.png "Thiru Kacchi | Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple | Kanchipuram | Divya Desams - 43")
About the Temple & Location:
Architecture:
Specials:
Kanchipuram is said to be one of the major cities in South India, where lots of Saivam and Vaishnava temples are found. Kanchipuram is situated in Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu. It is about 70 kms away from Chennai. With lots of frequencies, bus services available and lodging facilities too are available.
Built way back in the 10th century by the rulers of the Vijayanagar dynasty, the temple is famous for its monumental 1,000 pillared halls inside that are called the Kalyanamandapam. Each of these pillars reiterates the life of Lord Vishnu through its intricate and beautiful carvings that adorn it. One of the other features of this temple that makes it so popular among travelers is a humongous-sized chain that has been carved out of a single slab of granite. Besides, the temple is believed to house fire corridors within it.
Varadaraja Perumal Temple is huge within a 23-acre (93,000 m2) complex and shows the architectural skills of ancient Vishwakarma Sthapathis in temple architecture and is famous for its holiness and ancient history. The temple has 3 outer precincts (prakarams) namely Azhwar Prakaram, Madai Palli Prakaram and Thiru Malai Prakaram. There are 32 shrines, 19 vimanas, 389 pillared halls (most having the lion type yali sculpture), and sacred tanks some of which are located outside the complex.
The main sanctum faces west and can be entered through a 130 feet tall, 7-tiered raja gopuram (main gateway tower). The eastern gopuram is taller than the western gopuram, which is contrasting to large temples where the raja gopuram is the tallest one. One of the most famous architectural pieces in the temple is the huge stone chain sculpted in a single stone. There is a 100 pillared hall that has sculptures depicting Ramayana and Mahabaratha. It is a masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture.
The shrine of Varadarajaswamy is on a small hillock 10m tall and a flight of 24 steps, termed “Hasthagiri”. It has murals of the late Vijayanagara Empire on the ceiling. Other significant features of the temple are beautifully carved lizards and gilded with gold, over the sanctum. The vimana over the sanctum of Varadaraja Swami is called Punyakoti Vimanam and the one over Perundevi Thayar shrine is called Kalyana Koti Vimanam.
Apart from the main stone idol, the Varadaraja Perumal temple has the wooden image of Varadarajaswamy preserved within a silver box from which water is pumped out every 40 years. There is a shrine of Narasimha on the hillock. The origin of the mask of Narasimha is mysterious and believed to possess inexplicable powers.
In the second precinct downstairs contains four shrines, of which the important one is of Malayala Nachiar (Kerala consort), presumably built during the Chera kings in the early 14th century.
The third precinct has the shrine of Goddess Perundevi Thayar – it is customary for devotees to visit the shrine first before visiting the main Perumal shrine. There are four small pillared halls, identical in structure, called Thulabara Mandapas built in 1532 for a ceremony of Achutaraya of the Vijayanagara empire.
History:
There is a belief that the temple was first built by the Pallava king Nandivarman II. Varadharaja Perumal Temple was originally built by the Cholas in 1053 and it was expanded during the reigns of the great Chola kings Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola. In the 14th century, another wall and a gopura were built by the later Chola kings. When a Mughul invasion was expected in 1688, the main image of the deity was sent to Udayarpalayam, now part of the Tiruchirapalli District. It was brought back with greater difficulty after the involvement of a local preceptor who enlisted the services of general Todarmal. Robert Clive, the British general during the colonial period visited the Garuda seva festival and presented a valuable necklace (now termed Clive Maharkandi), which is adorned during a special occasion every year.
The Legend is that Lord Brahma performed a Yaga in Hasthigiri, 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 the 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 Lord Vishnu emerged from the Yaga flames and gave darshan as an Archavatharamoorthi to the desire of Brahma. The Lord is therefore called ‘Hasthigirinath’ and ‘Varadaraja Perumal ‘. The burn-marks caused by the flames could be seen even today in the refulgent face of the Utsavamoorthy, the processional deity. The Lord is self-manifest (Svvayam-vyakta) and not installed by any being, divine or human.
The name Hastigiri is applied in the association of Gajendra moksham and from the myth that Indra’s elephant Airavatam, in the form of a hill bears the image of Lord Vishnu. The name Attiyurar emerges from the ritual, and the original image of Varadaraja Perumaal here was made from Attimaram.
Sthlapuranam :
Lord Brahma devan wanted to get the darshan of Sriman Narayanan in Chathur Bhujam (with four hands) and because of this, he did a tapas towards him. First, the Perumal gave his seva in the form of Theertham, Which is now called “Pushkaram”. Next, he gave the seva in the form of Forest, which is now called “Naimisaranyam”. But still, Lord Brahma was not satisfied. At that time, he heard an Asarari (an unknown voice from heaven) which said that to get the darshan of Sri Varadharajar, he must do the great Ashwametha yagam (Sathya viradam) for hundred times. But, Lord Brahma felt so depressed that doesn't have the time nor the patience to perform 100 Ashwametha yagam. Finally, as per Sriman Narayanan, he performed one Ashwametha yagam which is equivalent to 100 Ashwametha yagam. It is said that doing one Ashwametha yagam in Kanchipuram is equivalent to 100 times of doing Ashwametha yagam somewhere else.
Brahma devan started the yagam and from the fire of the yagam, Sri Varadharajar came out and gave his darshan in which way Lord Brahma wanted.
