Varadarajaswami Temple, Kanchipuram - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Varadarajaswami Temple

At a distance of 3 Km from Kanchipuram Bus Station, Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, or Sri Varadarajaswami Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in the Vishnu Kanchi suburb of Kanchipuram. Also known as Devarajaswami Temple, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and is one of the must visit pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu. It ranks as the fourth among the Divya Desams, which are the 108 temples dedicated Lord Vishnu that are said to have been visited by the twelve poet saints known as the Alvars. 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.' The temple is also notable for its association with Ramanuja, one of the foremost scholars of the Vaishnava Vishishtadvaita philosophy, who is believed to have lived here.

History of Varadarajaswami Temple

The Varadaraja Perumal Temple features approximately 350 inscriptions from a variety of dynasties, including the Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras, Kakatiyas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara rulers. These inscriptions document various donations made to the temple and reflect the political landscape of Kanchipuram. It is believed that the temple was originally constructed by the Pallava king Nandivarman II. The Cholas undertook renovations in 1053, and further expansions occurred under the reigns of notable Chola monarchs Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola. In the 14th century, later Chola rulers added an additional wall and a gopura. During the Mughal invasion in 1688, the idol of the presiding deity was relocated to Udayarpalayam, now part of the Tiruchirapalli District, and was returned with considerable difficulty in 1710. Robert Clive, a British general during the colonial era, attended the Garuda seva festival and gifted a valuable necklace, which is now worn during a special ceremony each year. Currently, the temple's administration is managed by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Mythology of Varadarajaswami Temple

According to the legend, Lord Brahma conducted a Yajna at this location to attain purification, accompanied by His consorts Gayatri and Savitri, while disregarding Goddess Saraswathi. In her fury, Goddess Saraswathi attempted to flood the entire area with high tides in the form of Vegavathi, a swift-moving river. In response to Lord Brahma's plea, Lord Maha Vishnu reclined to mitigate the floodwaters. Upon the completion of Lord Brahma's Yajna, Lord Vishnu emerged from the sacrificial fire, radiating brilliance akin to a thousand suns. Iravath, the celestial elephant of God Indra, served as the mount for Lord Varadaraja, hence the temple is situated on a rock shaped like an elephant, known as Hastigiri.

Another tale recounts that the disciples of sage Gautama were cursed to transform into lizards. They inhabited the temple until they were liberated from this curse through the divine grace of Vishnu. Within the temple, there exists a panel illustrating the two lizards on the ceiling.

Architecture of Varadarajaswami Temple

Covering an expanse of 23 acres, the Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram exemplifies a harmonious fusion of Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara architectural styles. The temple features three outer precincts, known as Azhwar Prakaram, Madai Palli Prakaram, and Thiru Malai Prakaram. Within its grounds, there are 32 shrines, nearly 20 Vimanas, and numerous pillared halls. The shrine dedicated to Varadarajaswamy is situated on a modest hillock, rising 10 meters high, accessible via a flight of 24 steps referred to as 'Hasthagiri.' Additionally, the temple boasts a 130-foot tall, seven-tiered Rajagopuram located on the western side. Notably, the eastern Gopuram surpasses the western one in height, which is atypical for large temples where the Rajagopuram is usually the tallest structure.

The main sanctum is oriented to the west and houses the idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of Varadarajar. The principal deity, Lord Varadaja, is depicted in a standing position, holding a conch, discus, mace, and lotus in his four hands. This impressive 10-foot tall idol is crafted in such a way that sunlight illuminates it on the 15th day following Chitra Pournami, the Full Moon day of the Chittirai month. In addition to the main stone idol, the temple also preserves a wooden representation of Varadarajaswamy within a silver box, which is kept submerged in the waters of the Anantha Theerth, the temple tank. Every 40 years, the Athi Varadaraja idol is ceremoniously brought out in a grand procession. Surrounding the sanctum are murals from the Vijayanagar period.

The goddess Perundevi Thayar, the consort of LOrd Varadaraja Perumal, is housed in a separate shrine in the thrid precinct. The idol of the goddess stands at a height of 4 feet and is depicted in a seated position. It is a common practice for devotees to pay their respects at this shrine prior to visiting the main Perumal shrine. Additionally, there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Narasimha situated at the base of the hillock. Within the second precinct, there are four shrines, with the most notable being that of Malayala Nachiar, the consort from Kerala, which is believed to have been constructed during the reign of the Chera kings in the early 14th century. This precinct also features images of the Alvars and Ramanuja. On the eastern side of the temple tank, one can find the shrine of Chakratalvar.

Among the temple's remarkable features are intricately carved lizards that are gilded in gold, adorning the sanctum. The Kalyana Mandapam, a 100-pillared hall renowned as a masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture, showcases numerous captivating sculptures, including those depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata. A stunning stone chain, meticulously sculpted from a single rock, hangs from the corners of the hall's roof, swaying gently in the breeze, creating a truly breathtaking sight.

Festivals of Varadarajaswami Temple

The Brahmotsavam, held in May or June, is the principal festival at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram. This ten-day celebration takes place on the auspicious occasion of Vaishakh Poornima. A significant component of this festival is the Garudotsavam, also referred to as the Garuda Sevai Festival. During this time, deities from surrounding temples participate in the procession, attracting hundreds of devotees who come to receive the blessings of the divine. A highlight of the ten-day festivities is the Chariot Festival, which occurs on the ninth day. Additionally, the Athi Varathar Utsavam is another important celebration at the Sri Varadarajaswami Temple, marking the reappearance of the 10-foot idol of Lord Vishnu, known as Lord Athi Varathar, which takes place once every 40 years.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Varadarajaswami Temple

When planning a visit to the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, it is recommended to adhere to modest dress standards. Men are encouraged to wear a dhoti or pajama paired with an upper garment, as well as formal trousers and shirts. Women may opt for a saree, half saree, or churidhar. It is advisable to refrain from wearing contemporary attire such as mini-skirts, low-waist jeans, shorts, and sleeveless tops while on the temple grounds.

Non-Hindus are welcome to explore the temple complex and appreciate its architectural beauty; however, access to the sanctum sanctorum may be restricted.

Varadarajaswami Temple Timings

Monday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Thursday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Friday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Saturday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM
Sunday: 6 AM - 12 PM & 4 PM - 8 PM

Varadarajaswami Temple Entry Fee

General Entry is Free
Special Darshan available for Rs. 50 & Rs. 500

Best Time to Visit Varadarajaswami Temple

The period from October to March is the most favorable time to explore Varadaraja Perumal Temple, as the climate is enjoyable and ideal for sightseeing. If you intend to visit during festivals or significant religious occasions, then plan your visit during the Brahmotsavam festival, which is celebrated in the month of May/June. It is recommended to arrive early due to the increased number of attendees. However, it is mostly humid and hot apart during this time.

How to Reach Varadarajaswami Temple

Located approximately 61 Km from Kanchi, Chennai Airport serves as the nearest airport, offering regular flight services to nearly all major cities across India and internationally. Kanchipuram enjoys robust train connectivity to Chennai, Pondicherry, Kanyakumari, Mumbai, Tirupati, Madurai, Dindigul, and Tirunelveli. Additionally, there are numerous bus services available to Kanchipuram from cities such as Chennai, Vellore, Tirupati, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Trichy. About 3 Km from Kanchipuram Bus Stand, the Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple can be conveniently accessed by bus or auto-rickshaw from any area within the town.