Varadaraja Perumal Temple

Overview

Varadharaja Perumal Temple or Hastagiri or Attiyuran is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in the holy city of Kanchipuram, Tamil nadu, India. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu believed to have been visited by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars. It is located in part of Kanchipuram called the Vishnu Kanchi that is a home for a lot of famous Vishnu temples, including this one. One of the greatest Hindu scholars of Vaishnava VisishtAdvaita philosophy, Ramanuja is believed to have resided in this temple.The temple along with Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram is called Mumurtivasam or abode of trio. While Srirangam is referred to as 'The Koil' and Tirupathi as the 'Malai' among Divya Desams, Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple is known as the 'Perumal Koil'. This is one of the most sacred places for Vaishnavites. Varadaraja Perumal temple is on a 22acre temple complex in Chinna (small) Kanchipuram on the Kanchipuram – Chengalpet -Madras road.

The glory of Lord of the temple is sung by noted Vaishnava Saints Peyazhwar, Boothathazhwar, Tirumangai Azhwar, Acharya Sri Ramanuja, Tirukachi Nambi and Sri Manavala Mamunigal. Narada, Brigu, Lord Brahma, Adikesan Gajendran had the darshan of Lord Perumal in this consecrated temple. The rajagopuram of the temple is 96 feet tall. The temple's vestige backpedals past 2000 years. The temple was revamped by Pallava and Vijainagar offer Tulsi laurels and vastras to Lord and Mother. They offer sweet pudding – Sarkarai Pongal – nivedhiyam. Deity is Lord Varadarajan, Standing Posture facing West Goddess is Perundevi Thaayar facing East(Separate Sannidhi)

About the Temple

Theerthams around this spot. At the point when God in his Tiruvikrama structure secured the whole earth with one foot and the other foot secured the Brahma loka, Brahma washed the awesome feet. The water with which he washed the feet This is known as Chakra theertham. It is trusted that when Indra was reviled by Durvasa and he lost his kingdom and his riches, he resulted in these present circumstances Chakra theertham and revered Tiruvikrama and recovered his kingdom through the gifts of Perumal.

Yet another theertham here is known as Sanku theertham. Guhan supplicated here and had darshan of Vasudeva. Close to this theertham are, Pindasthana and runamosana theerthams and both are unique for petitions to God to the pitrus i.e. ancestors.

Yet another theertham is known as Karga theertham. It is trusted that Brahma did his repentance and acknowledged Tiruvikrama on the banks of Akasa Ganga theertham. There is another theertham here called, Varsha theertham where Parasurama did profound atonement, disposed of the his transgression coming about because of the kshatriya vadha done by him before. Agasthiya theertham where sage Agasthiya muni did atonement and had the darshan of the Lord. There are two more theerthams here known as Kavala theertham and Mirukandu theertham. The Krishnabadra waterway which is presently known as Pennai stream, exudes from Sahya Parvatham and is said to be the Ganga theertham with which Brahma washed the feet of Ulagalanda Perumal.

The temple has a substantial number of engravings. The most vital is the record if the sixth year of Rajendaradeva II. One of his or this territory, Narasimhavarman, pulled down the old blocks which were breaking and revamped the focal hallowed place totally of fine dark stone. He ront mandapa. He likewise displayed the focal divinity an overhang of pearls. After the development, he engraved the dividers with genuine duplicates of records found on the dividers of the prior structure.

There are a lot of different engravings that record numerous endowments from different rulers, for example, Kulottunga I, Vikrama Pandya, Kulottunga III, Rajendra Chola I, Saluva Deva Narasinga Maharaja, Chakravartin Rajarajadeva, Rajaraja Chediyarayan, Immadi Narasa Nayak, to give some examples. sanctuaries both Vaishnava and Saiva factions, was before a capital of an imperative chieftain Malayaman of Sangam age datable to third century BCE to third century CE. To prove this, a Tamil Brahmi engraving at Jambai (close Tirukkovilur ) notice about the ruler Athiyaman Neduman Anchi as Sathiya Puto Atiyan Neduman Anjihi Itta Pali. Malaiyaman Tirumudikkari was the renowned leader of this line. The Sangam works talk about the attack of Tirukkoilur and annihilation of Malayaman Tirumudikkari by Neduman Anji, ruler of Takadur (cutting edge Dharmapuri) why should said have offered Avvaiyar, the praised poetess (of that period), a myrobalan (gooseberry) natural product to build her life span.

