72-661: (Redirected from Varadaraja Perumal Temple ) Varadharaja Perumal Temple may refer to: Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram , a temple in Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Puducherry , a temple in Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India Varadharajaperumal temple, Thirubuvanai , a temple in Thirubuvanai, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India Varadharaja Perumal temple,Thiruvottiyur ,
144-466: A 40 metres (130 ft)-tall, 7-tiered rajagopuram (main gateway tower). The image of the presiding deity is designed in such a way that on the 15th day after Chitra Purnima, the rays of the Sun fall on the idol. The hill, called Hastagiri, is 360 metres (1,180 ft) long by 240 metres (790 ft). The eastern gopuram is taller than the western gopuram , which is contrasting to large temples where
216-769: A break will guarantee one a place in paramapadam . There is a temple of Varadharajaswamy in Kurmai of Palamaner mandal called the Kurma Varadharaja Swamy Temple and in Yadamari of Yadamari mandal called the Indrapuri Varadharaja Swamy Temple, both in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh . According to Hindu legend, Saraswati cursed the king of celestial deities, Indra , to become an elephant and roam around
288-462: A long way everyday to the temple to offer his worship. During his old age, he was privileged to converse with god. Ramanuja , the preceptor of Vishishtadvaita philosophy, was tricked by his master and was plotted to be killed. But by the grace of divinity, he was masked as a hunter and escape the event. He later came back to the temple to the making of the Vaishnava philosophy. Vedanta Desika ,
360-686: A mango tree. Legend has it that the Vegavati river overflowed, threatening to engulf the Shiva Lingam; Parvati as Kamakshi embraced the Lingam. Shiva touched by the gesture materialized in person and married her. In this context he is referred to as Tazhuva kuzhainthaar ("He who melted in Her embrace") in Tamil. Tirukuripputhonda Nayanar , a nayanar saint, was a washerman near the temple and he washed
432-466: A small Ganesha temple and a pond. The third courtyard contains lot of smaller shrines. The flag staff of the temple is axial to the sanctum and diagonally located to the main entrance and the temple tank on either directions. There is a shrine called Thirukachi Mayanam and Kalayana Mandapa, named after Pachayappa Mudaliar, both of which are located close to the flag staff. Thirukachi Mayanam, Valeesam, Rishabesam and Satyanadeesam are located in four corners of
504-667: A temple in Sengalipuram, Tiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India Pasupathikoil Varadharaja Perumal Temple , a Perumal temple in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India Nallur Sundara Varadharaja Perumal Temple , a Perumal temple in Tiruvannamalai district Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Temple , a Perumal temple in Ariyalur district See also [ edit ] Varadaraja (disambiguation) Topics referred to by
576-645: A temple in Thiruvottiyur, Thiruvallur district Tamil Nadu, India Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Poonamallee , a temple in Poonamallee, Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Shoolagiri , a temple in Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, India Sri Varadharaja Perumal Kovil , a temple in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India Kalyana Varadharaja Perumal Temple ,
648-581: Is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Shiva , located in the town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu , India . It is significant to the Hindu sect of Saivism as one of the temples associated with the five elements, the Pancha Bhoota Stalas , and specifically the element of earth, or Prithvi . Shiva is worshiped as Ekambareswarar or Ekambaranathar or Rajlingeswaram, and is represented by
720-481: 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. There are images of Alvars and Ramanuja in the second precinct. The third precinct has
792-539: Is above the Narasimha shrine. The deity is called Devaraja Perumal, whose worship is equated to the Adi Athi Varadharaja Perumal, that is, two gods residing in one presiding idol. According to a Hindu legend, Brahma , the Hindu god of creation, separated with his wife Saraswati over a misunderstanding. He performed the ashvamedha sacrifice, seeking boons from Vishnu. Vishnu was pleased by
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#1732773071972864-521: Is also the 3rd most in terms of number of Tamil azhvars who composed divya prabandhams, unfortunately divya prabandam is not allowed. Only one can hope one day! 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
