Varadaraja Perumal temple is situated 3 Kms from the Kanchipuram bus stand and the presiding deity is Vishnu. This is also called as Hastgiri ( Hast means elephant, Giri means hill) and the sanctum is atop a small hill. It is also one of the 108 divyadeshams of Vishnu where Alwars have sung in praise of the Lord. To reach the Varadaraja Perumal's and Perundevi Thayar sannidhi one has to climb a fleet of steps. The sanctum houses the imposing idol of Varadarajar and outside the inner prakaram of this temple there are two sacred lizards sculpted on the ceiling , covered with silver and gold sheets. Sculptures of sun and moon are also visible near this. Pilgrims are allowed to touch these lizards and it is believed that it would wash away their sins and would bring prosperity. This hill is encircled with double storeyed, enclosed verandhas with a terrace and the whole thing forming a beautiful courtyard around the Varadaraja temple. This temple is also more than one thousand years old.
This temple was earlier known as Attiiyurar. The original image of perumal was made of Attimaram (fig tree) and that image is worshipped for 10 days, once in 40 years.
There are sannidhi's for Rama,Yoga Narasimhar, Kannan, the Alwars, and the Acharyas, Kariamanikka Perumaal, Andal and Varaaha Perumaal.
The front side tower is about 180 feet high and was built in 11th century and was renovated by the Vijaya Nagara kings. The 100 pillared mandpam carved out of a single rock is a real master piece and we can see many pillars embellished with minute carvings.The temple tank is the near the 100 pillared mandapam.
Temple timings: 7 am-12 noon, 3.30 pm - 8 pm.
How to reach: Kanchipuram is well connected from Chennai by road . Regular buses at good frequently ply from various areas in Chennai.
More photos here
28 comments:
Lovely images particularly where you have captured the details, like the metal rope from which the bell is hanging!
whenever I come across your blog, I feel like I'm in ancient India. Your images are the backbone of your blog, I'm sure whoever came across your blog would have definitely find him or her in that particular temple. Great going!
Mridula,
I think you mean the chain that was made of single rock, ther's no bell at the end. They are the decorative pieces hanging around the monolithic mandapam.
Thanks Monu,
Each & every visits to these temples transports me to a bygone era and I try to imagine how life would have been at that time.
Merry christmas to you too.
Yet again, my jaw has dropped as I am in awe of the beauty! Coming from such a young nation, I am amazed at the depth of ancient treasures of India. Your blog only solidifies my desire to visit someday.
Thanks, as always, for stopping by my blog and your kind words.
my frnd stays in kanchi ngooo...used to visit him but i think i went to this temple sooo long agoo..anyways merry xmas and thanks for the pics:D
Traci,
Nice you took time off during your busy christmas holidays.
India is really a country of rich heritage and culture. It is really an ancient country.
Hary
I didn't see you blogging for some time. Any way nice to see you here. I am sure you too have travelled a lot. Any way thanks for appreciating. Merry Xmas and new year wishes to you also
Thanks for the useful information and beautiful pictures. Every time we visit India we wanted to visit this temple...but somehow could not. After reading this, we will make a visit to Kanchi as one of our top priorities. Nice job.
SG
Thank you for the comment.
Kanchi is a beautiful place and I am sure you would find it as an interesting and wonderful experience.
To think that this Temple is all these centuries old and yet the side tower is so tall, amazing to think these things ever got built without the aid of modern technology. I love the chain cut into the rock, it's spectacular.
Thank you Petty Witter,
The architecture never ceases to surprise me. Each and every visit is a different experience and the mandapam with that chain is made out of a single rock.
Just beautiful!
Thank you Susie.
thanks mam for your precious feedback on my blog, your blog is also full of resources but have an suggestion if you could change your template design to an attractive template than this blog will receive more followers & then more visitors.
So, your work of giving info about such an historical places would reach to more audiences.
Thanks krishna for your wonderful suggestion I would try to incorporate the same. I am not a computer wizard, still learning lot of things.
Thanks for sharing this info ! I have been to the temple two times but didnt know much about it, plus not knowing Tamil hampers me in many ways.
What a lovely blog! I was delighted reading this & I am definitely going to read & enjoy your earlier posts too. Think I have been to this temple as a kid.. not too sure though.
First-time here :) Thank you for sharing. Your blog is one of a kind!
lostworld,
You have a unique name. Thanks for coming here and commenting. A special thanks for the appreciation also.
you are very much welcome here.
Antarman,
I am happy you found my blog informative. When I visit a temple I am trying to get as much information as possible so that it would be helpful for anybody.
Just dropping by to wish you and yours all the best in 2010. I'm looking forward to visiting many more of your Temples.
Petty witter,
thank you so much. New year wishes to you also. I am so happy to have met friends like you.
you are always welcome here.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU & FAMILY ..... :)
the temple snaps r beautiful ... u really have an eye for detail ...
Thanks Naveen. I have left a New year wish on your post.
The details in your shots are just fabulous! Thanks again for sharing!
Nice to know you like the photos Betty. thanks for the appreciation.
Namaskar
Excellent blog and pics .
So glad to read in -
Rgds
CaptTR Retd.
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