Varadharaja Perumal Temple - Kanchipuram
The Varadharaja Perumal temple also known as the Hastagiri or Athiyuran is dedicated to Lord Vishnu is located in the South Indian city of Kanchipuram and is one among the 108 temples of Lord Vishnu praised by the 12 Alwars who were the popular saints in Sri Vaishnavism.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple - Kanchipuram - Tamil Nadu
Highlights of the Temple
The idol of the Lord Perumal is seen in the reclining position and is made of Athi wood (Fig tree) which is considered sacred.
This idol is kept locked and is brought out for public worship once in every 40 years. Since Lord Perumal granted a Varam to Lorb Brahma after being pleased with the yajna the Lord here is called as Varadharaja Perumal. After 1979, the statue is taken for public worshipping in 2019.
History
When Lord Brahma conducted a yajna, he forgot to invite his consort Goddess Saraswati and continued the yajna with his other consorts Gayathiri and Savitri. The angry Saraswati flowed in spate in the form of the river Vegavati and threatened to wipe out the yajna.
Brahma realizing the danger prayed to Lord Vishnu and the Lord came to the spot and rested himself in a reclining position thusstopping Vegavati from flowing further. After the yajna was performed, from the flames emerged Lord Perumal in the brilliance of athousand splendid suns and rested where the temple is now built.
Temple timings
Devotees can worship the Lord everyday between 6.00 am to 11.00 am and from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
Festivals
The temple is seen to celebrate the festivals such as Vaikunda Ekadasi, Vaikasi Brahmmotsavam and the nine day Navarathri.