Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal (Yathothkari) Temple

The Yathothkari Perumal Temple at Thiruvekka in Kanchipuram, Thondai Nadu, enshrines the Lord reclining as Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal, the One who did exactly as was told, also known as Yathothkari, with the consort revered as Komalavalli Thaayar. According to the sthala purana, this is intimately bound to the life of Thirumazhisai Alwar, whose name the place carries in tradition: it is told that when the saint, slighted, prepared to leave the town, he bade the reclining Lord to roll up His serpent-bed and accompany him, and the Lord obediently did as the devotee said, until entreated to remain, the very deed from which the name Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal arises. Tradition also links the kshetra to the great river Saraswati, restrained by Brahma’s sacrifice. Among the foremost Divya Desams, Thiruvekka holds a singular distinction, for it is sung by six Alwars in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham: Poigai Alwar, Bhoothath Alwar, and Pey Alwar, the three earliest mudhal Alwars associated with Kanchi, together with their successor Thirumazhisai Alwar, and later Nammalwar and Thirumangai Alwar. The temple’s sacred tank, Poigai (the lotus pond) outside its main entrance, is furthermore held to be the birthplace of Poigai Alwar himself. Thus richly praised, Thiruvekka stands as one of the most beloved abodes of Kanchi, where the Lord’s loving obedience to His devotee is forever enshrined.

Festivals

At this Thiruvekka shrine of Yathothkari, the Lord who did as was bidden, the traditional Srivaishnava festivals of Kanchipuram are observed through the year. An annual Brahmotsavam is kept with processional honours to the utsava murti, special decorations, and recitation of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Vaikunta Ekadasi in the month of Margazhi is among the most revered occasions, when devotees gather for darshan during the sacred fortnight. This temple is closely associated with the saint Poigai Azhwar, and his connection lends devotional significance to its observances. Pavithrotsavam, the Float festival (Theppotsavam), and Adhyayana Utsavam with the ceremonial recitation of the Prabandham are also traditionally honoured, alongside the daily and monthly worship that follows long-established Srivaishnava custom.

Location & Access

The temple lies in the Thiruvekka locality of Kanchipuram, the celebrated temple-city of the Thondai Nadu region in northern Tamil Nadu, situated within the town near a sacred tank and other nearby Divya Desams. Kanchipuram is well served by road and rail and is conveniently approached from Chennai, the nearest major city and transport hub to its northeast. Like most Vishnu temples, the shrine generally keeps morning and evening darshan hours with a midday closure. Verify current darshan timings and travel details with the temple or official sources before visiting.