Varadaraja Perumal Temple,
Kanchipuram – Festivals
Vaikasi
Brahmotsavam:
Annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated for 10 days during the
Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-Jun). It begins on the Poornima – Visakha star day.
Garuda Seva is celebrated in the third day of Brahmotsavam and Chariot (Ther)
festival is celebrated in the Seventh day of Brahmotsavam. The street
procession of Lord Varadarajan on Garuda mount during Brahmotsavam is one of
the most popular events in Kanchipuram. Lord Varadaraja leaves the
temple on Garuda Vahana at 04.00 am in the early morning and return to
the
temple at noon after giving darshan to devotees.
Athi
Varadar Festival:
During the Muslim invasion, the presiding deity (Lord
Varadaraja Perumal) is said to have been damaged. As a damaged deity could not
be worshipped, it was immersed in an underground chamber inside the temple tank.
As the deity is made of Athi Maram (Fig tree), the idol came to be called as Athi
Varadar. Athi Varadan is brought out for worship for 48 days, once every 40
years. The festival was held from July 1 to Aug 17 in 2019 with much pomp
and fanfare.
The next Athi Varadar festival will be held in 2059. The
current presiding deity in the sanctum was brought from Pazhaya Seevaram, about
20 Kms from Kanchipuram. In remembrance, the Utsava idol of Lord Varadaraja
Perumal is taken on a procession once a year, during the Tamil month of Thai
(Jan-Feb) to Pazhaya Seevaram. Lord Narasimha is also taken on a procession to
Keezh Seevaram during the Sankranti period (Kanu).
Adhyayanothsavam:
Adhyayanothsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Margazhi
(Dec-Jan). It is said that Thirumangai Azhwar initiated the recital of the
Pasurams of all Azhwars. He commenced this festival on Vaikunta Ekadasi and had
the rendition of Pasurams of all Azhwars for ten days. Later, Alavandar made
this festival to last for 20 days and called the first ten days as Pagal Pathu
and the next 10 days as Raapathu and included the Pasurams of Thirumangai
Azhwar also.
Navaratri:
10 days Navaratri festival is celebrated during the
Tamil month of Purattasi. Lord Varadaraja Perumal and Goddess are seen together
in the
temple prakaram on all 10 days and on Theppotsavam festival days.
Vaikunda
Ekadasi:
Vaikunda Ekadasi is one of the most popular festivals, celebrated
in Varadharaja
Perumal Temple during the Tamil month of Margazhi.
Other
Festivals:
Thiru Karthigai , Pavitrotsavam, Aadi Pooram, Jyestha
Abhishekam, Sudarshana Jayanthi, Tamil New Year, English New Year, Azhwars and
Acharyas Satrumurai, 7 days Panguni Uthiram, Rama Navami, Chitra Pournami, Pongal,
Purattasi Saturdays, Aadi Fridays and Diwali are the other festivals celebrated
here.
Street
Procession:
Every Friday, Goddess Perundevi Thaayar goes out on a
procession within the prakaram (Goddess does not leave the
temple premises). Lord Varadarajan goes on a street procession every
month on Pancha Paravam days. When this falls on a Friday, the Lord goes out on
a street procession with the Goddess waiting at the Main Gopuram for Lord
Varadarajan to return. From the main gopuram, Lord Varadarajan and Perundevi
Thaayar come back together and both proceed to the garden behind Sudarsana
Sannidhi for the devotees to offer their worship.
Special
Abhishekams during Winter:
During winter, Lord Varadarajan wears a sweater to
protect him from cold. Sacred bath for the Lord during this period takes place
with hot water / milk.
Special
Privilege to Vedanta Desikar:
Vedanta Desikar (of Thoopul) visits Varadaraja Perumal
once a year during the month of Puratasi (Sept-Oct). This is the only Divya
Desam, where Desikar enters the Sanctum of Lord Varadaraja Perumal.
No other Azhvaar has this privilege.
Thirumanjanam:
Thirumanjanam will be done to Perumal (Moolavar) on
every Friday and on Hastha Star Days. Ekantha
Thirumanjanam will be done at Thayar Sannidhi on every
Friday. Thirumanjanam are also performed at the shrines
of Chakrathalvar, Thiruvananth Alwar and Anjaneyar Sannidhi at
Thiruvadi Koil.