Tirukkoilur appears to have been as imperative a religious focus as Kanchipuram in Tondaimandalam. There is adequate confirmation to demonstrate that Vaishnavism, Saivism and Jainism had prospered at this middle. It is said the Mudal Alvars, the initial three Alvars, (Poigai, Butham and Pei) were made to meet by the finesse of Almighty in one spot at Tirukkoilur and in euphoria they sang ballads on Ulagalanda perumal; these tunes were known as Divyaprabhandam. The directing divinity of the temple Tiruvikrama Perumal is still a wooden picture and this holds its old character.

About the Deity

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Varadharajar. Other names of the Perumal are Perarulalan, Devathirajan, DevaPerumal. Moolavar in Standing position facing his thirumugham towards West direction. Prathyaksham for Brighu Muni, Naaradhar, Aadhisesan, Brahman, Gajendran. The Thaayar of this sthalam is Perundevi Thaayar.

Legend and Stories

Azhagiya Singar (Lord Narasimhar) Sannidhi while in transit to Varadaraja Perumal Sannidhi. 24 stages from the Eastern side(entrance) drives one to the Prakaram of the Varadaraja Perumal. Once into the Sannidhi, another few stages takes one to the tall standing stance of VaradarajaPerumal, seen confronting the West. Two supporters of Gauthama Rishi used to fill water consistently for their Guru. One day, to their stun, they discovered a reptile bouncing out when they put the tumbler before their Guru. A furious Rishi reviled the two for their indiscretion and they in a flash transformed into Lizards. The 2 pupils stayed here at Kanchipuram as reptiles until Indra came, as Elephant Gajendra, to worship Varadarajan Perumal and eased them from their condemnation.

In memory of this, there is a brilliant reptile and a silver reptile outside the Varadarajan Sannidhi. Conviction is that one will be assuaged of all sicknesses if one goes to Lord Varadarajan and touches the Lizard in transit out. A verbal confrontation occurred in the court of the Devas as to which was more commendable – 'Family life' or "Life of a Sanyasi'. When they couldn't go to a convincing reply, the Devas looked to their preceptor, Brihaspathi for an official choice. Brihaspathi proclaimed that Sanyasin was better.

Irritated at this choice of not perceiving the trouble of family life, Indra reviled Brihaspathi to turn into a poor Brahmin with kids. Driving this life, Brihaspathi one day pursued away a ravenous puppy which had come inside his home and was reviled for not giving shelter to an eager creature. What's more, he was transformed into a canine.

The Devas, at this point, were feeling the nonappearance of their preceptor. At the point when Indra drew closer Brahma to help get Brihaspathi back amongst them, he was requested that go with Brahma to ThiruKachi where Brihaspathi was at that point undertaking an atonement before Varadaraja Perumal. Noting their supplications to God, Lord Varadarajan is said to have given Brihaspathi his unique status and form.accepted solicitations of everybody and gave what they needed, he came to be called story goes that Ramanuja once lost his way in the Vindhya woodland. Ruler Varadarajan is said to have showed up as a seeker and conveyed Ramanuja the distance to Kanchipuram. A tired Varadarajan (the seeker) approached Ramanuja for water. At the point when Ramanuja brought water from the road well, he is said to have seen Lord Varadarajan, alongside the Goddess, vanish directly before him into the temple sannidhi. Right up 'til today, hallowed water for Lord Varadarajan is brought from this road well.

Festivals

The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Varadharajar. Other names of the Perumal are Perarulalan, Devathirajan, DevaPerumal. Moolavar in Standing position facing his thirumugham towards West direction. Prathyaksham for Brighu Muni, Naaradhar, Aadhisesan, Brahman, Gajendran. The Thaayar of this sthalam is Perundevi Thaayar.