936-412: Is brought out for worship once every 40 years. The festivities last 48 days after which it is immersed in the water and stored for the next 40 years. It is believed that there is a heavy downpour after the idol is immersed to fill the tank. The presiding deity is a 3.0 metres (10 ft) tall idol made of granite in standing posture, while Thayar is a 1.2 metres (4 ft) image in sitting posture. There
1008-400: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram Varadharaja Perumal Temple , also called Hastagiri , Attiyuran, Attigiri, Kanchi koil, Thirukatchi, or Perumal koil is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu located in the city of Kanchipuram , Tamil Nadu , India . It is one of
1080-569: Is famous for hand-woven silk sarees - a design by name Ekambaranathar obtain its name from the designs of these shrines. Tirugnana Sambandar , a 7th-century Tamil Saivite poet, venerated Ekambareswarar in ten verses in Tevaram , compiled as the First Tirumurai . Appar and Sundarar , contemporaries of Sambandar, also venerated Ekambareswarar in 10 verses in Tevaram , compiled as
1152-608: Is popularly known as Mumurtivasam (abode of trio), while Srirangam is referred to as: 'Koil' (meaning: "temple") and Tirupati as: 'Malai' (Meaning: "hill"). Among the Divya Desams, Kanchipuram Varadharaja Perumal temple is known as: 'Perumal Koil'. This is one of the most sacred places for Vaishnavites . The fourth of the Divya Desams that completes this series is Melukote , which is known as Thirunarayanapuram. Vaishnavites believe that visiting all four places without
1224-518: Is recited when Tiruthanka desikar visits the temple once a year. Adaikalapthu is the desika prabandha that celebrates this temple. Desika stotrams are also recited during some utsavams that are important for Vedanta Desika including his thirunakshtram. This is the only major srivaishnava temple with priority to vedam in Tamil Nadu, with the largest vedam recitation group in any divyadesam in Tamil Nadu, second most being Thiruvaheendrapuram . It
1296-459: Is the largest and one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the city. Legend has it that once Parvati , the consort of Shiva, wanted to expiate herself from sin by doing penance under a mango tree near Vegavati river. In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her. Parvati prayed to the god Vishnu. Vishnu brought the Moon whose rays cooled down the tree and Parvati. Shiva again sent
1368-779: Is the southern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 58.5216 m (192 ft), making it one of the tallest temple towers in India. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Ekambareswarar and the Vishnu shrine - Nilathingal Thundam Perumal (a Divyadesam ) being the most prominent. The temple complex houses many halls; the most notable is the thousand-pillared hall built during the Vijayanagar period . The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 3:30~4:00 a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. Panguni Uthiram festival celebrated for thirteen days during
1440-435: The lingam as Prithvi lingam . His consort Parvati is depicted as Elavarkuzhali. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram , written by Tamil saint poets known as the nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam . The temple complex covers 10 hectares (25 acres), and is one of the largest in India. It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams . The tallest
1512-575: The Divya Desams , the 108 temples of Vishnu believed to have been visited by the 12 poet saints, or the Alvars . It is located in a suburb of Kanchipuram known as the Vishnu Kanchi that is a home for many famous Vishnu temples. One of the greatest Hindu scholars of Vaishnava Vishishtadvaita philosophy, Ramanuja , is believed to have resided in this temple. The temple along with Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram
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#17327730719721584-570: The Fifth Tirumurai and Ninth Tirumurai respectively. As the temple is revered in Tevaram , it is classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam , one of the 276 temples that find mention in the Saiva canon. Manickavasagar , a 9th-century Tamil saint and poet, revered Ekambareswarar in his writing. Thus the temple is revered by all four Saiva Kuravars. The presiding deity is also revered in the verses of famous folk singer Kanchi Kotayappa Nayak, one of
1656-957: The Government of Tamil Nadu , having the Thathachariars as the Honorary Trustees. 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 9.5-hectare (23.5-acre), 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
