Varadharaja Perumal Temple
Encyclopedia
Varadharaja Perumal Temple or Hastagiri or Attiyuran is a famous Hindu
temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in the holy city of Kanchipuram
, Tamilnadu, India
. It is one of the Divya Desams
, the 108 temples of Vishnu believed to have been visited by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple was originally built by the Cholas in 1053 and it was expanded during the reigns of the great Chola kings Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola
. In the 14th century another wall and a gopura was built by the later Chola kings. It is an ancient temple and one of the 108 divyadesams, the holy abodes of Vishnu. It is located in part of Kanchipuram called the Vishnu
Kanchi that is a home for a lot of famous Vishnu temples, including this one. One of the greatest Hindu scholars, Ramanuja
is believed to have resided in this temple. Varadharaja Perumal Temple is a huge one on a 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) complex and shows the architectural skills of ancient vishwakarma sthapathis in temple architecture and is famous for its holiness and ancient history. Another significant thing about the temple are beautiful carved lizards and platted with gold, over the sanctum.
The temple is famous for its kodai. During the bhramotsavam in Vaigasi (May/June) thousands throng the temple and that increases at least by a two-fold during the garuda vahanam and ther.
On normal days the temple is generally free except for some locals and a few tourists.
.
Today Varadharaja Perumal Temple is administrated by the Tamil Nadu Government through the Ministry of Hindu Religion and Charitable Endowments having the Thathachariars as the Honorary Trustees. There is a verdict going on in the Courts to re-establish the right of Administration entirely with the Thathachariar families as it was existing before 1975 A.D
- 4 Paasurams, Bhoothathalvar
- 2 Paasurams and Peyalvar
- 1 Paasuram.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in the holy city of Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, or Kanchi, is a temple city and a municipality in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a temple town and the headquarters of Kanchipuram district...
, Tamilnadu, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is one of the Divya Desams
Divya Desams
Divya Desams refer to 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the works of the Tamil Azhvars . 105 of these are located in India, 1 in Nepal, while 2 are located outside of the Earthly realms. 'Divya' in Tamil language indicates premium and 'Desam' indicates place or temple.The two major deities...
, the 108 temples of Vishnu believed to have been visited by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.
Varadharaja Perumal Temple was originally built by the Cholas in 1053 and it was expanded during the reigns of the great Chola kings Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola
Vikrama Chola
Kōpparakēsarivarman Vikrama Chola was a 12th century king of the Chola empire. He succeeded his father Kulothunga Chola I to the throne in 1120 C.E. A insscription of his from Sidlaghatta in Karnataka mentions the Saka date 1042...
. In the 14th century another wall and a gopura was built by the later Chola kings. It is an ancient temple and one of the 108 divyadesams, the holy abodes of Vishnu. It is located in part of Kanchipuram called the Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
Kanchi that is a home for a lot of famous Vishnu temples, including this one. One of the greatest Hindu scholars, Ramanuja
Ramanuja
Ramanuja ; traditionally 1017–1137, also known as Ramanujacharya, Ethirajar , Emperumannar, Lakshmana Muni, was a theologian, philosopher, and scriptural exegete...
is believed to have resided in this temple. Varadharaja Perumal Temple is a huge one on a 23 acres (93,077.8 m²) complex and shows the architectural skills of ancient vishwakarma sthapathis in temple architecture and is famous for its holiness and ancient history. Another significant thing about the temple are beautiful carved lizards and platted with gold, over the sanctum.
The temple is famous for its kodai. During the bhramotsavam in Vaigasi (May/June) thousands throng the temple and that increases at least by a two-fold during the garuda vahanam and ther.
On normal days the temple is generally free except for some locals and a few tourists.
Administration
The Thathacharyas are the custodians of the Kanchipuram Perarulalan Kovil, popularly known as Varadaraja Perumal temple. They are the Pradhana Acharya Purushas in the protocol to receive and deliver the temple honours. In retrospection Tirumalai Nambi's son Tirukkurukai Piran Pillan was ordained by Ramanuja himself as the first and foremost among the 74 Peetadhipathis to propagate Visishtadwaita philosophy after him. Pillan was also chosen by Ramanuja as the competent person to write the commentary on Tiruvaimozhi. The annotation of Tiruvaimozhi thus brought out by Pillan under the behest of Ramanuja is called the famous Araiyarpadi, the first gloss in Manipravala, an elegant mixture of Tamil and Sanskrit words, on the Divya Prabhandam.
Today Varadharaja Perumal Temple is administrated by the Tamil Nadu Government through the Ministry of Hindu Religion and Charitable Endowments having the Thathachariars as the Honorary Trustees. There is a verdict going on in the Courts to re-establish the right of Administration entirely with the Thathachariar families as it was existing before 1975 A.D
Mangalasasanam
Thirumangai AlvarThirumangai Alvar
Thirumangai Alvar or Tirumangai Alvar or Tirumankai Alvar or Thirumangai Mannan is the last of the 12 Alvar saints of south India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. He is considered one of the most learned Alvar and the most superior Alvar in the context of...
- 4 Paasurams, Bhoothathalvar
Bhoothathalvar
Bhoothathalvar is one of the 12 Alvar saints of South India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. The temples reverred by the verses of azhwars are termed Divya desam....
- 2 Paasurams and Peyalvar
Peyalvar
Peyalvar is one of the 12 Alvar saints of South India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. The temples reverred by these azhwars are termed Divya desam....
- 1 Paasuram.