Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple (Rohini Star)
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📍 Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
⭐ Featured Regional SignificanceLocated at Thiruppadagam in Kanchipuram, this ancient Divya Desam dedicated to Lord Krishna as Pandava Thoothar Perumal is the parihara sthalam for the Rohini nakshatra, famed for its rare 25-foot seated Vishwarupa form.
🕒 Practical Information
🕉️ Spiritual Details
Lord Pandava Thoothar Perumal / Pandava Dhootha Perumal (Krishna, a form of Vishnu)
Seated Vishwarupa (cosmic form) of Krishna, approximately 25 feet tall; sanctum faces east under a Bhadra Vimana
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Lord Pandava Thoothar Perumal / Pandava Dhootha Perumal (Krishna, a form of Vishnu)
Sri Pandava Dhootha Perumal Temple, 28-B, Pandava Dhoodha Perumal Koil Street, Periya Kanchi, Thiruppadagam, Kanchipuram - 631502, Tamil Nadu
Spiritual Highlights
Rohini-born devotees are believed to gain prosperity, wellbeing, and the ability to overcome life's difficulties. Devotees performing Adi Pradakshinam and Anga Pradakshinam (prostrating circumambulation) are said to have their body's channels (72,000 veins, per tradition) energized and to find relief from ailments and obstacles.
The legend of Krishna revealing his Vishwarupa (cosmic form) both in the Kaurava court and later to King Janamejaya at this site is central to the temple's sacred history.
Devotees perform Adi Pradakshinam and Anga Pradakshinam (prostration-based circumambulation) around the temple. Rohini-born devotees are advised to worship particularly on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Rohini star days, and Ashtami (the eighth day from new or full moon).
Worship is believed to bring clarity, emotional strength, resolution of karmic obstacles (especially relational), and general prosperity and wellbeing to Rohini-born devotees.
About Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple (Rohini Star)
Sri Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple, also known as Thirupadagam or Tiruppadagam, stands in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, very close to the Ekambaranathar Temple. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams sacred to Sri Vaishnavas and is considered one of the three oldest temples in Kanchipuram, believed to have origins under the Pallavas of the late 8th century CE, with later additions by the Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagara rulers. Inscriptions on the sanctum's north and south walls record donations from Kulothunga Chola I and Rajadhiraja II (dated to 1167 CE), including a gift of 32 cows for temple lamps.
The temple faces east and is fronted by a five-tier Rajagopuram built during the Vijayanagara period, with the Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and an image of Garudalwar positioned before the main sanctum. Its most distinctive feature is the moolavar: a rare, roughly 25-foot-tall stucco image of Lord Krishna seated with his left leg down and right leg folded, hands in abhaya and varada hastam, housed under a Bhadra Vimana - considered the tallest seated Perumal deity of its kind. The goddess Rukmini (with Satyabhama also mentioned as consort) is enshrined separately facing south, and the complex also houses shrines to Chakarathazhwar, Lord Narasimha, and Arulala Perumal Emperumanar. The temple tank is known as Matsya Theertham, located to the northeast. The shrine is praised in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the Azhwar saints Bhoothathazhwar, Peyazhwar, Thirumazhisai Azhwar, and Thirumangai Azhwar, who refer to the site as Paadagam.
Architecture & Heritage
Dravidian (Pallava origins, with Chola and Vijayanagara-period additions) (Pallava Dynasty (late 8th century CE), with later Chola and Vijayanagara contributions)
Five-tier Rajagopuram (Vijayanagara period) on the south side; Bhadra Vimana over the main sanctum; Dwajasthambam, Balipeedam, and Garudalwar images before the sanctum; Matsya Theertham temple tank to the northeast; inscriptions from Kulothunga Chola I and Rajadhiraja II on the sanctum walls.
Matsya Theertham (temple tank).
Festivals & Celebrations
Rituals & Traditions
Six daily rituals in Vaishnava tradition: Ushathkalam, Kalasanthi, Uchikalam, Sayarakshai, Irandamkalam, and Ardha Jamam, each involving alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering), and deepa aradhanai (lamp-waving).
The legendary philosophical debate between Sri Ramanujacharya and Yagnamurthy (who was defeated and became his disciple, taking the name Arulala Perumal Emperumanar) is said to have taken place at this temple, and he is commemorated with his own shrine and annual observance.
Visitor Guidelines
Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative/traditional clothing.
Nearby Temples (40)
Within about 200 km driving distance from Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple (Rohini Star). Plan a yatra and cover as many of these as you can.
Ekambareswarar Temple
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Kamakshi Amman Temple
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Sri Padmavathi Devi Temple (TTD), Chennai
T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple (Thiruvonam Star)
Thiruparkadal, Tamil Nadu
Singeeswarar Temple (Moolam Star)
Mappedu, Tamil Nadu
Thiruthani Murugan Temple
Thiruthani, Tamil Nadu
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple (TTD), Vellore
Vellore, Tamil Nadu
Veeraraghava Perumal Temple
Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu
Thatheeswarar Temple (Swathi Star)
Sittukadu, Tamil Nadu
Frequently Asked Questions
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Lord Pandava Thoothar Perumal / Pandava Dhootha Perumal (Krishna, a form of Vishnu)
Rukmini (consort), Satyabhama, Chakarathazhwar, Lord Narasimha, Arulala Perumal Emperumanar (Yagnamurthy), Garudalwar
Sri Pandava Dhootha Perumal Temple, 28-B, Pandava Dhoodha Perumal Koil Street, Periya Kanchi, Thiruppadagam, Kanchipuram - 631502, Tamil Nadu
How to Reach
Chennai International Airport (MAA) — ~60 km
Kanchipuram Railway Station (KJ) — ~1.5 km
Kanchipuram Central Bus Stand — ~2 km
The temple is located on Pandava Dhoodha Perumal Koil Street in Periya Kanchi, very close to the Ekambaranathar Temple; autos are available from the Kanchipuram bus stand. Chennai is roughly 65-70 km away.
