Sri Varadaraja Perumal Koil - Kanchipuram

Location

This temple is located in Chinna Kanchipuram which is also called as Vishnu Kanchi.
Varadaraja Perumal koil is one of 108 divya desams , where one of the 12 Alwars had visited the temple. This temple is located approx 3 kms from Kanchipuram busstand towards chengalpet.

Timing

The temple is open from 6 AM to 12 PM and then 4 PM to 8 PM. After 11 PM , there is an entrance charge of Rs 5.

Sthala History :

This is one of the old temples and beleived to be more than 2000+ years old. Out of 108 divya desams of Lord Vishnu, The "Malai" is referred for Thirupathi, and "Koil" is referred to Srirangam and "Perumal Koil" is referred to this Varadaraja Perumal Koil. Out of 108 divya desams, this is referred as 43rd divya desam.

The name "varadar" means gives the blessings to all, hence the main deity is termed as Varadarajar.

The history of this temple goes like , Lord Brahma wanted to see Vishnu with his four arms and went into penance. He heard a voice directing him to do 100 aswametha yagas.
Lord Brahma was suprised and felt sad since 1 yaga itself will take several years. Again the divine voice, directed Lord Brahma to visit Kanchipuram and requested him to do 1 aswametha yaga which will be equal to 100 yagas due to divine nature of the place.

Lord Brahma went and did the same as directed and Lord Vishnu appeared before Lord Brahma with his four hands.

Main deity is referred as Varadarajar, Perarulalan, Devathirajan, Devaperumal etc. Lord Perumal will be seen with 4 hands and in standing position.This place is also called as Hathigiri as Lord is standing on a small hill which is of 10m height. To see the main deity one has to cross 24 steep steps which indicates 24 meanings in Gayathri Mantram.

This place was also referred as Athiyur since the main deity was made out of Athi maram (fig tree).This deity made out of wood is same as moolavar ( main deity). There is also a unique ritual is followed in this temple. This deity made out of wood is placed in a sliver box and immerssed in the water tank. This water tank is called as Anantha pushkarani. This pushkarani has 2 mandapas and the silver box is immersed in water in one of these mandapas.
The deity is called as Athivarathar and he will be opened once is 40 years to do poojas and will be placed back in the silver box. Last time this was done in 1979 . Next pooja is due at 2019.

Lord Brahma, Naraja Muni, Birugu Muni, Adiseshan and Gajendran have seen the appearance of Lord Vishnu in this place and got his blessings.

Perundevi Thayar temple is near by and the custom is to visit Thayar temple first before visiting Perumal temple.

The main sanctum faces west and can be entered through a 96 feet. Around 11th century Krishnadevarayar build this rajagopuram and then around 16th century Vijayanagar King built the 100 pillar mandapam which is the reflection of architecture at that time.

This temple is rich in collection of architecture and has a hundred pillar mandapam. Though this is called as 100 pillar mandapam, 96 pillars are carved out of stone and 4 pillars are made out of wood. Totally these are referred as 100 pillar mandapam which was build by Chola and Vijayanagara kings

There is a belief that this was first built by pallava king Nandivarman II. Also there is a belief that this temple was built by Chola in 1053 and expanded during Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola.British Governer general has presented a necklace during Garuda seva and it is referred as clive Maharkandi which is used during special occasions.

One of the speciality of this temple is Gold and Silver lizards. There were 2 sisyas for Gouthama muni who usually gives the pooja water to their Guru. One day while giving the water, Guru found a lizard and immediately cursed them to be lizards. After requests, Guru requested them to request the blessing of Varadaraja perumal in Kanchipuram. As Guru mentioned, these 2 sisyas came and prayed to Lord to get them away from their Guru's curse.

Lord Varadaraja Perumal ordered the Athma of these 2 lizards to go to Vaikuntam and their body will be remained here and indicated Sun and Moon will be the witness for this. Hence there will be a Golden Lizard, Silver Lizard and Sun and Moon. Hence visiting this is important in this shrine.



Azhwar mangalaasaasanam:

Tirumangai Azhwar - 1541, 2050, 2060, 2066
Bhootathazhwar - 2276, 2277
Peyaazhwar - 2307 (pasuram numbers as found in Naalaayira Divya prabhandam)