012. Thirukkavitthalam - Sri Gajendra Varadha Perumal Temple, Kumbakonam

About the Temple & Location:

It is situated in Tanjore district, Tail Nadu. Two miles away from Tanjai - Pabanasam Railway station. Bus routes are available in between Kumbakonam to Tiruvayyaru. There is no lodging facility. But some chatthirams are available.

Sthala Puranam:

Lord Anjaneya, who belongs to Monkey family, who was gifted with all sorts of good activities and very well knowledged animal (human god) got the Siranjeevi pattam (there is no end of life for him) is also called as "Siriya Thiruvadi" and Gajendran, an elephant that has dedicated its life to Sri Vishnu, did all sorts of pooja and worshipped the God and went along the way what all the alwaars have said and got the stage as alwaars were given prathyaksham for these two (ie) Lord Anjaneya and Gajendran, the Elephant in Kidantha Kolam in bujanga Sayanam.

Emperuman giving his seva (or) dharshan for Lord Anjaneya as sri Rama, gives his seva to Gajendran when his legs was caught by a crocodile, when Gajendran wants to pluck a flower in a pind and do pooja for Emperumaan. But since he was unable to get rid from his mouth, he seeked the help from Sriman Narayanan. At that time he gave his presence there and helped him out to get out of Crocodile mouth. The way he showed his seva to Gajendran alwan in one thing which is to be explained. At the final stage when Gajendran felt that it is impossible to get put his legs from the mouth of crocodile, he raised his trunk along the sky and asked for Sriman Narayanan's help. When hearing this, Sriman Narayanan flyed from Thirupparkadal on Sri Garudan.

Finally he came and helped out Gajendra Alwaan. After this, Keeping the dedication of worship of Gajendran Alwaan in his mind he gave moksham, the final place each and every human thinks to go was given to Gajendra Alwaan.

The basic moral of this story is that even if it is a small human (or) non - human things, when it is surrendered to God, he will help them (or) us to get out of it.

Inspite of the God, giving seva for Anjaneyar as Sri Ramar and as Sri Vaikundanathan for Gajendra Alwaan, he also showed his seva as "Kannan" in the river side. Thats the reason this shetram is also called as "Krishnaranya Shetram".

Not only for the Rishis, who borned as Gopika Sri (Ladies in Aayar Padi)along the river side of Yamuna river, he showed his seva to Aanjaneya, the monkey god and for Gajendran, the Elephant, in Kidantha Thirukkolam.

If Gokulam and Aayarpaadi for Gopiyar and Naimisaaranyam for Maharishis, then this Thirukkavitham is for Aanjaneyar and Gajendran in all along of 108 Divya Desams.

In Languages, "Kabi" means monkey since Aanjaneyar was given the seva of Sriman Narayanan, this Sthalam is called as "Kabishthalam".

Gajendram, which takes the Lotus flower from the pond and does the daily pooja here for the God, was given the seva along with periya pirattiyaar, as "Ramamani Valli".

The primary moral explained by this sthalam is that for each and every Jeevathmaas which is born in this Earth is given the complete seva and blessings by Sriman Narayanan.

Human soul is said to be jumping from one place to another,(ie) it will not be fulfilled by a particular thing and as same way when it goes to an high position the human minds gets hold of Head weight. The Lord gives his seva only to explain this.

Moolavar:

The Moolavar of this temple is Sri Gajendra Varadhan. Moolavar in Kidantha Kolam in Bhujanga sayanam facing East direction. Prathyaksham for Anjaneyar and as Bhaktha Elephant for Gajendran.

Thayaar:

Ramamani Valli (Potramaraiyaal).

Mangalasasanam:

• Thirumangai Alwar - 1 Paasuram.
  Total - 1 Paasuram.

Pushkarani:

1. Gajendra Pushkarani.

2. Kabila Theertham.

Vimanam:
Kadhanakkruthi Vimaanam.