Prasadam

Kanchipuram Idli is a special prasadam available in temple. It is a huge Idli which is added with spices. Other Prasadams are also available.

Accommodation Facilities at the Temple

It is Not difficult to find quality accommodation in kanchipuram. Most of the lodges are situated near the city bus stand.Some guesthouses also provide basic facilities, and a peasful environment to the travelers . There are good hotel accommodations available in Kanchipuram are known for their traditional warmth and hospitality.

Significance

People pray to Perumal for achieving excellence in education and family welfare and prosperity. Lord Sudarshana Azhwar removes the obstacles in wedding proposals of the devotees. They also succeed in court cases and gain mental peace. Women facing health problems and seeking child boon pray to Mother Perundevi Thayar. Devotees also pray to the golden and silver lizards in the temple for relief from any untoward happening due to the fall of real lizards on their body. The prayer also brings them mental peace, safety and success in their endeavours. Brahma visits Lord Varadarajan once a year. Belief is that Brahma comes here once a year on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Chitrai (April-May) -around mid night- for a darshan of Varadarajan. On this day, it is the practice for the priests to place food inside the sanctum and to wait outside for 24 minutes. At the end of this, the food is said to smell sweeter. For 15 days succeeding this (after the full moon day in Chitrai), Sun’s rays fall directly on Lord Varadarajan at the time of dusk. (At SriVaikuntam- Nava Tirupathi-, Sun’s rays fall directly on Lord Vaikuntanathan on two days (April-May and October-November period) every year.) During the Muslim invasion, the moolavar deity (Lord Varadarajan) is said to have been damaged. As a damaged deity could not be worshipped, it was immersed in the temple tank. The moolavar that we see today at Kanchipuram was brought from Pazhaya Seevaram, about 20kms from Kanchipuram. In memory of this, the Utsava archa-vigraha of Lord Varadarajan is taken on a procession once a year, during the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) to Pazhaya Seevaram. Lord Narasimha is also taken on a procession to Keezh Seevaram during the Sankaranthi period (Kanu). The original moolavar of Lord Varadarajan which was immersed in the temple tank – Athi Varadan- is taken out once in 40 years and placed outside for public worship for a period of 10 days. This event took place last in 1979 and the next one is slated for 2019. Every Friday, Goddess Perundevi Thaayar goes out on a procession within the prakaram(Goddess does not leave the temple premises). Lord Varadarajan goes on a street procession every month on Pancha Paravam days. When this falls on a Friday, the Lord goes out on a street procession with the Goddess waiting at the Main Gopuram for Lord Varadarajan to return. From the main gopuram, Lord Varadarajan and Perundevi Thaayar come back together and both proceed to the garden behind Sudhasaran sannidhi for the devotees to offer their worship. The street procession of Lord Varadarajan on Garuda mount in the tamil month of Vaikaasi is one of the most popular festivals here at Kanchipuram. During winter, Lord Varadarajan wears a sweater to protect him from cold. Sacred bath for the Lord during this period take place with hot water/milk. On Navarathri (all days) and Theppotsavam festival days, Lord and Goddess are seen together within the temple prakaram. Thirumangai Azhvaar, BhootathAzhvaar and PeyAzhvaar have praised Lord Varadarajan. Kanchipuram is the birth place of Poigai Azhvaar and Vedantha Desigan. It was here that ThirumangaiAzhvaar was given money for the construction/renovation of the Srirangam temple.

Vedantha Desikar( of Thoopal) visits Varadaraja Perumal once a year during the month of Puratasi(Sept-Oct). This is the only Divya Desam, where Desikar enters the Sanctum of Lord Varadaraja. No other Azhvaar has this privilege.

Accessibility

Airport

Chennai is the nearest airport to kanchipuram.

Railways

Train for Kanchipuram are available from, Chennai, Chengalpettu,Tirupati and Bangalore.

Road

Kanchipuram is 75 kilometers away from Chennai and is well connected by a Network of roads with the other important towns and cities of Tamil Nadu.

Temple Address

Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple,
Nethaji Nagar,Kanchipuram,
Tamil Nadu – 631501.