![]() The shrine of Yathoktakari Perumal is one of the oldest in Kanchi and in all of Tamil Nadu as it has been mentioned in the Perumbanattrupadai, a treatise in the Tamil language composed in the Sangam age belonging to approximately 2nd century A.D. The main deity which is placed in the temple sanctum is known as Lord Yathoktakari. According to the common belief a devotee named Yathoktakari accepted the request of Tirumalisai Alwar to follow him out of Kanchipuram, and again return and lie down. The very name of the temple signifies a special meaning.Yathokta means "as requested" and Kari means "a person who did it." Hence the temple is named so following the name of the devotee of Tirumalisai Alwar. The deity which is housed in this temple is eulogized by the early Azhvars or the Mudal Azhvars. The significant Azhvars like Poygai Azhvar and Pey Azhvar and Tirumazhisai Azhvar and Tirumangai Azhvar, have sung the glory of the deity in their hymns. The distinguished Srivaishnava preceptor, Vedanta Desika, has composed a beautiful Sanskrit poem consisting often verses called Vegasetu Stotra in praise of this deity. Tiruvehkha is also very important to Vaishnavas as it is the birthplace of Poygai Azhvar, one of the famous early Azhvars. The word 'Poygai' in Tamil means tank. Hence the tank in this temple (Poygai Pushkarini) is revered by the devotees as the birth-place avatara-Sthala of this Azhvar. The temple of Yathokta is considered as one of the ancient temples of Kanchipuram, representing antiquity and legendary magnificence at the same time. The traditional importance of the temple is enhanced by the legendary stories associated with the shrine. According to the temple-legend, the common belief runs that Goddess Saraswati intended to spoil the yajna or sacrifice of Brahma at Satyavrata Kshetra which is situated near this temple. She assumed the shape of the swift-flowing river Vegavati to wash away the sacrifice. At this very time, Vishnu, at the request of Brahma prevented the further flowing of Saraswati in the form of the river. He lay down in the path of the river on His serpent Adisesha. Lord Vishnu then put His head on His right arm in the form of a bridge and prevented it from flowing further. The river then disappeared in the underground. As Vishnu lay blocking the course of the Vegavati River, he came to be identified as Vegasethu in Sanskrit and Vekkanai in Tamil. ![]() However the legend associated with the temple provide it much popularity among the Vishnu Temples of South India. Architecture of Sri Yathoktakari Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram The architecture and the sculptural design of the Sri Yathoktakari Perumal Temple, lend it a special significance. The wonderful carvings on the wall of the temple is an added beauty to the antiquity of the legendary temple of Kanchipuram. The main sanctum sanctorum is known as garbha-griha, which is rectangular in shape Inscriptions of Sri Yathoktakari Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram The inscriptions engraved on the temple wall and the pillars surrounding the temples articulate the antiquity and stately magnificence of the temple. The inscriptions on the wall not only enhances the traditional significance, but also helps to determine the actual chronology of the temple. Festival of the Sri Yathoktakari Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram The festivals performed in the Sri Yathoktakari Perumal Temple, provide it with a majestic grandeur. The festivals of the temple represents the essence of the tradition of the temple. The famous among the festivals performed is the Brahmotsavam festival. |