Sunday, June 6, 2021

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – First Prakaram

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.