1728-599: The Kumara kottam (currently the Kamakashi Amman temple and the Subramanya temple). The temple finds mention in the classical Tamil Sangam literature dated 300 BCE like Manimegalai and Perumpāṇāṟṟuppaṭai . Initially temple was built by Pallavas . The Vedantist Kachiyapper served as a priest at the temple. The existing structure then, was pulled down and rebuilt by the later Chola Kings. Adi Sankara ,
1800-572: The Tamil month of Panguni (March - April) is the most prominent festival of the temple and the town. The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Vijayanagar rulers. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu . The temple
1872-687: The Ther Thiruvila, the chariot procession. Atthi Varadharaja Perumal (Atthi Varadar), the 3.0 metres (10 ft) 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. It is worshipped in the Vasantha Mantapam, which located in
1944-565: The Vadakalai tradition and the Vedic recitation is under the rights of the thathacharyas , who follow the Vadakalai tradition. The Naalayira Divya Prabandham recitation is not allowed anymore because of kalai fighting. Only followers of the vadakalai tradition allowed by the thathacharyas are allowed to partake in Vedic recital. They have all the rows for the Vedic recital. Desika prabandams
2016-404: The rajagopuram 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 which has sculptures depicting Ramayana and Mahabharata . It is a masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture. Hastagiri has murals of the late Vijayanagara empire on the ceiling. Another significant features of
2088-445: The 10th-century saint got Kanchipuram remodelled along with expansion of this temple along with Kamakshi Amman temple and Varadaraja Perumal Temple with the help of local rulers. There are inscriptions dated 1532 CE (record 544 of 1919) indicating the gift of number of villages made by Achutaraya. Vira Narasingaraya Saluva Nayaka who was directed by Achutaraya broke the royal order by giving more lands to Ekambaranathar temple than
2160-803: The Divya Prabhandam. After Pillan, Tirumalai Srinivasacharya Thathacharya in the fifth generation of Thathacharyas was installed by Sri Vedanta Desika as the Sri Kariyam of the Devaraja Swamy Kovil. Since then the office of Sri Kariyam is institutionalised in the diligence and devotion of the Thathacharyas to the Varadharaja Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. Lakshmi Kumara Thathachariar inherited this mantle from his ancestors and made epoch making contributions to
2232-518: The Hoysalas, indicating a gift of a crown to the presiding deity. During the 17th century, the temple was under the attacks from the Mughals , spearheaded by Aurangzeb . The deities of the temple were ported to Udayarpalayam in modern-day Tiruchirappalli district during 1688. It was only during 1710 that the situation was ripe for the deities to be returned. But the chieftain of Udayarpalayam opposed
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2304-488: The Varadaraja Swamy temple against the instruction of an equal gift to either of the temples. Achutaraya on hearing this equally distributed the lands to both the temples. The eleven-storied southern gopuram , built by Krishnadevaraya (1509-29), is 57 m (187 ft) tall and is one of the tallest gopurams in the country. The Vijayanagar kings, during the 15th century, also made lot of contributions to
2376-560: The clothes of all the Saivities. He was divinely tricked by Shiva appearing as an aged brahmin and asked him to wash before dawn. At the same time, Shiva made a cloudly evening. On observing the approach of the evening, the washerman banged his head in a stone in disappointment. God appeared in his true form and graced his devotee. This vast temple is one of the most ancient in India having been in existence since at least 600 CE. Second-century-CE Tamil poetry speaks of Kama kottam , and
2448-471: The deity came from yagna done by Brahma (Historically speaking, his placement may have been due to fear of invasion by the Delhi Sultanate ). As is the case with the association of South Indian temples with a sacred tree, a name of the temple, Attigiri, is derived from the a tti tree ( fig ), considered sacred to Vaishnavas as well as other Hindus. There is also stone deity found inside the temple
2520-423: The devotion, and came out from under the earth as a boar, making Saraswati unite with Brahma. Another legend states that the disciples of the sage Gautama were cursed to become lizards. They resided in the temple, and were relieved of the curse by the divine grace of Vishnu. There is a panel in the temple where the two lizards are depicted in the roof of the temple. Thirukkachi Nambigal (also known as Kanchi Purnar)
2592-413: The divine source of Sri Vaishnava literature. Thirumangai Alvar spent all his wealth and taxes towards the building of the temple and the king punished him for not paying the taxes, and losing wealth of the kingdom. A divine voice informed the king in his dreams that he can pickup wealth from a nearby place and relieve Thirumangai Alvar. Thirukachi Nambi was an ardent devotee of Varadharaja. He used to come
