Varadaraja Perumal Temple,
Kanchipuram – First Prakaram
The first prakaram is situated on the Hasthigiri
hill. It houses the sanctum and the two co-axial walled mandapams. This
prakaram is also called as Thiru Malai Pradakshinam / Senaiyar Kon Thirumutram.
Sanctum:
The Sanctum is situated on the top of a 10 metre tall
small hillock called Athigiri
(Hasthigiri). The
Hastagiri is about 360 m (1,180 ft) long by 240 metres (790 ft). It
can be accessed through flight of 24 steps. The 24 steps represent the number
of letters of Gayatri Maha Mantra. The hillock is encircled with
double-storied, covered verandas with a terrace which takes the form of a
beautiful courtyard around the shrine.
Presiding Deity is called as Varadaraja Perumal / Perarulaalan
/ Athigiri Arulala Perumal Kari Varadar / Giri Varadar / Devathiraja Perumal / Deva
Raja Perumal and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in standing
posture with four arms (Chatur Bhuja). He is about 10 feet (3.0 m) tall and
made of granite. The idol of Varadaraja Perumal is believed to be the second
largest idol and the largest idol being Tirupati
Balaji idol.
Sun’s rays fall directly on Lord Varadaraja Perumal at
the time of dusk on the 15th day after Chitra Purnima (full moon day
in Chithirai). During winter, Lord Varadaraja Perumal wears a sweater to
protect him from cold. Sacred bath for the Lord during this period takes place
with hot water / milk. There is a belief that Lord Brahma comes here once a
year on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May) around
mid-night, for a darshan of Varadarajan.
On this day, it is the practice for the priests to place
food inside the sanctum and to wait outside for 24 minutes. At the end of this,
the food is said to smell sweeter. The Vimana over the sanctum is called as
Punya Koti Vimana. The Utsava Idol is housed in the glass mandapam. He is
with fire wound scars on his face. It was told that the scars are due to the
emergence of Perumal from the fire of Yagna performed by Lord Brahma. It
has murals on the ceiling dating back to Vijayanagara period.
Narasimha
Shrine:
There is a shrine for Lord Narasimha / Azhagiya Singar
beneath the sanctum. It is said that the Narasimhar shrine is first shrine to
be built in this
complex. The origin of the mask of Narasimha is mysterious and
believed to possess inexplicable powers. He is found along with Arithra Devi
Thaayar. The Vimana over his shrine is called as Guha Vimana.
Lizard
Carvings:
There are two beautifully carved lizard on the ceiling
of the sanctum. One lizard is gilded with gold and another lizard is gilded with
silver along with the figures of Sun and Moon. It was believed that Lord Indra
installed after he was relieved from the curse of Goddess
Saraswathi. Devotees touch these lizard figures; as per the belief, it
will relieve them from their diseases and problems.
Malayala
Nachiyar Shrine:
There is a shrine for Malayala Nachiyar beneath the sanctum
in this prakaram. Malayala Nachiyar is considered as Kerala consort of Lord
Varadaraja Perumal. It is said to have been built by Chera Kings in 14th
Century CE.
Dhanvandhri
Shrine:
There is a shrine for Dhanvandhri, god of medicine,
beneath the sanctum in this prakaram.
Other
Shrines:
Shrines of Periya Thiruvadi (Garuda). Andal and Vishwaksena
can be found at the entrance of the sanctum.
