Sri Ashtabujakaram Temple

Sri Ashtabujakaram Temple in Kanchipuram is a distinctive Divya Desam where the presiding deity, Sri Ashtabuja Perumal, appears in a rare eight-armed form — "Ashta" (eight) and "Buja" (arms) — holding the Shankha, Chakra, Gadha, Sword, Shield, Bow, Arrow, and Lotus simultaneously. This extraordinary iconographic form represents the Lord's complete sovereignty and His readiness to protect devotees from all directions. Thirumangai Azhwar praised this temple in his Periya Thirumozhi, marveling at the Lord's resplendent multi-armed form. Thirumazhisai Azhwar, born in Thondai Nadu and deeply connected to Kanchipuram, also venerated this shrine. The temple exemplifies the Pallava dynasty architectural tradition of Kanchipuram, with refined stone carvings and a compact yet deeply sacred atmosphere typical of the many Vishnu shrines clustered in this ancient temple city.