Pavalavannar Temple (Tiruppavalavannam), Kanchipuram
Vishnu (as Pavalavannar, the coral-hued Lord) temple · Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
The Pavalavannar Temple, known in the Divya Prabandham as Tiruppavalavannam, is a Vishnu temple in Kanchipuram. 'Pavalam' means coral, and the deity is worshipped as Pavalavannar, the Lord with the colour of coral; he is also called Pravalavannar. His consort is Pavalavalli, also known as Pravalavalli.
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Dinamalar and Tamil Wikipedia both describe the Pachaivannar ('emerald-hued') Vishnu temple as standing directly opposite, and devotees customarily worship at the two shrines together.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Pavalavannar Temple (Tiruppavalavannam), Kanchipuram
According to Dinamalar's temple guide and Tamil Wikipedia, Tiruppavalavannam was praised by Thirumangai Alvar in a single verse of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, in which he addresses the Lord by many names, calls him 'Pavala Vanna', and asks where he may be found. Tamil Wikipedia notes that this is one of the shrines sung by Thirumangai Alvar alone. The temple-travel book Thiruthalap Payanam, published on Tamil Wikisource, likewise lists the shrine with this one hymn.
Temple tradition, as told by Dinamalar, explains the coral colour in two ways. One story says that Vishnu showed himself in a different colour in each age (yuga): milk-white, coral-red, green and blue, so that the coral form belongs to the Treta Yuga. The other connects it with Brahma's sacrifice at Kanchipuram: when Saraswati sent demons to disrupt the yajna, Vishnu destroyed them and appeared reddened, and was therefore called Pavalavannar. Adisesha is said to have come here and spread his hoods as an umbrella over the Lord.
A further legend links the shrine to the sage Bhrigu. As Dinamalar tells it, Bhrigu, seeking release from his offence of kicking Vishnu, was advised by Narada to worship at this 'Satya Kshetra' in Kanchi; he bathed in the Chakra Theertham, performed penance and received the Lord's darshan. An image of the sage in a worshipping posture is in the sanctum. Devotees believe that bathing in the tank and worshipping here brings prosperity; these are matters of faith.
Heritage
History of Pavalavannar Temple (Tiruppavalavannam), Kanchipuram
Little dated history is published for this temple. Wikipedia, citing T. V. R. Chari's The Glorious Temples of Kanchi, says that the temple has inscriptions from the Chola period (10th-12th centuries) and the Vijayanagara period (15th-16th centuries), and that it is believed to have been built under the Cholas.
On its administration, Wikipedia records that the temple was long managed by hereditary trustees, and that following a 2014 dispute, control was divided between the trustees and the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.
Architecture and sacred features
Dinamalar describes the temple as standing directly east of the Ekambareswarar temple, so that the two deities face each other. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram. In the sanctum, Pavalavannar is seated on Adisesha, facing west; an image of Santana Gopalakrishna stands near him, and childless couples offer special worship to this image. The shrines of Pravalavalli Thayar and Andal are in the prakara (corridor).
The ceiling of the front mandapa of the Thayar shrine carries sculptures of the eight guardians of the directions (Ashta Dikpalakas). The circular temple tank, the Chakra Theertham, lies in front of the temple; tradition holds that the Lord destroyed the demons with his discus at its centre.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
This is an active temple with set morning and evening darshan periods. Many visitors combine it with the Pachaivannar temple opposite. 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 before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Hereditary trustees and the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department (per Wikipedia, after a 2014 order) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Pavalavannar Temple (Tiruppavalavannam), Kanchipuram
Brahmotsavam
A ten-day annual festival, according to Dinamalar; Wikipedia describes it as the temple's most prominent festival.
Pavitrotsavam
A five-day purificatory festival, according to Dinamalar.
Vaikunta Ekadasi
Observed at the temple, as at other Vishnu shrines, according to Dinamalar and Wikipedia.
Location
How to Reach Pavalavannar Temple (Tiruppavalavannam), Kanchipuram
The temple is in the Periya (Big) Kanchipuram part of the town. Dinamalar gives it as about 1 km from the Kanchipuram bus stand, with Kanchipuram the nearest railway station and Chennai the nearest airport.
Location: Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Chennai (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Kanchipuram (per Dinamalar)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Vishnu (as Pavalavannar, the coral-hued Lord) temples · Temples in Kanchipuram Taluk · Temples in Kanchipuram District
Questions
Pavalavannar Temple (Tiruppavalavannam), Kanchipuram: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the deity called Pavalavannar?
'Pavalam' means coral. Tradition says Vishnu appeared here in a coral-red form, either as the colour of the Treta Yuga or after destroying the demons who disrupted Brahma's sacrifice.
Which Alvar sang about Tiruppavalavannam?
Thirumangai Alvar, in a single verse of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
What is the connection with the Pachaivannar temple?
The Pachaivannar ('emerald-hued') temple stands directly opposite, and devotees customarily worship at both.
Who is the sage shown in the sanctum?
The sage Bhrigu, who according to legend worshipped here and bathed in the Chakra Theertham to atone for kicking Vishnu.
What festivals are held at Pavalavannar Temple?
A ten-day Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi (May-June), a five-day Pavitrotsavam in Panguni (March-April) and Vaikunta Ekadasi in Margazhi (December-January).
How far is the temple from Kanchipuram bus stand?
About 1 km, according to Dinamalar.
Sources and attribution
- Dinamalar (Tamil) — Arulmigu Pavalavannapperumal Thirukkoyil, Thiruppavalavannam
- Dinamalar — Sri Pachai Vanna Perumal temple, Kancheepuram
- Tamil Wikisource — Thiruthalap Payanam, page 390 (Pavalavannam)
- Wikipedia — Pavalavannam Temple
- Tamil Wikipedia — Kanchipuram Pavala Vannar Kovil
Further reading: Pavalavannar Temple (Tiruppavalavannam), Kanchipuram on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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