Deepaprakasar (Vilakkoli Perumal) Temple, Thiruthanka, Kanchipuram
Vishnu (as Deepaprakasar / Vilakkoli Perumal) temple · Kanchipuram (Thooppul), Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
The Deepaprakasar Temple at Thiruthanka in Kanchipuram is dedicated to Vishnu as Deepaprakasar, 'the one who shines as a lamp', known in Tamil as Vilakkoli Perumal. His consort is worshipped as Maragathavalli. The locality is also called Thooppul, a name that Dinamalar explains by the darbha grass that once grew thickly here.
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of the Sri Vaishnava tradition, praised by Thirumangai Alvar. It is also revered as the birthplace of the 13th-14th-century teacher Vedanta Desika, who is often called Thooppul Desikan, and it has a shrine dedicated to him.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Deepaprakasar (Vilakkoli Perumal) Temple, Thiruthanka, Kanchipuram
The temple's name comes from a legend about Brahma's great sacrifice at Kanchipuram. As Dinamalar and Wikipedia tell it, Brahma began the yajna without his consort Saraswati, and the angered goddess tried to stop it by plunging the place into darkness. Brahma prayed to Vishnu, who appeared as a brilliant light so that the rite could continue; hence the names Vilakkoli ('light of the lamp') and Deepaprakasar. Dinamalar adds that the Lord then reconciled Brahma and Saraswati. These are traditional accounts.
The Hindu, describing Kanchipuram's Vishnu shrines in 2003, listed 'Thoopul Deepaprakasar' as one of at least four temples in the town linked to the story of Brahma's yajna, together with Yathothkari, Ashtabhujakaram and Varadaraja Perumal. Wikipedia likewise groups these four temples around the legend.
The temple is closely associated with Vedanta Desika. According to Dinamalar he was born at Thooppul in 1268 and lived until 1369; Wikipedia records that he composed the Saranagati Deepika, a hymn of 59 verses, in devotion to the deity here. Devotees pray at the temple for children and for success in learning, according to Dinamalar.
Heritage
History of Deepaprakasar (Vilakkoli Perumal) Temple, Thiruthanka, Kanchipuram
Wikipedia records inscriptions from the time of the Chola king Rajaraja Chola III (1223 CE) and says the temple was expanded under the Medieval Cholas and the Vijayanagara kings; no founding date is known. Dinamalar reports a tradition that the construction of the temple was completed by Desika's son, Nayina Varadachariar.
According to Wikipedia, the image in the Vedanta Desika shrine is said to have been installed by the same son, and Dinamalar states that the image of Lakshmi Hayagriva worshipped by Desika is still kept in the temple. The temple is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, according to Wikipedia.
Architecture and sacred features
The temple stands in the Vishnu Kanchi part of the town, where most of Kanchipuram's Vishnu temples are found. Wikipedia describes a rectangular plan enclosed by walls and divided into two precincts, with a gateway tower at the entrance; the central shrine holds the image of Deepaprakasar. Dinamalar names the sanctum tower the Srikara Vimana and the temple tank the Saraswathi Theertham.
Besides the main shrine there are shrines for Mahalakshmi (Maragathavalli), Andal, Hayagriva, Garuda, the Alvars and Vedanta Desika, according to Dinamalar. Wikipedia notes that the Desika shrine faces south and that his image shows him with his hand raised in the gesture of protection (abhaya mudra).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
This is an active temple with fixed morning and evening darshan periods, and it is busiest on Vedanta Desika festival days. Dress modestly, remove footwear before entering, and follow the instructions of the temple staff on photography. Confirm current timings and festival dates locally with the temple administration (HR&CE) before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department (per Wikipedia) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Deepaprakasar (Vilakkoli Perumal) Temple, Thiruthanka, Kanchipuram
Vedanta Desika Brahmotsavam
Wikipedia describes this as the main festival of the Desika shrine; Desika's festival image is taken to the Varadaraja Perumal Temple for special rituals.
Varadaraja's Garuda darshan to Desika
During the Varadaraja Perumal Brahmotsavam, Varadaraja's festival image is brought to the Desika shrine, an event Dinamalar and Wikipedia both describe.
Aavani and Margazhi festivals
Dinamalar describes Vilakkoli Perumal visiting Desika's shrine in Aavani and the Lord honouring Desika in Margazhi.
Location
How to Reach Deepaprakasar (Vilakkoli Perumal) Temple, Thiruthanka, Kanchipuram
Dinamalar gives the temple as about a kilometre from the Kancheepuram bus stand, with Kancheepuram the nearest railway station and Chennai the nearest airport.
Location: Kanchipuram (Thooppul), Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Chennai (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Kancheepuram (per Dinamalar)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Vishnu (as Deepaprakasar / Vilakkoli Perumal) temples · Temples in Kanchipuram Taluk · Temples in Kanchipuram District
Questions
Deepaprakasar (Vilakkoli Perumal) Temple, Thiruthanka, Kanchipuram: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the deity called Vilakkoli Perumal?
According to legend, when Saraswati tried to stop Brahma's sacrifice by causing darkness, Vishnu appeared as a brilliant light. 'Vilakku oli' means the light of a lamp, and Deepaprakasar is the Sanskrit equivalent.
Is this the birthplace of Vedanta Desika?
Yes. Dinamalar and Wikipedia describe Thooppul, where this temple stands, as the birthplace of Vedanta Desika (1268-1369), who has a shrine inside the temple.
Which Alvar sang about Thiruthanka?
Thirumangai Alvar praised the temple in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
What is the Saranagati Deepika?
A hymn of 59 verses that Vedanta Desika composed in devotion to Deepaprakasar, according to Wikipedia.
Which other Kanchipuram temples share the legend of Brahma's sacrifice?
The Hindu lists Yathothkari, Ashtabhujakaram and Varadaraja Perumal along with Thooppul Deepaprakasar.
Who manages the temple?
Wikipedia says it is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Sources and attribution
- Dinamalar — Sri Vilakkoli Perumal temple, Kancheepuram
- The Hindu (K. Subramaniam, 21 November 2003) — Samprokshanam at Kanchi
- Wikipedia — Tiruththanka
Further reading: Deepaprakasar (Vilakkoli Perumal) Temple, Thiruthanka, Kanchipuram on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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