🛕About Temple
Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple is a major Vishnu temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, located at Hastagiri or Attigiri. The presiding deity is Varadaraja Perumal. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and is praised in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham by Alvars. It is especially known for the Athi Varadar wooden deity, which is kept immersed in the temple tank and brought out for public darshan once in 40 years.
ℹ️Temple Information
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Presiding Deity
Varadaraja Perumal
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Goddess
Perundevi Thayar
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Built Period
11th century CE
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Dynasty
Chola; later Vijayanagara patronage
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Sampradaya
Sri Vaishnavism
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⭐Temple Significance
Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and one of the most important Vishnu temples of Kanchipuram. It is significant for the worship of Varadaraja Perumal at Hastagiri, its association with Alvar hymns, its role in Sri Vaishnava tradition, and the rare Athi Varadar darshan held once in 40 years.
📜History
The temple has documented Chola-period origins and received later additions and patronage under subsequent South Indian rulers, including the Vijayanagara period. The temple is historically important in the Sri Vaishnava tradition and is associated with Kanchipuram’s long-standing role as a major sacred city. Specific historical details beyond these documented associations are not included here to avoid unsupported claims.
🕉️Mythology
According to the temple’s Sthala Purana tradition, Brahma performed a yajna at this site to worship Vishnu, and Vishnu manifested as Varadaraja, the granter of boons. The sacred hill is known as Hastagiri or Attigiri in temple tradition. The Athi Varadar image, made of athi wood, is traditionally associated with the temple’s ancient worship and is kept immersed in Ananta Saras except during its rare public darshan once in 40 years.
🏛Architecture
The temple is a large Dravidian-style temple complex at Hastagiri in Kanchipuram. Documented features include the main shrine of Varadaraja Perumal, the shrine of Perundevi Thayar, temple gopurams, mandapams, the Ananta Saras temple tank, and the celebrated Athi Varadar tradition connected with the tank. The temple is also known for the gold and silver lizard reliefs worshipped by devotees and for mandapams associated with later historical patronage.
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Sacred Features
🌳 Temple Tree
Athi
The Athi Varadar deity is made of athi wood, and the temple is closely associated with this sacred tree tradition.
💧 Temple Tank
Ananta Saras
Ananta Saras is the temple tank associated with the Athi Varadar tradition; the wooden deity is kept immersed there and brought out for darshan once in 40 years.
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Temple Highlights
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Divya Desam
The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred Vishnu temples praised in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
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Athi Varadar
The temple is renowned for the Athi Varadar wooden deity, which is kept immersed in Ananta Saras and brought out for public darshan once in 40 years.
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Hastagiri Shrine
Varadaraja Perumal is worshipped at Hastagiri, also known as Attigiri, in Kanchipuram.
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Gold and Silver Lizards
The temple has gold and silver lizard reliefs that are worshipped by devotees as part of a well-known temple tradition.
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Spiritual Benefits
Devotees traditionally worship Varadaraja Perumal for divine grace and blessings, as the name Varadaraja is understood as the granter of boons.
Devotees worship the gold and silver lizard reliefs as part of a temple tradition connected with relief from doshas and past faults.
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Major Festivals
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Vaikasi Brahmotsavam
Vaikasi Brahmotsavam is a major annual festival of the temple, with Garuda Sevai being an important part of the celebrations.
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Athi Varadar Darshan
Athi Varadar is brought out for public darshan once in 40 years, making it one of the temple’s most significant religious events.
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How to Reach
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By Road
The temple is in Kanchipuram town and can be reached by road from within the town and from other cities connected to Kanchipuram.
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By Rail
Kanchipuram Railway Station serves the town. Local transport is available from the station to the temple.
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By Air
The nearest major airport is Chennai International Airport. Road transport is available from Chennai to Kanchipuram.
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Visitor Tips
The Athi Varadar public darshan is not an annual event; it is held only once in 40 years.
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