108 Divya Desams !! Thiru Athigiri / Thirukacchi - Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Picture courtesy; tirumala.org

 

Kanchi is the place we visit regularly during our summer holidays to India.  With the Grace of Lord, it has become possible and well fit into our agenda to visit this temple city on regular basis during our busy schedule.   The speciality of this ‘Punya Bhumi’ is that every time we visit Kanchi, something miraculous event or marvelous sites we were happened to see with the grace of Mahaperiyaval.   Our group consists of ten members visited Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal Kovil.   It is one of the huge and beautiful Temple spreaded acres of land.  Our senior members took their own time to go through the outer praharams and the younsters were busy with their cameras on.  The vast praharam and the architectural work were visual treat for the eyes.  Our seniors were finding time to relax now and then while doing Pradakshinam of outer Praharam.   Somehow they have managed to climb the stairs, touch the Golden Lizards and had good dharshan of Perumdevi Thayar and Varadaraja Perumal.  As usual the scorching heat was horrendous in Kanchi. 

Swasthi Hasthigiri Mastha Sekhara: Santhannothu Mayi Santhatham Hari:

Nissamabhyadhika Mabhyadhatha Yam Deva Moupaneeshadhi Saraswathi

Sthalapuranam:

The Presiding deity: Sri Varadaraja Perumal/ Perarulalan/ Devathirajan/ Deva Perumal/ Thirukachhi Vardaraja Perumal/Devaraja Perumal

Thayar: Perumdevi Thayar

Vimanam: Punyakoti Vimanam

Theertham: Vegavathi Theertham, Anantha Saras, Shesha Theertham, Varaha Theertham, Padma Theertham, Agni Theertham, Kusala Theertham, Brahma Theertham

Pratyaksham to: Sage Brigu, Maharishi Narada, Lord Brahma, Gajendran and Adisheshan

Mangalasasanam: Thirumangai Alwar, Boothathalwar, Peyalwar, Aalavanthar, Thirukachinambi, Udayavar, Koorthalwar, Vedanta Desikar, Manavala Mamuni

Sannidhis: Sri Garudalwar, Guhai Narasimhar, Yoga Narasimhar, Chakkrathalwar, Perumdevi Thayar, Sri Ramar, Ananthalwar, Sri Ranganathar, Dhanvanthari, Sri Krishna and Andal.

Festivals: Brahmostavam in the month of Vaikasi.

Atthiyuran, Pullai Oorvan, Ani Maniyin Thuthiser
Nagathinmel Thuyilvan, Muthi Marai Aavan
MaKadal Nanju Undan
Tanakkum Irai Aavan Engal Piran

(BhoothathAzhvaar Aruliyathu)


 

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchi is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu.  The 12 Alwars had visited this holy abode of Lord Vishnu and sung praising the glories of Athiyuran.  The idol of Sri Varadarajar also known as Athiyuran (Athi Maram) made of Fig Tree.   The magnificent tower of 180 Ft built in 11th century, was the contribution of King of Vijayanagara.  The hundred pillared Mandapam, paintings and carvings reveals the ethnic beauty and the skilled craftsmanship.   The Dravidian architectural style of this temple was originated by the Cholas during the regime of Kulothunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola.  The temple is located on the top of Athigiri (Hasthigiri), one has to climb 24 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Varadaraja.  The huge idol of Lord Varadaraja with Chathurbjua and Abhyahastha is facing west.

The legend has that, Lord Brahma desired for dharshan of Lord Sriman Narayana with Shangu, Chakra, Gadha, ( Conch, Disc, Mace) / 'Chathurbuja Seva' and underwent severe penance.  Lord Narayana pleased at the devotion of Lord Brahma and gave Him dharshan in the form of 'Pushkarani' (Theertham).  Lord Brahma was not satisfied, He continued His Tapasya, Lord Narayana appeared in the form of a ‘forest’, which was came to known as 'Naimisharanya'.  At this point of time, an unknown voice from the sky instructed Lord Brahma to perform hundred Ashwamedha Yaga to get the Chathurbuja Seva of Lord Sriman Narayana as Sri Varadharaja.  Lord Brahma felt depressed at the thought of performing hundred Ashwamedha Yaga and the requirement of time and efforts for it.  As per the instruction of Lord Sriman Narayana, performing one Ashwamedha Yaga at the scared land of Kanchi is equvalent to thousand Ashwamedha Yaga, Lord Brahma began performing the Yagam and Sri Varadharajar emerged out of the scared fire.  Finally, Lord Brahma had the Chathurbuja Seva of Sri Varadharajar as He was desired. 

Sri Ramanuja lived in Kanchi and worshipped Lord Varadaraja in most of his life.  He used to bring water from a well on a daily basis, which was 2 miles away from the temple.  This well water was used for the Divyasnanam of Lord Varadaraja.  He has got the title ' Ethiraja Mamuni' from Lord Varadaraja.

Udayavar Sri Ramanuja had a disciple named Koorathalwar.  His 'Guru Bhakthi' was widely spoken.  During the reigme of Nallooran of Chozha Kingdom who ordered to pluck out the eyes of Sri Ramanuja for spreading the Vaishnavism.  Koorathalwar was deadly against this and they made a plan accordingly.  Finally, Sri Ramanuja got saved by his disciple from the punishment.  Koorthalwar lost his eyes; he came to Sri Varadaraja and composed 'Vardaraja Sthavam' praising the glory of Lord Varadaraja.  (Please refer the book ‘The Life of Sri Ramanuja’).

The temple remains open from 7.00 AM to 12.00 PM in the morning and 3.30PM to 8.00 PM in the evening.

Contact details:

 Sri Rangaraja Bhattachariar Swami, Archakar, Sri Devarajaswami Devasthanam, 9364322440   9444993370 27269470                                                                             

54/40, South Mada Street, Little Kanchipuram (Vishnu Kanchi) 631501

Jai Sriman Narayana !!