Kanchipuram — Yathothkari Perumal

The Yathothkari Perumal temple in Kanchipuram is one of five Divya Desams in this ancient city. The presiding deity Yathothkari — one who is comfortable in whatever posture because the entire cosmos rests within — reclines in the Bhujanga Sayana posture on Adi Shesha. Thirumangai Alvar sang Mangalasasanam for this Desam in the Periya Tirumozhi. The name Yathothkari combines yatha (as it pleases) and ukari/othkari (one who reclines comfortably) — describing divine ease that comes from omnipotence. The temple is architecturally complementary to the grander Varadaraja complex nearby; the two are often visited on the same morning circuit of Kanchipuram Divya Desams. The goddess consort is Komalavalli (Yathothkari Nachiyar). The tank in front of the temple is called the Ananta Saras, associated with the cosmic serpent Adi Shesha.

The legend holds that the great serpent Adisesha — Vishnu's couch — once requested to experience the earth directly, in a form that would allow him to carry the divine without being confined to the cosmic ocean. Vishnu consented and lay on Adisesha here on earth at this Kanchipuram site, making the serpent's earthly form the most sacred of all beds. The temple is thus considered the place where Adisesha's own liberation from the burden of supporting the cosmos was momentarily provided.