Temple - Ananta Padmanabeshwara Swami

Once Maha Periyava was looking at a map of Kanchipuram. He saw a temple marked as Anantapadmanabeshwara on one of the streets. He asked his disciples about the presence of the temple as they had walked along that same street several times, but had not seen the temple. None of his disciples could recollect seeing a temple there either.

Periyava, intent on locating the temple, went to the area marked on the map with his disciples. The

whole street had only residential dwellings. The temple was nowhere to be found. Periyava closed his eyes in meditation and stood for a while on the street. He then walked up to a particular house. He asked a disciple to knock on the door.

When the owner of the house opened the door, he was overjoyed to see Periyava and offered his salutations. Periyava straight away asked the owner if he would be willing to sell the house to the Math. The owner apologetically declined. Periyava asked him to think it over and added that if at any point he wished to sell the house, to contact Him directly.

Several years later the owner, Chandramouli Rao, approached Periyava as he had decided to sell the house in order to raise money for his son's surgery. Periyava blessed him for his part in a divine cause and blessed the child with a glorious life. He also offered them a place to stay at the Math itself.

Just then, Ganapati Sthapati (architect specialising in temple construction) arrived - as ordered by Periyava the previous day itself!!

Periyava asked Ganapati to circumambulate Kamakshi wearing wet clothes and then to go straight to Chandramouli Rao's house. Periyava also marked the exact spot within the house where Ganapati Sthapati was to excavate based on the house plans. Following Periyava's instructions, Ganapati reached the house, but was shocked to see that a septic tank stood in the place Periyava had marked. However, trusting Periyava's gyanam, he started work right away. Within 10 to 15 feet, they heard a metallic sound. The workers were instructed to dig carefully around the area. Soon, there emerged a beautiful sculpture of Lord Ananta Padmanabeshwara amidst the slush.

Ganapati Sthapati ran to the Math and stood bewildered and trembling in front of Periyava. Periyava needed no explanation and immediately started for the venue. Ganapati Sthapati tried to dissuade him as there was so much filth around. Periyava responded saying that if His creator had no objection to staying in that place for so many years, it would not bother him in the slightest either.

Periyava, upon reaching the place, bowed to the vigraham and stayed on till it was completely cleansed. Soon thereafter, a temple was consecrated and the vigraham was installed in it by Periyava. All the rituals were performed. The temple stands till date in Lingappa Street in Kanchipuram. The Lord, as 'Ananta Padmanabeshwara Swami', continues to shower His blessings on all.