2664-537: The festival. Thirumangai Alvar wrote four pasurams (hymns), Bhoothathalvar wrote two, and Peyalvar penned one. Sri Alluri Venkatadri Swamigal composed more than 200 keerthanams about Varadharaja Perumal. The temple follows the Pancaratra agama and Vadakalai tradition. The deities of this temple wear Vadakalai naamam, which can also be found on the gopuram , temple chariot , vahanas, temple tank , and numerous walls . The priests exclusively belong to
2736-483: The first precinct. The temple's inner most precinct are decorated with an array of Shivalingam, one of which is a Sahasra Lingam with 1,008 Siva lingams sculpted on it. There is no separate shrine for Parvati within the complex as with all other Shiva temples in Kanchipuram. A local belief is that the deity at the Kamakshi Amman Temple is the consort for Ekambaranathar. Behind the image of Lingam in
2808-555: The five lingams and each of the lingams representing Shiva in the temple have five different names based on the elements they represent. In the temple, Shiva is said to have manifested himself in the form of Prithvi Lingam. The other four manifestations are Appu Lingam (representing water) at Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval , Akasha Lingam (representing sky) at Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram , Agni Lingam (representing fire) at Annamalaiyar Temple and Vayu Lingam (representing air) at Srikalahasti Temple . Kanchipuram
2880-520: The gateway tower has the shrines of Vinayaka and Murugan on either sides. From the entrance, there are two halls namely Vahana Mandapam (vehicle hall) and Sarabesa Mandapam (also called Navaratri hall). The Aayiram Kaal Mandapam , or the "hallway with a thousand pillars", which was built by the Vijayanagar Kings, is found on precinct after the gateway tower. There is said to have been an underground holy river . The fourth courtyard contains
2952-482: The gift of number of villages made by Achutaraya. Vira Narasingaraya Saluva Nayaka who was directed by Achutaraya broke the royal order by giving more lands to Ekambaranathar temple than the Varadharaja Swamy temple against the instruction of an equal gift to either of the temples. Achutaraya on hearing this equally distributed the lands to both the temples. There is an inscription from the 13th century from
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3024-444: 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. Earlier documented dates about the rise are: Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram) Ekambareswarar Temple ( Ekambaranathar Temple ) (Kacchi Eakamban Tirukkoyil)
3096-562: 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 old inscriptions and records of
3168-433: 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 main sanctum faces west and can be entered through
3240-618: The move and only after the intervention of Paramahamsa Parivajakacharya Attan Jeer, the deities were returned. The event is commemorated as a festival in the temple. The Thathacharyas are the custodians of the Kanchipuram Perarulalan Kovil popularly known as Varadharaja Perumal temple. They are the Pradhana Acharya Purushas in the protocol to receive and deliver the temple honours. In retrospection Tirumalai Nambi's son Tirukkurukai Piran Pillan
3312-473: The name Satyavijaya Tirtha was honoured in the temple with some privileges. As Raghava Iyengar mentions in his work Sasana Tamil Kavi Saritham , an inscription at the temple indicates that Parimelalhagar , who wrote his commentary of the Tirukkural around 1271–1272 CE, belonged to the lineage of priests of Ulagalandha Perumal temple . There are inscriptions dated 1532 CE (record 544 of 1919) indicating
3384-704: The pedestal of Ekambareswarar. Since it is a Lingam made of sand mound, all the ablution is done only to the pedestal. The worship is held amidst music with nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument), religious instructions in the Vedas read by priests and prostration by worshippers in front of the temple mast. There are weekly rituals like somavaram and shukravaram , fortnightly rituals like pradosham and monthly festivals like amavasai (new moon day), kiruthigai or on krittika nakshatram, pournami (full moon day) and chaturthi . The temple celebrates dozens of festivals throughout
3456-415: The place. He was relieved of the curse with the divine power of Vishnu, who appeared as the mount, Hastagiri. Hastagiri indicates a mount/hill in the form of elephant. Indra , the king of the devas, is believed to have installed the silver and golden lizards in the temple, who were the witness of the ordeal, after being released from the curse of the goddess Saraswati . Brahma performed a yagna here,
