Adi Varaha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram: History and Timings

There is another divya desam in Kanchipuram on the premises of Kamakshi Amman Temple. It is in the prakaram of the temple of Goddess Kamakshi. Here, God can be seen with all four hands, almost like a sculpture on a rock near Goddess Kamakshi’s holy place. The Lord is looking east.

Adi Varaha Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

It is said that Lord Vishnu came out of the milky ocean in the shape of a tortoise (Kurmam), carrying the rock Mandara on its back. He looked like Sve-Tavarna in color. Halahala, the poison that came out of the ocean when it was stirred, turned his body dark. Being known for having a golden skin tone, Goddess Lakshmi is said to have looked at Vishnu and told him that his dark skin made him no match for her.
The Lord was angry about this slight and cursed her to lose her beauty right away.Then, it is said that Goddess Lakshmi prayed to Goddess Kamakshi in Kanchi to bless her and bring back her lost beauty. Goddess Kamakshi told her to stay to the left of Her sannidhi, which is in the Gayatri mandapam, and that all the devotees who receive kumkuma prasadam at Kamakshi shrine would give it to Goddess Lakshmi. Because the kumkuma prasadam works so well, she would get her beautiful complexion back. In return, she asked Goddess Lakshmi to bring all good things to the people who worshipped her. So, over time, Goddess Lakshmi got back to her beautiful form. She changed from Aroopa Lakshmi to Saundarya Lakshmi. At the same time, Lord Vishnu was sad that He had cursed His wife for something that she probably said without giving it much thought. Hence, he set out to find Her. He was happy to see Her in Gayatri Mandapam, looking as beautiful as she always was. Dess Lakshmi recognized the Lord as He sneaked up on her and called Him “Kalva,” which means “the lovable thief.” This is the story of why the Lord is called Kalvar here.