Sri Varadaraja perumal – Kancheepuram

Presiding : Deity Devarajan
Other name

: Varadarajar
Sannidhi : Athigiri
Reputation : Divyadesam
Vimanam (tower) : Punniyakoti
Mother : Goddess Perundevi
Holy tree: Arasu tree
Holy spring : Ananthasaras
District : Kancheepuram

Prayer:

Sri Varadarajaperumal KancheepuramThe devotee is blessed with knowledge and wisdom and family welfare. A prayer in the Chakarathazhwar or Sudharsana Azhwar Sannidhi brings solution to delayed marriages. They win ligations; get peace of mind and happiness in family, say those experiencing the grace of the Lord.

Mother Perundevi graces woman with complete cure of their physical problems. Those aspiring for a child pray to the Mother.

It is also believed that the Sun and the Moon in the temple in the form of gold and silver lizards relieve the devotees from the effects of lizards falling on them, the effects of the eclipses affecting them and ensure welfare. They also help the devotee get their desires fulfilled..

Prayer commitment:

Offering Tulsi garlands to the Lord, sari to mother, Sugar pudding as Nivedhana are considered important prayer commitments.

Reputation:

Sri Varadarajaperumal KancheepuramKancheepuram having Sri Varadaraja Perumal is very important among the Divya Desas. The lord graces the devotees in a standing position facing west.

The Lord came to be known as Varadaraja meaning that he gave the boon to Brahmma in recognition of his Yaga.

As the elephant Iravadha bore the Lord in the form of Mount, the place is also called Athigiri meaning Elephant Mount. When the devotee goes to the Athigiri Sannidhi, he/she must pass through the 24 steps representing the 24 philosophies of Gayatri Mahamantra. Athi means elephant and Giri mount.

Sages Narada and Bruhu, Brahmma, Adiseshan and Gajendra had the Darshan of the Lord in Kancheepuram. The Rajagopuram (Tower) is 96 feet tall. The 2000-year-old temple was renovated during the Pallava and Vijayanagara kings.

A historical fact: Celebrated Tamil novelist Chandilyan, in one of his novels mentions that Robert Clive, the Governor of East India Company sought the grace of Lord Varadaraja as advised by some elders when he was suffering from high fever. He prayed to the Lord. Sooner he was cured, he expressed his gratitude to the Lord by offering a diamond chain addressing him as Boon Giver God.

The Lizard story:

Two sons of sage Srungibera were the disciples of Sage Gautama. They brought water for the Puja of the Guru without noticing there were two lizards in the water. Gautama cursed them to become lizards. When they fell at the feet of the Guru and begged his pardon, he directed them to go to Kancheepuram for remedy. They journeyed to Kancheepuram through the Sapthapuris and reached their destination. The Lord told them that their bodies should be of Panchaloka and placed behind him. When devotees see them also while coming for His darshan will have lizard darshan also and that would ensure their salvation. This is a very important darshan that the visitor devotee should not miss.

Athi Varadar:

There are two mandaps in the tank north of 100-pillar mandap. There is also a mandap on the southern side below the water. Lord Athivaradaraja Perumal in this mandap is in a lying pose. This idol is made of wood. Once in forty years, the Lord is brought out of the water for worship of the people. Pujas are performed.

Chakarathazhwar:

Chakarathazwar, also called Sudharsanazhwar Sannidhi is on the eastern side. This is the biggest one in Tamilnadu. The Azhwar has 16 hands holding the conch and the wheel.

General Information:

The temple is in the heart of Kancheepuram. It is 75 kms from Chennai, 35 from Chengalpet and 30 from Arakonam.

There are number of lodges in Kancheepuram, the charges ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500.

Adequate bus facilities are available. Nearest railway station is Kancheepuram, the airport Chennai.

Festivals:

10 days Brahmmotsavam in the month of Vaikasi (May-June). The festival on the Poornima Visaka day is very famous drawing lakh of devotees. 10 days Navarathri in Purattasi (October-November) attracting huge crowd. Vaikunda Ekadasi, New year day, are also celebrated devotionally. There will be some festival in the temple every month.

Peyazhwar, Thirumangaiazhwar, Boothathazhwar, Sri Ramnuja, Thirukachi Nambi and Sri Manavala Mamuni had sung in praise of Varadaraja in their hymns.

History:

Brahmma performed a Yaga in Kanchi for purifying his mind. He performed the Yaga avoiding his consort Saraswathi but with other Devis Savithri and Gayathri. Knowing the design of Brahmma, Saraswathi took the form of river Vegavathi and tried to flow on the Yaga to destroy it. Brahmma sought the help of Vishnu. Lord Vishnu came there and laid himself across the river in his birthday suit and prevented the flood. The Yaga was completed and Varadarajaperumal appeared from the Yaga flames. The consort of Varadarajaperumal is Perundevi. The 24 steps can reach Athigiri.