Yathothkari Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Thiruvekka Yathothkari Perumal Temple is in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. It is situated in Chinna Kanchipuram on the eastern side of Kanchipuram.

Lakshmi Devi and Saraswati Devi fought over who was superior. Everyone, including Brahma, adjudged Lakshmi Devi superior. Saraswati Devi got angry and left Brahma.  Brahma was performing a yajna alone; Saraswati Devi assumed the form of Vegavathi river and rushed towards the yajna venue to destroy it. Perumal blocked her by lying down on the way on top of Adishesha. Since Perumal lay like a bund here, it became known as Vega - anai which got corrupted into Vekka.

Yathothkari is a corruption of the term Yathokta - kari. It means that Perumal does as his devotees tell him. Tirumalisai Azhwar used to stay at Thiruvekka. He had turned an old woman into a beautiful maiden. The Pallava king of that time married her. The king became old but the woman remained young. When the king learned about the miracle that Tirumalisai Azhwar had performed, he also wanted to regain his youth.  The king called Kanikkannan, a disciple of Azhwar, and told him to get Azhwar to the court. Kanikkannan told the king that since it was the king who wanted something, he should go to Azhwar rather than call him. The king got offended and expelled Kanikkannan from Kanchipuram. When Azhwar heard about this, he also left Kanchipuram and requested Perumal also to accompany them. Perumal obliged. As Perumal left Kanchipuram, it plunged into darkness. The king realized his mistake, apologized, and got all three back to Kanchipuram. Since Perumal listened to Azhwar’s request and left Kanchipuram, he became known as Yathokta - kari. He is known as Sonnavannam seitha Perumal in Tamil.

In Perumal’s usual posture, his head rests on his right hand. Originally, it was so even at Yathothkari temple. But when Perumal left Kanchipuram and returned, his posture changed. His head was resting on his left hand. It was a clear sign to his devotees that he had gone and come back.

Oru Irukkai is presently known as Orikkai. Perumal here is called  - Or Iravu Tangi Irunda Perumal - ஓர் இரவு தங்கி இருந்த பெருமாள். It means Perumal stayed here for one night. When Perumal, Azhwar, and Kanikkannan were returning to Kanchipuram, they stayed here for a night. During the Thai Magam festival, utsava murthis of Perumal, Azhwar, and Kanikkannan are taken to Orikkai and kept there for a while.