Ashtabujakaram Sree Adi Kesava Perumal Temple is the One and only Divyadesam where the Almighty is blessing with His Eight Hands and the Only Divyadesam in Kanchipuram with Paramapadha Vasal ( Gateway to the Heaven ). Temple is located 2 KM from Kanchi Atthi Varadhar Divyadesam and just opposite to Thiruvekka Yathothkari Divyadesam. The Almighty is Blessing in Standing Posture facing East with Eight Hands holding a Conch, a Sword, a Lotus, an Arrow, a Sudharsana Chakra - The Discus , a Bow, a Shield and a Mace.

Ashtabujakaram Divyadesam - Sree Adi Kesava Perumal Temple - Only Kanchipuram Divyadesam with Paramapatha Vasal

Thayar is Blessing as Alarmelmangai, Padmasini and here Thayar is to be worshipped first prior to Gajendra Varadhan like Nachiyarkoil Divyadesam in Kumbakonam. To bring to an end of Aswamedha Yagam conducted by Lord Brahma, ( Refer Thirukachi Divyadesam Legend ) Goddess Sarswathi in her continuous struggle sent Sarabha, a peculiar type of a violent creature along with the asuras. To save Brahmadevar and his yagam, Paranthaman appeared in an unusual form with Eight Hand holding the weapons in all hands killed the asuras and suppressed Sarabha. Devotees can worship a Kali Temple near to this Divyadesam in mark of this event and as a proof. Gajemdra Moksham– Like the incidents happened in Thirukavithalam Divyadesam, it is also believed that here in this temple another Gajendra Moksham took place.

Once there was a Sage named Magasandha Muni underwent a penance to obtain powers as equal as Indran. By knowing this, Indran got annoyed and sent few asaurus to disturb the sage. But they were not even noticed by the sage. Dejected Indran sent Some Elephants and made them to enjoy themselves in front of the sage. Sage got tempted and took a form of an elephant and had the enjoyment with them and lost all his powers. After some time all the elephant were disappeared and the sage realized what happened. Since he lost all his powers he could not get back his original form. As an elephant he went to many temples seeking for the relief. When he reached Kothavari, he was asked to go to Kanchi to worship Ahtabjukarathan to obtain his original form. The day came for absolution. The elephant was caught by the crocodile in the temple tank when it came to pluck the lotus for worshipping Almighty. Govindhan is said to have hurled His Sudharshana Chakra and saved the elephant named Gajendran. Hence He is being worshipped as “Gajendra Varadhan”. Gajendran means an Elephant. The Crocdile which is believed that once he was a King named Indrajumnan and became Crocodile due to a curse by Sage Dhurvasar. He got rid of the curse, blessed by the Almighty and retained his original form as a king.