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Ulahalanda Perumal temple, situated about half a kilometre
from the centre of the town near Kamakshi Amman temple is one of the
oldest temples in Kanchipuram.
The deity Ulahalanda Perumal in this temple represents the Vamana Roopam,
incarnation of Lord Vishnu taken to save the Devas from the Demon King
Mahabali. The deity Ulahalanda Perumal is depicted by a huge image of
about 35 feet high.
The Legend
The Legend behind this temple goes like this; Mahabali was an ardent
devotee of Brahma. He performed penance and acquired powers with which he
harassed the Devas. The Devas then appealed to Vishnu for protection. King
Mahabali never refused alms; so knowing this Lord Vishnu devised a scheme
to humble him. Lord Vishnu took the form of a dwarfish Brahmin and went to
King Bali and begged for land, an extent of three paces of his steps, so
that he could sit there and meditate. Mahabali thought this was a small
request by a small man and accepted it.
As soon as he accepted the request of dwarfish Brahmin, had transformed
himself as Vamana taKing a mammoth form. Then he covered the three worlds
with his two paces, and asked King Bali where he could measure his third
pace. Bali could not find any other place but his head and showed it to
Vamana. Lord Vishnu then put his feet on his head and pushed him to the
netherworld but spared his life because of his virtues and penance and
ordered him not to harass the Devas. It is this manifestation that is
worshipped as Sri Ulahalanda Perumal.
Air: The nearest airport is Meenambakkam aiport in
Chennai, just 71-km
away.
Rail: Kanchipuram
has a railway station, which is on the Chengalpattu - Arakkonam line and
can be reached via Chengalpattu from
Chennai.
Road: Kanchipuram
being an important pilgrimage center of Tamil Nadu is
well connected by road with the major towns and cities within and beyond
the state.
Accommodation is available at the economy class hotels and choultries in Kanchipuram.