Ka – means Brahma and Anjitham – means who was worshipped. Since Brahma worshipped Emperumaan as Varadharajar, this sthalam is called “Kanchi”. The temple is situated in Vishnu Kanchi which is also known as “Chinna (or) Little Kanchipuram” and in the Big (or) Shiva Kanchipuram, all Shiva temples are found.
Ayodhya’s King Sakaranis, son Asamanjan and his wife as a result of the curse (Sabham), were changed to Lizards and as a result of worshipping Kanchi Varadharajar as said by Ubamanyu, they two got their original positions. Both these two lizards can be seen in this sthalam in a small sannadhi. It is said that by touching these lizards, all kinds of problems and diseases are cured. Still, now all the bhaktas come to this temple and worship these lizards to get their problems cured.
It is said that the Narasimhar Sannadhi is the first sannadhi to be built.
The theertham of this sthalam is “Sesha theertham” and is found along the north side of Nootrukkal Mandapam (100 pillared Mandapam). All along this theertham, Aadhiseshan did tapas.
When Udayavar Ramanujar lived in Kanchipuram, he worshipped and did Thirumanjanam (the divine bath for the Perumal) and for this, he used to get the water from the well which is 2 miles away. He was awarded the name “Ethiraja Maamuni” by Sri Varadharaja Perumal Himself when he became the Saint.
When talking about Udayavar Ramanujar, his student and followers Koorathalwar’s Guru bhakti (respecting and doing the needful for his teacher (or) Guru) has to be explained.
Once in the Chozha empire, Nallooran, who was one of the members of that empire, was against Vaishnavam and because of this, ordered to pluck off Sri Ramanujar’s eyes. But, Koorathalwar for his Guru, asked that his eyes can be taken off and not his Guru’s eyes. Then he sang a great devotional poem named “Varadharajasthavam” on Sri Kanchi Varadharajar in his sannadhi. At that time, Sri Varadharajar gave his seva and asked him what he wanted. But, Koorathalwan said that he doesn't need Oonakkan (Ordinary human eyes) instead, he needs the Gnanakkan (Eyes which have a broader vision of good thought) so that he can be able to spread Vaishnava. This is one of the said stories when talking about the sthalapuranam.
When talking about Kanchi Vardar, the Garuda seva is one of the special vaghanam during Brahmotsavam in vaikasi month.
Bhaktas can enter the temple through Punniyakoti Vimaanam, which is 200 height x 800 width and fully surrounded by huge walls. After entering we can find Nootrukkal mandapam (Mandapam with 100 pillars) which has extraordinary sculptures on each pillar and a chain made up of stone can be seen. Behind this mandapam, we can find the Pushkarani.
Azhagiya singar – Narasimhar is found along with Arithra Devi Thayar and his Sannadhis Vimaanam is (cave) Gugha Vimanam.
Festivals:
The annual Bhramotsavam is celebrated for 10 days in the month of Vaikasi (May-June). The festival on the Poornima Visaka day is very famous drawing lakh of devotees. 10 days of Navratri in Purattasi (October-November) attract huge crowds. Vaikunda Ekadasi, New Year's day, Adhyayana Utsavam during Margazhi are also celebrated devotionally. There will be some festivals in the temple every month. During Chitra Pournami and Pongal, the idol is taken out to neighboring areas. Garuda Seva and Rath Yatra are also very famous.
Garuda Utsavam is celebrated at Varadaraja Perumal temple three times a year. The first one is during the Brahmotsavam. The second one is celebrated in the month of Ani on the day with the asterism ‘Swathi’ the birth star of Periyazhwar. The third one known as Gajendramoksha Garudaseva is celebrated on the full moon day of the month Adi. The car festival of Sri Varadaraja is also very famous and at times it takes more than a day for the sacred car to come back to its normal place.
Birthplace of Vedantha Desikar.
Atthi Varadhar – Once in every 40 years he is taken out from the pond and grand poojas are done during that period.
Garuda Seva, which is a grand utsavam (festival) done in Vaikasi month is said to be the most and special Festival here.
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Varadharajar. Other names of the Perumal are Perarulalan, Devathirajan, DevaPerumal. Moolavar is in a Standing position facing his thirumugham towards the West direction. Prathyaksham for Brighu Muni, Naaradhar, Aadhisesan, Brahman, Gajendran.
The Thaayar of this sthalam is Perundevi Thaayar.
Sannadhis:
01. Garudan.
02. Kugai Narasimar.
03. Yoga Narsimar and Chakkarathaalwar in a single sannadhi.
04. Perundevi Thaayar.
05. Sri Ranganaathar.
06. Sri Ramar.
07. Ananthaalwan.
08. Thanvanthri.
09. Sri Krishnar.
10. Sri Adal.
Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangai Alwar – 4 Paasurams
Bhoodhathalwar- 2 Paasurams
Pei Alwar – 1 Paasuram
Total – 7 Paasurams
Aalavanthaar, Thirukachinambi, Udayavaar, Koorathazhvaan, Vedantha Desikar, Manavala Maamuni also did Mangalasasanam.
Pushkarani:
Vegavadhi Nadhi.
Anantha Saras.
Sesha, Varaga, Padma, Agni, Kusala, Brahma Theertham.
Vimanam:
Punyakoti Vimanam
Temple Prayer Time:
The Varadaraja Perumal temple is open to the devotees offering prayers from 6 am to 12.00 in noon and from 4.00 pm to 9.30 pm. Four devotion services are offered here by priests who are said to be descendants of Yagna Valkyar.
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