DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 1st Vishnu Sthalam |
HISTORY:
Sri
Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchi is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord
Vishnu. The 12 Alwars had visited this holy abode of Lord Vishnu and sung
praising the glories of Athiyuran. The idol of Sri Varadarajar also known as
Athiyuran (Athi Maram) made of Fig Tree. The magnificent tower of 180 Ft built
in 11th century, was the contribution of King of Vijayanagara. The hundred
pillared Mandapam, paintings and carvings reveals the ethnic beauty and the
skilled craftsmanship. The Dravidian architectural style of this temple was
originated by the Cholas during the regime of Kulothunga Chola I and Vikrama
Chola. The temple is located on the top of Athigiri (Hasthigiri), one has to
climb 24 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Varadaraja. The huge idol
of Lord Varadaraja with Chathurbjua and Abhyahastha is facing west.
ThiruKachi Athigiri - Varadaraja Perumal temple is referred to as the ‘Perumal
Koil’ among Divya Desams. 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’. Varadaraja Perumal temple is on a 22
acre temple complex in Chinna (small) Kanchipuram on the Kanchipuram -
Chengalpet - Madras road. There are two big Gopurams - the Eastern Gopuram
built by Krishnadeva Raaya and the Western temple tower built by the Pallavas.
Later, several rulers contributed to the renovation of this temple. Several
beautiful sculptures can be seen at this temple.
The
legend has that, Lord Brahma desired for dharshan of Lord Sriman Narayana with
Shangu, Chakra, Gadha, ( Conch, Disc, Mace) / 'Chathurbuja Seva' and underwent
severe penance. Lord Narayana pleased at the devotion of Lord Brahma and gave
Him dharshan in the form of 'Pushkarani' (Theertham). Lord Brahma was not
satisfied, He continued His Tapasya, Lord Narayana appeared in the form of a
‘forest’, which was came to known as 'Naimisharanya'. At this point of time, an
unknown voice from the sky instructed Lord Brahma to perform hundred Ashwamedha
Yaga to get the Chathurbuja Seva of Lord Sriman Narayana as Sri Varadharaja.
Lord Brahma felt depressed at the thought of performing hundred Ashwamedha Yaga
and the requirement of time and efforts for it. As per the instruction of Lord
Sriman Narayana, performing one Ashwamedha Yaga at the scared land of Kanchi is
equvalent to thousand Ashwamedha Yaga, Lord Brahma began performing the Yagam
and Sri Varadharajar emerged out of the scared fire. Finally, Lord Brahma had
the Chathurbuja Seva of Sri Varadharajar as He was desired.
One can find the Azhagiya Singar (Lord Narasimhar) Sannidhi on the way to
Varadaraja Perumal Sannidhi. 24 steps from the Eastern side(entrance) leads one
to the Prakaram of the Varadaraja Perumal. Once into the Sannidhi, another few
steps takes one to the tall standing posture of VaradarajaPerumal, seen facing
the West.
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
idol 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.
Two
disciples of Gauthama Rishi used to fill water every day for their Guru. One
day, to their shock, they found a lizard jumping out when they placed the
tumbler in front of their Guru. An angry Rishi cursed the two for their
carelessness and they instantly turned into Lizards. The 2 disciples stayed
here at Kanchipuram as lizards until Indra came, as Elephant Gajendra, to
worship Varadarajan Perumal and relieved them from their curse.
In
memory of this, there is a golden lizard and a silver lizard outside the
Varadarajan Sannidhi. Belief is that one will be relieved of all diseases if
one prays to Lord Varadarajan and touches the Lizard on the way out.
A
debate took place in the court of the Devas as to which was more worthy –
‘Family life’ or “Life of a Sanyasi’. When they could not come to a conclusive
answer, the Devas looked to their preceptor, Brihaspathi for a final decision.
Brihaspathi pronounced that Sanyasin was better.
Angered
at this decision of not recognizing the difficulty of family life, Indra cursed
Brihaspathi to become a poor Brahmin with children. Leading this life,
Brihaspathi one day chased away a hungry dog which had come inside his house
and was cursed for not providing refuge to a hungry animal. And he was turned
into a dog.
The
Devas, by now, were feeling the absence of their preceptor. When Indra
approached Brahma to help get Brihaspathi back amongst them, he was asked to
accompany Brahma to ThiruKachi where Brihaspathi was already undertaking a
penance before Varadaraja Perumal. Answering their prayers, Lord Varadarajan is
said to have given Brihaspathi his original status and form.
As
Lord Vishnu accepted requests of everyone and gave what they wanted, he came to
be called ‘Varadar’(one who gives).
Aalavanthaan
met Ramanuja for the first time here in Kanchipuram. The story goes that
Ramanuja once lost his way in the Vindhya forest. Lord Varadarajan is said to
have appeared as a hunter and carried Ramanuja all the way to Kanchipuram. A
tired Varadarajan (the hunter) asked Ramanuja for water. When Ramanuja brought
water from the street well, he is said to have seen Lord Varadarajan, along
with the Goddess, disappear right in front of him into the temple sannidhi. To
this day, sacred water for Lord Varadarajan is brought from this street well.
ThiruKachi
Nambi used to ‘fan’ Lord Varadarajan to prevent the Lord from sweating under
the heat. It is believed that he also used to have daily interactions with the
Lord. Ramanuja, who was performing the daily rituals for Kanchi Varadaraja
Perumal, had to be moved to Srirangam to succeed Aalavanthan. ThiruKachi Nambi
is said to have got the permission from Varadarajan to allow Ramanuja to move
to Srirangam. Hence, Varadaraja Perumal is credited with the handing over of
Ramanuja to Srirangam.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Perarulalan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Perundevi |
|
Theertham |
Anandhasaras Theertham |
BELIEF:
People pray to permual
for achieving excellence in education and family welfare and prosperity.
Removes the obstacles in wedding proposals of the devotees.
Lord Atthi
Varadaraja Perumal, the original deity, made of the Atthi or the fig
tree and stored in an
underground chamber inside the temple tank is brought out for worship for 48
days, once every 40 years. The
festival was held from July 1 to Aug 17 in 2019 with much pomp and fanfare. The
next Athi Varadar festival will be held in 2059.
HOW
TO REACH:
Temple
town Kanchipuram is about 75kms from Madras. One can take the Madras- Bangalore
highway or Madras-Chengalpet route to reach Kanchipuram. There are 15 Divya
Desams (Vaishnavite temples) in Kanchipuram alone. Also, in Kanchipuram, are
two famous Saivite Temples- Ekaambareswar and Kamakshi Amman Temples. There is
a new railway station in Kanchipuram- the line has been recently converted to
broad gauge- with trains running between Chengalpet and Arakkonam. There are
also daily local trains between Madras and Kanchipuram via
Chengalpet.Kanchipuram is well connected by road with bus facilities to all parts
of Tamil Nadu.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Varadharaja Perumal
Thirukkoil,
Kancheepuram,
Tamil Nadu - 631501.
LOCATION:
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