Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram is dedicated to Lord Vishnu which is located in Vishnu Kanchi. This temple was built in 25 acres of Land. Varadaraja who is referred to as the king of Devas is a boon-giver. This temple is one of 108 Divya Desams (holy abodes) of Lord Vishnu.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram Legends

As per the legends, Lord Brahma performed Yajna here to purify himself with His consorts Gayatri and Savitri by ignoring Goddess Saraswathi. Goddess Saraswathi became enraged by this and attempted to flood the entire area with high tides in the form of Vegavathi, a swift-moving river. On the request of Lord Brahma, Lord Maha Vishnu laid himself in a reclining position to check the floods. When Lord Brahma’s Yajna was concluded, Lord Vishnu emerged dazzling with the sparkling of a thousand suns from the Yajna fire. Iravath (God Indra’s vehicle) lifted Lord Varadaraja as a mount, the Athi mount. There are 24 steps to Atthigiri Temple.

Atti Varadaraja Swamy Kanchipuram

It is thought that Brahma established the original idol of Lord Varadaraja (Atti Varadaraja Swamy), which is housed in a silver casket within the temple pond. It is only removed once every forty years for devotees of Darshan. This is a fascinating feature of the temple. According to mythology, Lord Brahma cursed the celestial builder Visvakarma to have him create a wooden statue of Lord Varadaraja. It became the temple’s presiding god once he dedicated it. The idol that appeared from Lord Brahma’s sacrifice fire was known as the Utsavamurti. The name Adi Hastigirinathar referred to the wooden idol that Lord Brahma had dedicated. The wooden idol was placed within a silver casket and submerged in Anantasaras Pushkarani since it was believed that if it was left out in the open and different sevas were performed on it, it would deteriorate. A granite idol was erected as the Moolavar in its place. Even now, the original wooden idol is removed from the holy pond once every forty years so that worshipers can see the consecrated idol at least once in their lifetime.

The wooden idol in the silver casket is taken out of the tank and placed in the Vasanta mandapam for one Mandalam, or forty-five to forty-eight days after the water has been entirely drained out of it. It is once more placed inside the casket and submerged in a tiny enclosure within the Anantasaras tank after the Mandalam. When this Atti Varadhar was removed in 1979.
It is reported that rain starts to fall as soon as the wooden idol is placed inside the tank’s enclosure, filling it up. Even in these very intelligent and scientifically advanced times, we must accept these mysterious actions of God with respect.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram History

The Chola kings constructed this temple in 1053 AD, and between 1075 and 1135 AD, Chola King Kulutthunga Chola I and the Vikram Cholas expanded it. Later, the temple was renovated by Vijayanagar Kings in the 12th century A.D.  This temple has four Prakarams and two huge Gopuras. The main entrance, Raja Gopuram (Temple Tower), is 96 feet tall.

The main deity, Lord Varadaja, is in standing posture, facing west, and holding Sanku (conch), Chakra (disc), Gada (club), and Padma (lotus) with his four hands. It is said that the present main deity of Lord Varadaraja was sculpted out of rock here after the original wooden idol of Atthi Varadaraja was damaged a hundred years ago. Once every 40 years, the Athi Varadaraja Idol will be taken out in a procession.

The 100-pillared mandap, which comes on the left after passing Raja Gopuram, is eye-catching with beautiful sculptures.

Kanchipuram Golden and Silver Lizard

Two disciples of Sage Gautham used to fill Pooja vessel regularly with water. One day, a lizard fell into the Pooja vessel which was filled with water. Unknowingly, disciples placed this vessel in front of the sage. Gautham Rishi noticed the lizard in the vessel while offering prayers to the Lord. Sage angered for their disciples’ ignorance and cursed them to become lizards.

Two disciples traveled to Kanchipuram and stayed there for a considerable amount of time as lizards on the Sage’s advice. Disciples were relieved of their curse after praying to Lord Varadaraja. Disciples attained salvation but their mortal coil remained here. It is believed that whoever prays to Lord Varadaja and touches these two lizards on their way out will be relieved of all chronic diseases.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple Timings

• Morning Hours: 6 a.m.–12 p.m.
• Evening Hours: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
• Entry fee for 100 pillared Mantap: Rs.5
• For Photography: Rs.50
• For Video shooting: Rs. 100

How to reach Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram?

1. The temple is 112 km from Tirupati. A direct bus to Kanchipuram is available from Tirupati Central Bus Station at regular intervals
2. Temple is 3.6 km from Kanchipuram bus station
3. Temple is 4.8 km from Kanchipuram Railway station

Interesting Places Near Varadaraja Perumal Temple

1. Ekambareswarar Temple is 4.8 km away.
2. Kailasanathar Temple is 5.2 km away
3. Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple is 2.9 km away.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram

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