3528-463: The presiding deity. Ramanuja , an influential Vaishnava preceptor, is regarded to have received answers to his six questions from Varadharaja. through Thirukkachi Nambigal. 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
3600-531: The revered polymath next only to Ramanuja mentions the annual ten-day festival celebrated in May. In one of the verses, he extols the deity: The temple also finds mention in the Thirtha Prabandha , a travelogue with descriptions of pilgrim centers throughout India written by Sri Vadiraja Swamy . Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar , the celebrated composers of the 18th century created compositions on
3672-410: The river Ganga ( Ganges ) to disrupt Parvati's penance. Parvati convinced Ganga that since they were sisters, she should not harm Parvati. Parvati worshipped a Shiva Linga out of sand to please Shiva. Ultimately, Shiva appeared before her as Ekambareswarar or "Lord of Mango Tree". According to another legend, Parvati worshipped Shiva in the form of a Prithvi Lingam (or a Lingam out of sand), under
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#17327730719723744-442: The rule of Vijayanagara kings. There is a shrine of Chakratalvar on the eastern side of the temple tank. The image of Chakratalvar ( Sudarshana ) in the temple is depicted with six hands. There festival image of the temple has seven different images of Sudarshana depicted within the same chakra. There are two entrances to the shrine as the two images are considered to be separate. The shrine is believed to have been constructed during
3816-447: The same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Varadharajaperumal temple . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Varadharajaperumal_temple&oldid=1250292968 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
3888-469: The sanctum, there is a depiction of Shiva and Parvathi in a plaque with Shiva depicted as Tazhuvakuzhainthaar Swami and Parvathi as Elavarkuzhali Amman. There is a small shrine for Vishnu named Nilathingal Thundam Perumal temple inside the temple complex. Vishnu is prayed as Vamana and the shrine is hailed by the Alvar saints as one of the 108 Divya Desams . There is a separate shrine for Nataraja on
3960-668: The second precinct. The sthala-vriksham or temple tree is believed to be a 3,500-year-old mango tree whose branches are said to yield four different types of mangoes from its four branches. Pancha Bhoota Stalam refers to the five Shiva temples, each representing the manifestation of the five prime elements of nature - land, water, air, sky, fire. Pancha indicates five, Bhoota means elements and Stala means place. All these temples are located in South India with four of these temples at Tamil Nadu and one at Andhra Pradesh . The five elements are believed to be enshrined in
4032-616: 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 during the 1532 for a ceremony of Achyutaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire . The seven precincts are called Pradakshina Padha, Hastagiri Pradakshana, Madapalli Pragara, Alavandar Pragara, and Alvar Thiruveedhi. The Alavandar Pragara houses lot of shrines of
4104-474: The site of which was about to be washed away by the fast flowing river Vegavati (Saraswati in the form of river), known today as the Palar River . The temple deity, Vishnu, laid himself flat to stay the flow and the yagna was successfully performed. Vishnu emerged with brilliance of thousand Suns as Varadharajaswamy inside the athi tree, and stayed here permanently until he was submerged in nearby tank since
4176-439: 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,
4248-629: The temple and later developed by Vallal Pachiyappa Mudaliar used to go regularly from Chennai to Kanchipuram to worship in this temple, he spent significant money he amazed during British rule on the temple renovation, Pachiyappa Mudaliar seated at horse back can be seen in the temple pillar. At the later stage a similar temple with same name Ekambareswarar was constructed in Chennai by Pachiappa Mudaliar in order to avoid travelling time to Kanchipuram. The Archaeological Survey of India report of 1905–06 indicates widespread renovation activities carried out in
4320-635: The temple annals. He was the Sri Kariya Durandhara – a phrase connoting absolute dedication and authority – of the temple affairs. Simultaneously he was also the Raja Guru of the Vijayanagar king Venkatapathi Deva Maharaj. In Ayengarkulam, a village named after him near Kanchipuram, he built a tank and temple to Sri Rama and Hanuman. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of
