Yathothkari Perumal (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) Temple, Tiruvekka, Kanchipuram
Vishnu (as Yathothkari, 'Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal', reclining on the serpent) temple · Kanchipuram (Chinna Kanchipuram), Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
The Yathothkari Perumal Temple at Tiruvekka in Kanchipuram is dedicated to Vishnu reclining on the serpent Adisesha. In Tamil the deity is called Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal, 'the Lord who did as he was told', which is what the Sanskrit name Yathothkari also means. His consort is worshipped as Komalavalli.
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of the Sri Vaishnava tradition and is revered as the birthplace of Poigai Alvar, the first of the Alvar poet-saints, who is believed to have been found in the temple's lotus pond. It stands in the Chinna (Vishnu) Kanchipuram part of the town.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Yathothkari Perumal (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) Temple, Tiruvekka, Kanchipuram
The temple's best-known legend explains its name. As told by Dinamalar and Wikipedia, the Alvar Thirumazhisai lived here serving the Lord with his disciple Kanikannan. When a Pallava king banished Kanikannan for refusing to sing his praises, Thirumazhisai Alvar decided to leave with his disciple and asked the Lord to roll up his serpent bed and come with them, and the Lord did so. The king, realising his error, begged them to return, and the Alvar asked the Lord to lie down again. Because he obeyed the devotee's words, he is called Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal. Devotees believe that on returning the Lord lay down in the opposite direction, which is why the image reclines the reverse way to most Ranganatha images.
A second legend connects the temple with Brahma's sacrifice at Kanchipuram. According to The Hindu (2003), Saraswati took the form of a river to disrupt Brahma's yajna, and Vishnu checked the flood by lying across its course; he is therefore also called Vega Sethu. Dinamalar adds that the river Vegavathi gave the place its name, Vekka or Vehka. The Hindu lists this temple first among at least four Kanchipuram shrines linked to the legend, with Deepaprakasar, Ashtabhujakaram and Varadaraja Perumal.
Poigai Alvar is believed to have been born in the temple tank, the Poigai Pushkarini. According to Dinamalar the temple was sung by Poigai Alvar, Peyalvar, Thirumazhisai Alvar and Thirumangai Alvar; Wikipedia's list includes Bhoothathalvar instead of Thirumangai. Wikipedia also records that Vedanta Desika composed the Vegasetu Stotram on this deity.
Heritage
History of Yathothkari Perumal (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) Temple, Tiruvekka, Kanchipuram
Wikipedia describes the temple as one of the three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram, along with Ulagalantha Perumal and Pandava Thoothar Perumal, and notes that the Sangam-age poem Perumpanarruppadai mentions Vishnu lying on a serpent bed at Vekka. The present structure is believed to go back to the Pallava period.
Wikipedia records about a dozen inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagara periods. They include a record of Parantaka I (10th century) of a gift of gold, records of Rajendra Chola I of gifts of land and gold, a Kulothunga Chola I record of an endowment for lamps, and a Kulothunga Chola III record of a gift of a village; the inscriptions also mention a float festival and a summer festival.
In 2003 The Hindu reported on the temple's annual Poigai Alvar avatara festival and quoted the hereditary executive trustee of the temple; the festival included the Sathumurai of both Poigai Alvar and Manavala Mamunigal.
Architecture and sacred features
According to Wikipedia and Dinamalar, the deity faces west and reclines in the bhujanga sayana posture under the Vedasara Vimana. Wikipedia notes that the image is of stucco and that an image of Saraswati praying at the Lord's feet is also in the sanctum. The sanctum is approached through the flagstaff and the Mahamandapa and Ardhamandapa; the Mahamandapa has sculpted pillars of the Vijayanagara period (15th-16th centuries).
The Komalavalli shrine faces the main shrine, and a shrine to Poigai Alvar stands north of the flagstaff. Dinamalar mentions a separate shrine for Rama with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. The lotus tank associated with Poigai Alvar lies outside the main entrance, according to Wikipedia.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
This is an active temple with fixed morning and evening darshan periods and large crowds during the Brahmotsavam and Poigai Alvar festival. 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 the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Yathothkari Perumal (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) Temple, Tiruvekka, Kanchipuram
Poigai Alvar Avatara Utsavam
Celebrates the birth of Poigai Alvar in the temple tank; reported by The Hindu and described by Wikipedia as one of the two major festivals.
Brahmotsavam
Described by Wikipedia as the temple's major festival.
Thai procession to Orikkai
Recalling the Kanikannan legend, the festival images of Yathothkari, Thirumazhisai Alvar and Kanikannan are taken to Orikkai village for a short stay, according to Wikipedia.
Vaikunta Ekadasi
Listed as a festival of the temple by Dinamalar.
Location
How to Reach Yathothkari Perumal (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) Temple, Tiruvekka, Kanchipuram
Dinamalar places the temple on the way from Addison Pettai to the Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram town, with Kanchipuram the nearest railway station and Chennai the nearest airport.
Location: Kanchipuram (Chinna Kanchipuram), Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Nearest airport: Chennai (per Dinamalar)
Nearest railway station: Kanchipuram (per Dinamalar)
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Vishnu (as Yathothkari, 'Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal', reclining on the serpent) temples · Temples in Kanchipuram Taluk · Temples in Kanchipuram District
Questions
Yathothkari Perumal (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) Temple, Tiruvekka, Kanchipuram: Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal mean?
'The Lord who did as he was told.' According to legend, Vishnu rolled up his serpent bed and left Kanchipuram when Thirumazhisai Alvar asked him to, and returned when the Alvar asked again.
Why does the deity recline in the opposite direction?
Tradition says that when the Lord returned at the Alvar's request he lay down the other way; the image reclines in the reverse direction to most Ranganatha images.
Is this the birthplace of Poigai Alvar?
Yes. Poigai Alvar is believed to have been born in the temple's lotus tank, and his birth festival is held in Aippasi.
Which Alvars sang about Tiruvekka?
Sources name Poigai Alvar, Peyalvar and Thirumazhisai Alvar; Dinamalar adds Thirumangai Alvar and Wikipedia adds Bhoothathalvar.
Why is the deity called Vega Sethu?
Legend says Vishnu lay across the river Vegavathi, the form Saraswati took to disrupt Brahma's sacrifice, acting as a dam (sethu).
How old is the Yathothkari temple?
It is counted among the three oldest Vishnu temples of Kanchipuram, is linked to a Sangam-age poem, and has Chola inscriptions from the 10th century onwards.
Sources and attribution
- Dinamalar (Tamil) — Arulmigu Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal Thirukkoyil (Thiruvekka)
- The Hindu (20 October 2003) — Alwar utsavam
- The Hindu (K. Subramaniam, 21 November 2003) — Samprokshanam at Kanchi
- Wikipedia — Yathothkari Perumal Temple
Further reading: Yathothkari Perumal (Sonna Vannam Seitha Perumal) Temple, Tiruvekka, Kanchipuram on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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