Ulagalanda Perumal Temple

Ulagalanda Perumal temple, situated very near to the Kanchipuram bus stand, is one of the most important temples of Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples. The temple is famous for the gigantic image of the main deity of ulagalanda perumal an incarnation of lord vishnu.

Within this massive temple of Ulagalanda Perumal are four other smaller Vishnu shrines, dedicated to Karakathan, Ooorakathan, Neerakathan and Karvanathan. Legend: Ulagalanda Perumal is the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu (known as Vamana Avataar).

Bali Chakravarti, grandson of Prahlada, was a righteous Asura (demon) ruler. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and was known for his generosity. When He humbled Indra and the Devas, they sought the Lords intervention. Vishnu assumed the form a dwarf Brahmin boy by name Vamana and approached Bali seeking three steps of land for him to stay. Bali readily agreed, took water in his right hand and offered it on the right palm of Vamana, signifying that his wish had been granted. The dwarf boy assumed Vishwaroopa (a gigantic divine form) and measured the entire Earth in one step and the Heaven in the second step. When he asked for the third step space, Bali realised that Vaman was Lord Vishnu Himself. He bowed and offered his head to the Lord to place His third step, saying his head was more valuable than all his kingly possessions. Impressed with this act, the Lord kept His foot on Balis head and gave him darshan. Knowing Balis good deeds, the Lord, instead of killing him, sent him to the Paathaala Lok (Netherworld) and ordained him to rule from there till Earth existed. The Kanchipuram shrine of Sri Ulagalanda Perumal is a rare one dedicated to this mythological incident.

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