Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal
Temple, Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri
Varadaraja Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Shoolagiri Village in Shoolagiri Taluk in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding deity is called as Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal / Udayasthagirinadhar and Mother is called as Perundevi Thayar. The temple is considered as parihara sthalam for sarpa doshas.
Legends
Pandavas visit to Shoolagiri:
In Dvapara Yuga, when Pandavas lost in the
gambling to Duryodhana, they were condemned to exile in the forest, as per
the terms of the gambling. During the exile period, Pandavas went to several places
and came to Shoolagiri as well. In Shoolagiri, Arjuna consecrated Varadaraja
Perumal and worshipped him. To commemorate the visit of Pandavas to this place,
there are 5 big rocks together in the Shoolagiri hill. There is also a carving
of the dice game (gambling) indicating the connection to the
Pandavas.
Shoolagiri:
As the hill resembles trident (Shoolam in Tamil), this
place came to be called as Shoolagiri.
Vaikunta of the South:
This temple is referred to as Dakshina Vaikunta
Hasthashyla Sree Kshetram (Vaikunta of the South).
Udayasthagirinadhar:
As the rays of the setting sun fall on the feet of
Perumal during Uttharayana period, he came to be called as Udayasthagirinadhar.
History
The temple is said to have been built by the Cholas and later expanded by the Hoysalas, Vijayanagara kingdom, Nayaks and Polygars. The maha mandapam was built by Emperor Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Kingdom.
The Temple
The temple is situated on the slopes of Shoolagiri hill. This temple is facing towards west with three tiered rajagopuram. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala and pillared maha mandapam. The pillars of the mandapam are intricately carved. Sculptures of Lakshmi Narasimha, Narasimha slaying Hiranyakasipu, Navaneetha Krishnan, warrior riding a horse, various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, etc can be seen in the pillars of the maha mandapam.
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The sanctum enshrines an image of Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal / Udayasthagirinadhar. He is facing towards west. He is about seven feet tall and in standing posture. The sun rays will fall on the feet of Lord Varadaraja Perumal during sun set during the Uttharayana period (mid-Jan to mid-July) every year. The main deity has been created in such a way that it seems to be appearing bigger in size when one moves far from the sanctum. There is a separate east facing shrine for goddess Perundevi Thayar.
There is a carving of two snakes trying to swallow Sun and Moon representing eclipses can be seen in front of the goddess shrine. There is a shrine for Lord Hanuman situated in the right side of the maha mandapam. There is a small cave enshrining an idol of Hanuman can be seen behind the temple. Shrines of Garuda, Ganesha, Lakshmi Narasimha, Ramanuja and Nammalvar can be seen in the temple premises.
Temple Opening Time
The temple remains open from 05.00 AM to 12.00 Noon and
04.00 PM to 08.00 PM.
Festivals
Varadaraja Perumal Jayanthi is celebrated on 21st
May every year with special poojas, homas, Kalyanotsavam to Varadaraja Perumal
and Perundevi Thayar. Garuda Seva is performed during Vaikunta Ekadashi in the
Tamil month of Margazhi (Dec-Jan). This temple has the biggest Garuda Vahanam,
compared to all the temples in the nearby areas.
Contact
Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal Temple,
Shoolagiri, Shoolagiri Taluk,
Krishnagiri District – 635 117
Phone: +91 4344 252 608
Mobile: +91 96776 47992
Connectivity
The temple is located at about 1 Km from Shoolagiri Bus Stand,
12 Kms from Athimugam, 24 Kms from Hosur, 25 Kms from Hosur Railway Station, 29
Kms from Krishnagiri, 62 Kms from Bengaluru and 94 Kms from Bengaluru Airport.
The temple is situated Shoolagiri Town on Krishnagiri to Hosur route.
