SriVaishnavam - The Philosophy !
108 Dhivya Desam - Thiruppavalavannam

Location :  Kancheepuram 

Perumaal :  Pavalavannan

Thaayaar :  Pavalavalli

Theertham : Chakra Theertham

Paasuram  : ThirumangaiAzhwar

Vimaanam : Pravaala Vimanam

Travel Base : Chennai, Kancheepuram

Description: This Dhivya Desam is located in the Temple town of Kancheepuram, in Periya Kancheepuram near the railway station. Located closeby is the Pachaivannar Temple, facing this Temple. It is conventional to consider these two Temples together as an integrated Dhivya Desam, although Pachai Vannar has not been sung by the Azhwars.

 

Deities: The Moolavar here is Pavalavannan, in a standing posture facing west; Perumaal here is also referred to as Pravala Varneeswarar. Thaayaar here is Pavalavalli. Pachaivannar is enshrined in a seated posture (on Adi Seshan) as Paramapada Naathan.

 

Legend has it that Bhrigu Maharishi and Parvati  worshipped Perumaal here. Thirumangai Azhwar's Paasuram refering to Perumaal as Pavalavanna and Kachhi Oora in his Thiruneduntaandakam has been the basis for classifying this Temple as a Dhivya Desam.

 

The legend associated with Thiruvegkaa and Bhrahma's ritual sacrifice is also associated with this shrine.

 

The Temple under worship now, is a modern one (19th century) constructed in place of the ancient Temple. This Temple covers a two acre area, and it has a hall decked with mirrors all around. Two worship services are carried out here. This west facing Temple has imposing walls surrounding a single prakaram and a 5 tiered rajagopuram. There are shrines to Aandaal, the Azhwars and the Acharyas in the prakaram.

 

As in the Varadharajaswamy Temple and the Thiru Oorakam Temple, the Bhramotsavam is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi. Vaikuntha Ekadasi in Margazhi and Pavitrotsavam in the month of Pankuni are the other festivals celebrated here.

 

The Dhivya Desams revered by the Azhwars in Perumaal Kanchi are Attigiri (the vast Varadharaja Perumal Temple), Ashtabuyakaram, Thiruttankaa, Thiruvelukkai and Thiruvegkaa, while those in Shiva  Kanchi are Thiru Oorakam (Ulagalanda Perumaal Koyil) , Thiru Neeragam, Thiruppaatakam, Nilaattingal Tundam, Thirukkaaragam, Thirukkaarvaanam, Thirukkalvanur, Thiruppavalavannam and Parameswara Vinnagaram. The vast Ekambreswarar Temple(Prithvi Stalam)  revered by the Thevaram hymns, is located in Periya (Shiva) Kanchi, as are the Kamakshiamman and the Kumara Kottam Temples.