Varadharaja Perumal Temple - Hindu temple in Kanchipuram, Nattapettai - Kanchipuram, India

The age-old charm of the temple created a unique atmosphere, and I particularly felt a deep sense of calmness during our time there. It was a joy to share these moments with my family, making it a truly memorable visit. Thank you for maintaining such a peaceful and beautiful environment. Your efforts are truly appreciated, and we look forward to future visits to Varadraj Perumal Temple.

Lovely temple with excellent architecture. The grey visage with such intricate detailing in the carvings really gives the place superb vibes. The moorthy (deity) is so divine!

It's a 1600 year old temple and the maintenance was very poor. The temple is really good where our culture is highlighted. And the stone carving is really must watch and just we need to applaud the people's who has done it. When you see the god Varadharaja Perumal so close I felt divine and blessed. Parking is very poor. No trees in and around the temple which gives shade for people. Inside the temple if you give 100 or 200 he will give us special entry which must not be in any temple.

The temple has around 350 inscriptions from various dynasties like Chola, Pandya, Kandavarayas, Cheras, Kakatiya, Sambuvaraya, Hoysala and Vijayanagara indicating various donations to the temple and also the political situation of Kanchipuram.Varadharaja Perumal Temple was renovated 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 was 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 Tiruchirappalli district.It was brought back with greater difficulty after the involvement of 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.At present the administration is carried out by Hindu Religious and Endowment of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple is present in Chinna Kanchipuram, a locality in the Eastern side of Kanchipuram, a South Indian town in the state of Tamil Nadu.The temple covers an area of 23.5-acre (95,000 m2), showcasing the architectural skills of ancient Vishwakarma Sthapathis in temple architecture, and is famous for its holiness and ancient history. The temple has three outer precincts (prakarams), namely, Alvar Prakaram, Madai Palli Prakaram and Thiru Malai Prakaram.There are 32 shrines, 19 vimanams (towers), 389 pillared halls (most having the lion type yali sculpture) and sacred tanks some of which located outside the complex.The temple tank is called Anantha Theertham.There are 96 ornate sculpted pillars depicting various legends of Mahabharat and Ramayana. The most notable sculptures are of Rati, Manmatha, Lakshmi Narayana, Lakshmi Narasimha, Lakshmi Varaha, and Lakshmi Hayagreeva. The temple is famous for its huge umbrella used during festive occasions. During the bhramotsavam (major festival) in Vaigasi (May/June), thousands of people throng the temple and that increases twofold during the Garuda Vahanam and the Ther Thiruvila, the chariot procession. Atthi Varadharaja Perumal (Atthi Varadar), the 10 feet deity image, is made of the Atthi or the fig tree, and is stored in an underground chamber inside the temple tank which is called the Anantha Sarovaram/ Anantha Saras. It is brought out to worship for 48 days after every 40 years.[35][36] It is worshipped in the Vasantha Mantapam, which located in the south-west corner of the temple. The Aththi Varadar is worshipped in sleeping posture (Kidantha Thirukkolam or Sayana Kolam) in the first 24 days, followed by standing position (Nindra Thirukkolam) in the next 24 days. The icon, which was the presiding deity earlier, was hidden in the 16th century to protect from invaders; however replaced by the current stone central icon when the wooden icon could not be traced. In 1709, the icon was accidentally rediscovered when the temple tank was emptied; thereafter the tradition of worshipping the deity once in 40 years was established. The festival was last held from 1 July to 17 Aug in 2019. The next Atthi Varadar festival will be held in 2059.

Temple dedicated for lord Vishnu, well maintained and big complex. It's a kind of maze so you need to ask someone to navigate and go to the upper level for Perumal dharshan. Not much crowded since we went on a working day and we were able to freely move around the temple premises.

