108 Divyadesam- 44) Tiruashtabhujakaram

Details of Kshethram:*Before getting started I would like to mention that the following kshethram's sthala puranams are intertwined to that of Hasthigiri. 1) Tiruashtabhujakaram 2) Tiruttanka 3) Tiruvellukai 4) Tiruvegka Moolavar: Aadikeshava Perumal / Gajendravaradha Perumal Thayaar: Alarmangai Thayaar Vimanam: Gangakriti Vimanam Pushkarani: Gajendra Pushkarani

Azhwar Pashuram: Tirumangaiazhwar: 10 Pashurams Pei Azhwar: 1 Pashuram Total: 11 Pashurams Sthala Puranam:Before Lord Athi Vardar was presented the to the yagnam Saraswathi Devi presented many interruptions to stop the yagnam from reaching completion. Saraswathi Devi is said to have summoned many different types of demons, ghosts, and ghouls to attack the . Lord Brahma is said to have appealed to Lord Vishnu to appear and protect the yagnam so that it would achieve its completion. The Lord is said to have appeared with eight hands (Ashtabhujar) holding weapons in seven hands and a lotus in one hand symbolizing that he would attack his enemies but also protect his devotees. The Lord is said to have vanquished all the interruptions as placed by Devi Saraswathi in her first attempt to foil the performance of the yagnam. The Lord here is referred to as Gajendravaradhan as He is said to have show Pei Azhwar the sight of Gajendra Moksham here at this kshethram. *** A peculiarity of this kshethram is that this is the only temple in all the Divyadesams at Kanchipuram to house a Vaikuntha Dwaram. Usually, if the entrance of the temple is east-facing, the Vaikuntha Dwaram is placed in a west-facing direction. But here the Vaikuntha Dwaram and the temple entrance are both facing in the easterly direction.