Kanchipuram is a District head Quarters and its also known as a Temple Town due to the fact that several hundreds of Temples are seen in and around Kanchipuram Town. The all important Temple of Sri Ulaganalantha Perumal is situated in Kanchipuram Town and is located in Nellukaara Street close to Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple. This Temple is one among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Sri Maha Vishnu. The unique feature is that it has 4 Divya Desam in a single Temple. It is said that earlier each Shrine was considered as one Temple, but later they all were united together as a single Temple and the Temple is built on a sprawling area of around 60,000 square feet. 

The Temple is said to have been built by Pallavas with later contributions from Cholas, Vijayanagaras and Madurai Nayaks. The Dwarfism form of Sri Maha Vishnu is known as Sri Vaamana whereas His giant form is known as Sri Thiru Vikaraman. The Presiding Deity of this Temple is known as Sri Ulagalandha Perumal or Sri Thiru Vikarama Perumal. His Consort here is known as Sri Artanavalli or Sri Kamalavalli or Sri Amudhavalli. The story behind the Temple is that Sri Maha Vishnu took the Avathar of Sri Vaamana or Sri Thiruvikraman and gave Dharshan to Sri Mahabali who was the grandson of Sri Baktha Prahaladha. Maha Bali took possession of the Indralok and chased away Sri Indran who started running for his life fearing Maha Bali. Hence to teach him an apt lesson Sri Maha Vishnu took the Avathar of Sri Vaamana and asked Maha Bali for three steps of Land. He then transformed Himself to Sri Thiruvikraman and measured the entire Earth in one step. With the second step He measured the Sky or Heaven and then asked Maha Bali where to place His Feet for the third step. Realising that Sri Vaamana is none other than Sri Maha Vishnu, Maha Bali bowed his head and asked HIm to place His Divine Feet on his head which he obliged and gave him the Moksha Praapthi. Hence the Presiding Deity of this Temple is Sri Ulagalantha Perumal or Sri Thiuruvikraman.

This Temple is West facing with a 3 tiered Rajagopuram. Immediately after the 3 tiered Rajagopuram is a Neivedhiya Peedam or Bali Peedam, a Dwajasthambam or Kodi Maram and a Garudalwar Sannadhi facing the Moolasthanam. The glorious Moolasthanam  has the colossal Idol of the Presiding Deity of Sri Ulagalantha Perumal standing around 24 feet tall. Taking into consideration the massive size of the Deity the Vimaanam of the Sanctum Sanctorum is built in a hollow manner. The Vimanam here is called as Saara Srikara Vimanam. The entire Temple is located 6 Feet below the ground level and the Devotees have to go down by few steps to reach the Temple. On looking towards the Presiding Deity, it seems that he intends gesticulating that He has already measured His first two steps and asks where to keep His 3rd step. The Moolavar seems to be awe inspiring when looked upon by the Devotees. The same Moolasthanam has the Urchavamoorthy Idol of Sri Maha Vishnu flanked by His Consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. It is also said that Maha bali requested Sri Ulagalantha Perumal that he was not able to see his facial Dharshan since He had placed His Divine Feet on his head. Therefore the Temple has a Shrine for Perumal who is also known as Thiru Ooragam or a Crawling Creature like a Snake, from where He gave Darshan to even Maha Bali. It also indirectly implies that all creatures even as small is a Snake are safe under Him. The Temple is said to have been built by Pallavas with later contributions from Cholas, Vijayanagaras and Madurai Nayaks. The Temple is revered by Thirumangai Alwar and Thirumazhisai Alwar. Vaikunda Ekadesi draws lots of Devotees from far flung places. The Temple has a Pushkarani or Sacred Tank known as Naaga Theertham it is located outside the Temple premises.     

Contact Details: 94435 97107 and 98943 88279

Temple Timing: 7 AM to 12 Noon and 4 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Baluchettychatram to Kanchipuram is 11 Kms

Distance from Damal to Kanchipuram is 14 Kms

Distance from Walajabad to Kanchipuram is 16 Kms

Distance from Sriperumbudur to Kanchipuram is 32 Kms

Distance from Ranipet to Kanchipuram is 48 Kms

Distance from Kalpakkam to Kanchipuram is 67 Kms

Distance from Mahabalipuram to Kanchipuram is 66 Kms

Distance from Vellore to Kanchipuram is 71 Kms

Distance from Rathinamangalam to Kanchipuram is 57 Kms

Distance from Pallikonda to Kanchipuram is 89 Kms

Distance from Thiruvalangadu to Kanchipuram is 44 Kms

Distance from Thiruvallur or Tiruvallur to Kanchipuram is 51 Kms

Distance from Uthiramerur to Kanchipuram is 28 Kms

Distance from Cheyyar to Kanchipuram is 31 Kms

Distance from Thiruttani to Kanchipuram is 47 Kms

Distance from Thakkolam to Kanchipuram is 27 Kms

Distance from Arcot to Kanchipuram is 46 Kms

Distance from Virinchipuram or Virinjipuram to Kanchipuram is 81 Kms

Distance from Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram is 39 Kms

Distance from Maduranthakam to Kanchipuram is 53 Kms

Distance from Tindivanam to Kanchipuram is 85 Kms

Distance from Vikravandi to Kanchipuram is 111 Kms

Distance from Ponneri to Kanchipuram is 97 Kms

Distance from Minjur to Kanchipuram is 93 Kms

Distance from Polur to Kanchipuram is 100 Kms

Distance from Thirukovilur to Kanchipuram is 155 Kms

Distance from Thiruvannamalai or Tiruvannamalai to Kanchipuram is 118 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Kanchipuram is 72 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Kanchipuram R.S.

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