Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Nethaji Nagar, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501,Phone: 044 2726 9773

Deity

Varadaraja Perumal (Vishnu), Amman: Perundevi Thayaar (Lakshmi)

Introduction

• Location: Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
• Deity: Vishnu as Varadharaja Perumal
• Consort: Perundevi Thayar
• Theertham: Anantha Theertham
• Temple Tower: Punyakoti Vimanam, Kalyana Koti Vimanam
• Significance: One of the 108 Divya Desams, visited by the Alwars
• Historical Connection: Associated with Ramanuja, a great scholar of Vaishnava Vishishtadvaita philosophy
• Area: 23-acre (93,000 m²) with 3 outer precincts (Azhwar Prakaram, Madai Palli Prakaram, Thiru Malai Prakaram)
• Shrines: 32 shrines, 19 vimanams (towers), 389 pillared halls, sacred tanks

Puranic Significance

• Inscriptions: Over 350 inscriptions from dynasties like Chola, Pandya, Kakatiya, Vijayanagara
• Key Legends:
  • Indra’s Curse: Vishnu relieves Indra, the king of celestial deities, from a curse, transforming him into an elephant
  • Brahma’s Yagna: Vishnu saves Brahma’s yagna by laying flat to halt the river’s flow, emerging as Varadharajaswamy
  • Saraswati’s Curse: Vishnu helps reverse the curse of Saraswati, leading to the appearance of Hastagiri (mountain in the form of an elephant)
  • Devaraja Perumal: The main idol is considered equivalent to Athi Varadaraja Perumal, an ancient deity from the nearby Narashima temple
  • Lizards’ Curse: The curse of disciples of Sage Gautama turned into lizards, which were relieved at the temple
• Historical Legends:
  • Thirukkachi Nambigal’s Seva: A devotee who would bring flowers from Poovirundhavalli for daily worship
  • Ramanuja’s Devotion: Lord Varadharaja answered Ramanuja’s six questions through Thirukkachi Nambigal

Belief

• Worship Practices:
  • Education and family welfare: Prayers for success in education, prosperity, and family well-being
  • Marriage and Health: Devotees seek blessings for marriage proposals, mental peace, and health problems
  • Golden/Silver Lizards: Prayers for relief from misfortunes caused by real lizards falling on the body
  • Common Offerings: Tulsi garlands, vastras, Sarkarai Pongal (sweet pudding)
  • Lord Sudarshana Azhwar removes obstacles in wedding proposals

Special Features

• Hillock: The temple is situated on Hastagiri Hill, which is 360m long and 240m wide
• Temple Architecture:
  • Main Sanctum: Faces west with a 130-feet-tall, 7-tiered rajagopuram (main tower)
  • Solar Miracle: The rays of the Sun fall on the deity’s idol on the 15th day after Chitra Purnima
  • Stone Chain: An architectural marvel sculpted from a single stone
  • 100 Pillared Hall: Features sculptures from Ramayana and Mahabharata
  • Underwater Wooden Image: Wooden Varadarajaswamy idol made from Atthi (fig) tree is preserved underwater and brought out every 40 years
  • Narashima Shrine: Mysterious Narasimha mask believed to have inexplicable powers
• Religious History:
  • Thirumangai Azhwar: Donated all his wealth for the temple’s construction
  • Thirukkachi Nambigal’s Devotion: Known for daily worship, even conversing with Lord Varadaraja in his old age
  • Ramanuja’s Escape: Saved from a plot against him, he later visited the temple to establish Vaishnava philosophy

Festivals

• Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam: 10-day festival beginning on Poornima-Vishaka star day
• Purattasi Navarathri: 10-day celebration
• Vaikunda Ekadasi: Observed in December-January
• Monthly Festivals: The temple celebrates various festivals throughout the year, with large crowds of devotees participating in these events

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Kanchipuram

Nearest Railway Station

Kanchipuram

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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