It's a representation of the great South Indian temple Architecture. The carvings on the columns are incredible! The main temple was built by the Great Pallavas in 6th century CE. It's a shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Attracts large crowd due to its reverence and the story of the Magical Lizard in one of the chambers of this ancient temple ! A great mix of Architecture, heritage, Culture and Faith

Varadaraja Perumal Temple is one of the celebrated places of worship of Lord Vishnu. Hailed also as including Thirukkachi and Hastigiri in many scriptures and literary works, it remains a Divyadesam that the Azhwar saints have sung about, in their sacred hymns. This is also one of the 3 most sacred Vishnu shrines and is referred to in the Vaishnava parlance as 'Perumal Koil,' with the other 2 being Srirangam known as 'Koil,' and Tirupathi, as 'Tirumalai.' This temple is located in the ancient and historical temple-town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. The part of the town where this temple is situated itself is known as Vishnu Kanchi, in view of the presence of this temple and some others, dedicated to Vishnu. The presiding deity Lord Varadaraja Perumal, also called Devaraja Swamy, is housed on a hillock called Hastigiri or Aththigiri, in the temple. Goddess Perundevi Thayaar is his consort. Many saints, Acharyas, the preceptors, and Vaishnava scholars have lived in this place or worshipped in this temple. The temple is also known for 'Athi Varadar,' a unique statue of Varadaraja made of a special Athi wood, that is, fig tree, that is maintained inside the temple pond, and brought out for public darshan, once in 40 years. 'Kanchipuram Idli,' the special snack offered to the Lord here, is quite famous Plenty of inscriptions are found in this temple to show that several ruling dynasties of the southern part of the country, like the Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras, Kakatyas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara Kings have contributed to the temple in many ways. However, its renovation and expansion took place mainly during the Chola reign. Spread across an area of 23 acres, this vast temple is as much known for its religious significance as for its architectural and sculptural greatness. The temple contains 3 main precincts, 32 shrines, nearly 20 Vimanas, and hundreds of pillared halls. Lord Varadaraja can be worshipped in the main shrine on top of the Hastigiri hillock, in a standing posture. His 10 feet tall majestic idol is so designed that the Sun rays fall on it on the 15th day after the Chitra Pournami, the Full Moon day of the Chittirai month. Perundevi Thayar, his consort, is housed separately at the ground level. There is also a Lord Narasimha shrine at the base of the hillock. Rajagopuram, the main tower above the western entrance is 7-storied, while the Eastern tower is much taller. A massive granite compound wall runs around the temple complex. While there are Vijayanagar period murals around the sanctum, beautiful granite sculptures and carvings are found in many of the mandapams. Kalyana Mandapam, the 100-pillared hall, is of particular significance in this regard. Considered a masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture, it contains many eye-catching sculptures, including those from epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha, and Bhagavatha. The exquisite stone chain sculpted from a single rock hanging from the corners of the roof of the hall is found swaying gently in the wind, and that very sight is breathtaking! Anantha Saras, the temple tank, is inside the complex, and Lord Athi Varadar is lying in its waters. There are also shrines for many other divinities and saints here, and these include Chakratazhwar, the Chakra of the Lord, Azhwars saints, and saint Ramanuja. Temple Festivals The annual Brahmotsavam celebrated during Vaikasi (May-June) can be called the biggest festival of this temple. The festival deity is carried on various mounts in grand processions daily, in the mornings and evenings. Of these, the Garuda Sevai, the Lord riding the Garuda mount, is of particular significance, drawing thousands of enthusiastic devotees. 'Athi Varadar,' the wooden image of the Lord coming out of the temple tank once in 40 years, remains a big celebration, too. Benefits of worshipping Varadaraja Perumal The term 'Varada Raja' literally means 'the king of boons.' Thus the Lord remains a great benefactor. It is believed he can bestow educational excellence, prosperity, and family welfare on the devotees. It is also a belief that praying to

Marvel of ancient architecture!! Have to visit again and take time to explore the beautiful architecture in and out!! Like all other big temples in Tamilnadu, here too the management sucks big time. No proper securities to control and organise the crowd. Especially during the holidays, there is such a huge crowd even from Andhra and Karnataka. The local people always have influence inside and they bypass the public and get inside easily. It took one and half hours for us to get inside through the long queue. People never have self discipline:( The prasadams (Puliyodharai, Adhirasam, Laddu, Murukku, Milagu Vadai etc., ) were great in taste and cost effective! Overall a wonderful experience!!