Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Adi Varaha Temple, Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu

Adi Varaha Temple, Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu
Adi Varaha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Mamallapuram Town in Chengalpattu District of Tamil Nadu. This ancient cave temple is situated at the northern end of the main Mamallapuram hill, on its western side. This temple predates the Kadal Mallai Divya Desam in Mamallapuram and is one of the two Vishnu temples that have survived ravages of the sea over a millennium. The famed Avatara inscription found in this temple, which places a floruit on the Buddha as the ninth Avatara of Vishnu, is dated to mid-7th Century.


This temple is in worship since its inception as evident from inscriptions found at the site. As the worship still continues, therefore entry of a foreign national was not allowed earlier and this is the reason that this temple was not described by the early European travellers. The fate of the temple has not changed in the modern times as well. As the temple is under worship, it is kept open only for a short period, in the morning and evening, during prayer times and for the rest of the time, it is kept closed. Due to this reason, many modern visitors and tourists skip the visit to this Temple.


Legends
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History
This temple predates the Kadal Mallai Divya Desam in Mamallapuram and is one of the two Vishnu temples that have survived ravages of the sea over a millennium. Similar to the Varaha mandapa, both have been dated to the 7th Century Narasimha Varman I Era. Although it has later inscriptions belonged to Parameshwara Pallava about consecration of the temple, its style suggests that it was built earlier. The famed Avatara inscription found in this temple, which places a floruit on the Buddha as the ninth Avatara of Vishnu, is dated to mid-7th Century.


This temple is one of the best preserved and most complete specimens of the rock-cut architecture at Mamallapuram. The temple has been modified with extra structures, most probably during the sixteenth century CE when the town witnessed resurgence during the Vijayanagara period. A modern structure, in front of the temple, restrict the view to its original shrine.

The Temple
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Inscriptions
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Temple Opening Time
The Temple remains open from 08.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and 03.00 PM to 05.00 PM.
Festivals
On the full moon day in Maasi every year, the utsava deity, Gnanapiran, goes on a procession to the sea shore on a Garuda Vahana.  
Contact
Adi Varaha Temple,
Mamallapuram – 603 104
Chengalpattu District
Mobile: +91 98404 08755
Connectivity
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