Sundaravarada Perumal Temple, Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram
Sundaravarada
Perumal Temple in Uthiramerur, a village in the South Indian state of Tamilnadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The Temple was constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple. Vishnu is worshipped as Sundaravarada
Perumal & his consort Lakshmi as Anandavalli. The temple was originally built
by Pallavas, with later additions from the Cholas, Pandyas, Sambuvarayas, Vijayanagara Rayas and the
Nayaks.
A
granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a
five-tiered Rajagopuram, the gateway tower. The temple tank is located adjacent
to the temple, outside the main entrance. Unlike other temples, the temple has
three sanctums in a two tiered structure and three shrines in three cardinal
directions in the lower level. Sundaravarada Perumal is believed to have
appeared for Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, the Pandava princes in Mahabharata, while Anandavalli for their wife Draupadi.
The
temple follows Vadakalai tradition of worship. Six daily rituals and many
yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Brahmotsavam during
the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May), Pavitrotsavam
during Adi (July - August) and Sri Jayanti in Avani (August
- September) being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and
administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
Uthiramerur
village is located about 85 kms from Chennai off the GST Road. Uthiramerur is
well connected by road with buses plying from Chennai and Kanchipuram. This is
an ancient village well known for its temples, architecture, sculptures and
stone inscriptions. The main temple here is for Sri Sundara Varadaraja Perumal
which is said to be built in 750 AD during Pallava rule. A king called Nandivarman
Pallavan has donated this whole town to 1200 Vedic scholars who settled down
here. Those days this place was called as Uthiramerur Chaturvedimangalam.
Later it
has been renovated by Rajendra Chola in 1013 AD and again renovated by
Krishnadevaraya in 1520 AD. This is one of and most ancient and wonderful
temples filled with architectural brilliance with great sculptures all around. Uthiramerur
is also known as the birth place of democracy. The stone inscriptions in this town explains how
constitutions were laid for democratic administration and also about electoral
systems etc., People here have followed the election system called “Kudavolai” system for
electing their favorite leaders in the local elections and the rules for
nominating in elections and the voting systems which is the fore runner for
today’s electoral
systems.
This is
currently the most visited temple in the town, with regular pooja and
other rituals. It belongs to Pallava period and with liberal patronage over
time it is well maintained. However, the mandapam in the front is in a dilapidated
condition and is used as Gosala. In this temple the main deity is Sundara
Varada Perumal in the standing posture in the ground floor. On the first floor
of the vimana he is in the sitting posture as Vaikunda Varadar and on the
second floor as Ranganatha in lying posture.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
History
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple
Opening Time
The Temple
is open from 7 A.M – 12 noon and 4 P.M – 8 P.M
Religious
Practises & Festivals
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Contact
Sundaravarada
Perumal Temple,
Uthiramerur,
Kanchipuram
Tamilnadu,
India
Mobile: +91 94423 11138 /
97510 35544
Mobile: +91 94863 69455 /
94430 68382
Connectivity
Uthiramerur
is well connected by bus from Tambaram. Tambaram to Uthiramerur is about one
and half hours journey. Plenty of buses are there – roughly every half an hour.
After Mamandur on the GST, the bus takes a right turn. Once we leave the GST,
it is pristine country side with occasional granite factories. The town is very
busy and has very good bus facilities to Kanchipuram and Chengalpet.
This
temple is situated very close to the Bus Stand. The temple can be reached
through Kancheepuram-Uthiramerur buses running via Magaral. The temple is 22 km
far from Kancheepuram.
Uthiramerur
can be reached either from Chengalpet side from the NH 45. It is about 18 kms
from Bukathurai. Take the right on the highway after Andal Azhagar engineering
college. The road ends at Uthiramerur in front of the Sundara Varada Perumal
temple.
References
