- Deity
- Lord Krishna as Pandava Thoothar
- Divya Desam
- Yes
- Timings
- 7–11 am and 4–7.30 pm
- Distance from Chennai
- About 74 km
- Nearest railway station
- Kanchipuram
- Nearest airport
- Chennai
The legend
After the Pandavas finished their thirteen years of exile, Krishna went to the Kaurava court as their envoy to ask Duryodhana to return their kingdom. Duryodhana refused and plotted to trap and harm him at the gathering. Krishna saw through the plan and revealed his cosmic form, the Vishwaroopa, stunning the court. The temple celebrates this role of Krishna as Pandava Thoothar, the Pandavas' messenger.
What to see
The huge seated image of Krishna sits beneath the Bhadra Vimana, the tower over the sanctum. The pose shows the Lord with his feet resting on the ground, and the scale of the figure in the small sanctum is striking. Many devotees believe that walking around the shrine brings strength to body and mind.
Rohini star and festivals
The temple is considered special for people born under the Rohini star, which is also Krishna's birth star. Many of them come on Rohini days or at Krishna Jayanthi (Ashtami Rohini). Other festivals include Vaikunta Ekadasi and the annual Brahmotsavam.
Timings and dress
Darshan hours are usually 7–11 am and 4–7.30 pm; confirm hours locally on festival days. Traditional clothing is recommended: a dhoti or trousers with a shirt or angavastram for men, and saree, churidar or salwar kameez with a dupatta for women.
How to reach
The temple is about 3 km from the centre of Kanchipuram, a short auto or bus ride. Kanchipuram railway station is close by, and buses run to the town from Chennai and other cities. Chennai airport is the nearest, and Chennai is about 74 km away, roughly two hours by road. We can combine this temple with the Ekambareswarar, Kamakshi Amman and Varadaraja Perumal temples in a Kanchipuram day tour.
Also nearby
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