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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