet on earth. Step by step and Angapradakshina circumambulating award the devotee with many benefits. Lord Krishna is 25 feet tall in a sitting form.

The place also has the reputation of the presence of Sri Arulala Perumal Emperumanar Yagnamurthy who challenged Sri Ramanuja for a debate. The debate went on for 18 days. He finally surrendered to Sri Ramanuja and became an Acharya for great saints then. Rohini Devi worshipped Lord here and got the hands of Moon God in marriage. Moon married Rohini first having ‘wisdom powers’ followed with Kruthika (also a star deity) having Agni (fire) powers. He married other star deities later. It is said that Rohini Devi is worshipping the Lord in this temple invisibly every day. Those born in Rohini star are advised to worship in this temple on the star days, Wednesdays, Saturdays, Ashtami days and on the 8th of each month.

Temple History: The story that Darmaputra lost his land to Duryodhana in gambling is popular even among lay men in India. According to a compromise reached then, Pandavas had to get back their share after 13 years of a life in exile including one year incognito. Duryodhana refused to comply with the conditions of the pact when Pandavas claimed their right after fulfilling the conditions. To ensure peace and avoid perennial enmity, Lord Krishna took up a mission to Duryodhana to have at least five houses for Pandavas. Duryodhana was adamant and refused Krishna’s suggestion. Also, as advised by Sakuni, he dug a deep pit, placed wrestlers in, covered the pit with blankets and placed a chair for Krishna. When Lord Krishna sat on the seat, as expected, the chair went in and the wrestlers began to work. But they were even collectively unable to bear the weight of Krishna and were killed. Krishna grew taller with anger and revealed His furious Vishwarupa to the blind Dritharashtira, father of the wicked Duryodhana and warned them of the consequences. Thus the Lord became Pandava Dhooda.

After the Kurukshetra war, Pandavas’ grandson Pareekshit ascended the throne and begged Acharya Vysampayana to tell him the story of his ancestors. Sage Vysampayana explained this Vishwarupa episode to the king. He also sought the advice of the sage to have this darshan of the Lord. He came to this place, performed penance on Lord Krishna in Kancheepuram and achieved his wish – the Vishwarupa darshan - in this sacred land.

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