Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Nerkundram, Chennai
Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple
dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Nerkundram near Koyambedu in Chennai
City in Tamil Nadu. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old.
Legends
The legend here is related to the Gajendra Moksham
episode of Vishnupuranam. As per Hindu legend, King Indrajuman,
who immersed himself in the worship of Lord Vishnu,
failed to strengthen his army and lost his kingdom. While doing worship, he
also did not observe the sage Durvasa
(some sources claim it as Agastya) who went along his way. The sage got
irritated and cursed the king to be born as an elephant in his next birth.
The king apologized to the sage for his negligence and
moved by his innocence, the sage wished that he would continue to be a Vishnu
devotee as an elephant and that Vishnu would bestow him goodwill. There was a
demon by name Koohoo in the temple tank at this place, who troubled all who
took bath in the tank. He was cursed by a sage to be born as crocodile in his
next birth.
The elephant Gajendra continued as a Vishnu devotee and
while drinking water from the temple tank, his leg was grabbed the crocodile.
The elephant cried in rescue calling the name "Adimulam" and Vishnu
sent his discus to fend off the crocodile. Both the elephant and crocodile
turned to their human form by the grace of Vishnu. Since Vishnu appeared to
save the elephant Gajendra, he came to be known as Gajendara Varada. As
this Lord granted the salvation to an elephant (Kari) he came to be known as
Kari Varadaraja Perumal.
The Temple
Shrines of Alwars, Anjaneya and Vishwakasena can be
found immediately after the main entrance. Sanctum is situated immediately
after these shrines. Garuda can be see facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is
called as Kari Varadaraja Perumal. He is housed in the sanctum accompanied by Sridevi
& Bhoodevi on either side and Neela Devi & Mahalakshmi in his heart. His
right hand shows Varada Hastha and his left hand holds a Gadhayutha. His two
rear hands have Sankhu and Chakra. Simhamukham can be seen below his navel.
During pooja, while giving Harathi (Lamp offering to
God) the priest closes the screen of Sanctum and switches off the Light. When priest
takes the lamp near the God, his eyes look wide open. When the priest moves the
lamp to and fro, the eye balls looks as though following the lamp. Sanctum is
air conditioned and has glass doors. The Lord's Avatara Nakshatra is Hastham
and Thirumanjanam is performed on those days at the temple.
Uthsavar is Satyanarayana Perumal. Satyanarayana Pooja
is performed here on every full moon day. There is also another utsavar in the
Temple. He is Santhana Gopala Krishnan. This Krishna with butter in his
hand grants the boon of childbirth without fail. Another unique feature of
this temple is the community prayers that happen on Tuesdays and saturdays in
the morning at 11 am. Shrines of Andal and Mother can be found behind the
sanctum. There is no temple pond attached to it.
Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 08.30 am to 12.30 pm and 05.30
pm to 08.30 pm.
Prayers
It is the belief here that he is the lord of the
Navagrahas. All prayers are fulfilled in 9 days or 9 months (child birth) and
thanks giving is done then within 9 weeks. He is also the Lord of 27 stars. He
also said that if a devotee came for 27 months on his birth star without a
break, he could definitely achieve whatever he wished.
Contact
Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple,
Nerkundram, Koyambedu
Chennai – 600 107
Mobile: +91 99625 59123 /
99628 11792
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 750 meters from Nerkundram
Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Koyambedu Metro Station, 3 Kms from Koyambedu Chennai
Mofussil Bus Terminus, 6 Kms from Vadapalani Murugan Temple, 7 Kms from
Nungambakkam Railway Station, 11 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 13 Kms from
Chennai Central Railway Station and 16 Kms from Chennai Airport. Koyambedu is well
connected from all parts of the city by bus. The temple is located very near to
the Koyambedu Bus Stand and you can reach this place very well either in
auto/taxi or by public transport.
From Koyambedu Bus Terminus, take a left at the Roundtana
towards Poonamallee High Road. Once you cross the HP Petrol Pump on your right,
you will find a First Choice Car showroom, with a green car suspended high up
in the air on your right and the Vengaya Mandi Bus Stop on your left (it would
be the first bus stop after Koyambedu if you take buses plying from Koyambedu
towards Maduravoyal).
Turn left opposite the First Choice Showroom. Turn left
again after you enter the road. The temple is the second building on your
right. There is a garments company called Shamili Garments next to the temple. Nearest
Major Railway Stations are located at Chennai Central and Egmore. Nearest Local
Railway Station is located at Nungambakkam. Nearest Airport is located at
Meenambakkam.
Location