4392-408: The temple are beautifully carved lizards and gilded with gold, over the sanctum. The vimana over the sanctum of Varadharaja Swami is called Punyakoti Vimanam and the one over Perundevi Thayar shrine is called Kalyana Koti Vimanam . Apart from the main stone idol, the temple has the wooden image of Varadharajaswamy made of Atthi or the fig tree and preserved under water in a secret chamber. It
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#17327730719724464-485: The temple by Nattukottai Chettiars. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu . The temple covers an area of over 9.3 hectares (23 acres). Reaching a height of 59 m (194 ft), the temple's Raja gopuram (the entrance tower to the temple) is one of the tallest in South India. The bottom half of
4536-444: The temple carried in various mounts around the streets of the temple. During the fifth day, Ekambareswarar is carried silver mount Nandi during the morning and Ravaneswara Vahanam during the evening. The 63 Nayanmars are taken in procession the sixth day morning, while Ekambareswarar is carried on Silver car festival in the evening. Silver Mavadi seva is performed on the ninth day. On the concluding day, Kalyanotsavam (marriage festival)
4608-624: The temple states that several leaders like Vyasatirtha and Satya-Vijaya Tirtha from the Dvaita school of Vedanta had evinced interest in this temple. An epigraph of the temple datable to 1511 CE records that the Dvaita saint and Kulaguru of Krishnadevaraya , Vyasatirtha presented a village and serpant vehicle to Varadharaja Temple and instituted a festival in honour of Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya . Another record dated 1726 CE mentions that another Dvaita saint and Peetadhipathi of Uttaradi Matha by
4680-409: The temple. The hall of the flagstaff has pillars sculpted with intricate figures indicating various legends and avatars of Shiva. The sanctum sanctorum contains the lingam along with the image of Shiva and Parvati sitting together. The gold plated lingam depicts the story of Parvati hugging the lingam to save it from the flooding Vegavati river. There are granite image of the 63 Nayanmars around
4752-410: The temple. The temple has two towers on the eastern and western sides, which are 55 metres (180 ft) and 49 metres (160 ft) tall respectively. There is a hundred pillared hall, which has ornate carvings, notable of which being a stone chain. The temple car is believed to have been donated by Krishnadevaraya in 1517 CE. There are paintings in the temple commissioned during the 16th century during
4824-402: The time of Kulothunga III during 1191 CE by Ilavalagan Kalingarayan of Nettur as seen from the inscriptions in the temple. The later additions are presumably made by the Vijayanagara Empire during the 13th or early part of 14th century. The kings also added pillared columns in the leading hall sculpted with figures from Ramayana and various forms of Vishnu . The temple is often mentioned as
4896-732: The trinities of Carnatic music Muthuswami Dikshitar and Pattinathar . The temple priest perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Shaivaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day; Ushathkalam at 5:30 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Ucchikalam at 10:00 a.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 8:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual comprises four steps: abhishekam (sacred bath), alankaram (decoration), naivedyam (food offering) and deepa aradhanai (waving of lamps) for
4968-460: The year. The most important of these is the Panguni (or Phalguni in devanagari) Brahmotsavam that lasts ten days during the Tamil month of Panguni , between March and April, concluding with the celebration of Kalyanotsavam. The festival is the most popular of all the temple festivals in Kanchipuram. There are various processions during the ten days with the festive images of presiding deities of
5040-547: Was an ardent devotee of this temple. He used to bring flowers everyday from Poovirundhavalli , where he maintained a garden. He performed the rituals of the Aalavatta Kaingariyam , waving to produce breeze with the help of a hand fan. It is believed that Vardharaja used to converse with him, while he was performing the ritual. Nambi also composed the Devarajaashtakam (a Sanskrit poem of 8 verses) for
5112-446: Was ordained by Ramanuja himself as the first and foremost among the 74 Peetadhipathis to propagate Visishtadwaita philosophy after him. Pillan was also chosen by Ramanuja as the competent person to write the commentary on the Tiruvaymoli . The annotation of Tiruvaymoli thus brought out by Pillan under the behest of Ramanuja is called the famous 'Araiyarpadi' the first gloss in Manipravala, an elegant mixture of Tamil and Sanskrit words, on
5184-476: 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
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