Varadaraja Perumal Temple - ePrarthana.com

The temple is a big one with two gopurams one at the west and the other in the east. The east gopura is taller one 125 ft. high with 7 storeys. Most of the parts have been renovated by the Vijayanagara kings.

Brahma wanted Mahavishnu to appear before him with conch and discus. And he was told that it will be conceded if Brahma will perform hundred Asvamedha Yagnas in Kanchi. Brahma did as he was told and Vishnu gave darshan in the desired form, As Brahma got the varam (boon) here. He came to be known as Varadan.

Hsta-giri means elephant hill. As Gajendran worshipped here, the plave was called Hasta giri. The Deity faces west and is on an artificial hill. People go only through the western entrance. After going into the temple, we face a tank and an artistic Kalyanamandapa in the left. As the tank occupies the place where Adiseshan did penance, it is called Ananta pushkarani. Around the tank are the shrines of Ranganathar, Rama and 16-armed Chakkarath Alvar. Nearby is the godown of vehicles. The water to this holy tank is obtained from a big tank called Sarvathirtham that is near Ekambaranatha temple. The tank has a small mandapa in it, the floor being inside the water in which a deity called Adi Varadar is kept. It is taken out once in 40 years, exhibited for some time and then replaced within the tank. The reason for keeping an image is clear.

The hundred-pillared Kalyana mandapa in the open space is a gallery of art. The Vijayanagara rulers to compete with Cholas erected mandapas and carved intricately. The columns contain some legends from mythology. In the centre of the hall is a raised platform to seat the idols during festivals. The goddess is Perundevi Thayar and she is never taken out in festival processions. On the other hand, during floating festival she goes to thirumanjana Keni, which is within the temple. That is why she is called Padi Thanda Pattini.

In the third corridor, are Valampuri Vinayagar Ramar, Andal, Visvaksenar, and Danvantri. In Vaishnavite temples too, one can see Vinayagar and here he is known as Thumbikhai Alvar, Danvantri is the physician for Devas. On the whole we have to tread 24 and 6 steps to reach the sanctum. There is a meaning for this number. Vaishnavite essence is 24, six indicates the upadesa of Varada to Tirukachi Nambi. We now enter the sanctum and stand before Varada. Except his face, everything else is under a sheath of gold and diamonds. The head gear kondai was given by Venkatadri and the Padakkam was presented by Lord Clive. The festival idol too is a very beautiful one and has scars on its face. It is said that the heat of the Brahma Yaga was responsible for them. Brahmotsavam takes place in Panguni- Chittarai and the God goes in procession for 12 Kms.