Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple

Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple, also known as Thirupadagam, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in his form as Pandava Thoothar in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu. Located in the Thirupadagam locality near Ekambareswarar Temple, it is one of the 108 Divya Desams revered by the Alvars. The temple is noted for its large 25-foot seated Krishna image, Dravidian architecture, and association with Mahabharata legend where Krishna served as messenger for the Pandavas.

Visitors can expect a traditional South Indian temple complex with Dravidian architecture, gopuram, pillared mandapas and a large sanctum housing a 25-foot seated image of Lord Krishna as Pandava Thoothar. The temple is located in a residential temple neighbourhood of Kancheepuram, with a relatively quiet courtyard for darshan, prayer and circumambulation. Shrines for Rukmini and Satyabhama are also present within the complex.

The temple is traditionally associated with the Pallava period with later contributions from Cholas and Vijayanagara rulers. It is linked to the Mahabharata episode where Lord Krishna acted as Thoothar (messenger) for the Pandavas to the Kauravas. The temple is revered as Thirupadagam and is mentioned in the hymns of the Alvars.

The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred Vishnu temples glorified by the Alvar saints in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham. It is dedicated to Krishna as Pandava Thoothar and is an important Vaishnavite pilgrimage site in Kancheepuram, one of the seven sacred cities for Hindus. Annual festivals such as Krishna Jayanthi and Vaikunta Ekadasi are observed.