- Vishnu
Varadarajar Temple
- Chinna Kanchipuram,Tamil Nadu
- View on map
- Tell us about this temple
The Vardarajar temple is located in Kanchipuram and is one of the most important temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu in this temple town. The temple premises are spread across 20 acres. The temple is considered to be one among the 108 Divya Desams or holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Lord Vishnu was worshipped by Lord Brahma in Krita Yuga, Gajendra in Treta Yuga, Brahaspati in Dwapara Yuga and Adisesha in Kaliyuga. The Lord is also known as Devaraja Perumal, Athigiri Arulala Perumal, Karivaradar, and Giri Varadar. This temple was constructed by the Pallava kings in the 11th century A.D. However, the temple has enjoyed the patronage of the Chola as well as Vijayanagara dynasties. The temple has a grand Rajagopuram at the main entrance and a splendid 100-pillared hall with extraordinary sculptures. The tank is located behind the hall. The original idol of Lord Varadarajar was made of fig wood and is currently kept at the bed of the tank and taken out only once in 40 years. The first corridor or prakara is on the holy mound called Hasthigiri. The sanctum sanctorum is at a height of 40 feet and one needs to take 43 steps to reach the shrine. The presiding deity is found in a standing form with four hands. Other deities in the individual shrines include Goddess Perundevi, Garuda and Lord Krishna.
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- For marital bliss
- For good education
- To be blessed with wealth
- For peace and serenity
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.
Timings
7 a.m. to 12 p.m. 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.