Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
The Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple, also called Thirupadagam, is a Vishnu temple in Kanchipuram where Krishna is worshipped as Pandava Thoothar, the messenger of the Pandavas, with his consort Lakshmi as Rukmini. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, and is considered one of the three oldest temples in Kanchipuram, along with the Ulagalantha Perumal and the Yathothkari Perumal temples.
What to see and do
- Have darshan of Pandava Thoothar, Krishna as the messenger of the Pandavas
- See the large, seated form of the deity in the sanctum
- Visit the shrine of Rukmini
- Walk the old courtyards and the pillared halls
Ideal for
- Devotees of Krishna and Vishnu
- Readers of the Mahabharata who enjoy its sacred places
- Pilgrims following the Alvars
Good to know
- Timings are given differently by different sources, and temples in Kanchipuram usually close in the middle of the day, so check locally
- Dress modestly, remove footwear at the entrance, and expect a quiet, traditional atmosphere
- Mobile phone and camera rules vary inside the sanctum, so ask at the gate
- Go in the morning or evening, when the temple is open and the light is soft
Spiritual significance
Pandava Thoothar is the form of Krishna who went to the Kauravas as a messenger for the Pandavas, and this is one of the Divya Desams where that story is remembered.
Why it matters
- A Divya Desam: one of the 108 Vishnu temples praised by the Alvars
- A Mahabharata story: Krishna as the messenger of the Pandavas
- One of the three oldest: among the oldest temples of Kanchipuram