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| New Tamil Year Greetings 2026 indianexpress.com |
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| Happy New Tamil Year greetings news18.com |
Above image: Puthandu History: Across India almost all major languages have their own history,growth and tradition. With respect to Tamil New year day (Puthandu), its history dates back thousands of years and is deeply ingrained in ancient Tamil culture and astronomy. Tradition has been that it follows the solar calendar, marking the day when the sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries (Mesha), which is considered the start of a new year in many Indian traditions............
Today being an auspicious day, I have covered the architectural splendor of Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple of Kanchipuram:
Introduction and Historical Significance
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| Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple, TN. bhaskarassets.com |
The Varadharaja Perumal Temple, located in the Vishnu Kanchi suburb of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the most revered Divyadesam shrines in the Vaishnavite tradition, glorified by the Tamil poet-saints known as the Azhwars. This sacred temple has witnessed contributions from various South Indian dynasties, including the Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras, Kakatiyas, Sambuvarayar, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara kings. A significant renovation occurred in 1053 CE under the Cholas, with further expansions by the great kings Kulothunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola.
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| Varadaraja Perumal temple, kanchipuram TN emplepurohit.com |
During the Mughal expansion in 1688, the temple's main idol was temporarily moved to Udayarpalayam (now in the Tiruchirappalli district) to protect it. Thanks to the efforts of General Todarmal, the idol was eventually brought back to the temple for regular worship. Notably, the British colonial officer Robert Clive visited the temple during the Garuda Seva festival and presented a valuable necklace, now known as the "Clive Maharkandi." This necklace is adorned on the deity during special occasions. This incident took place in the 18th century when he led the army from Madras to Arcot in support of the Nawab of Arcot against Chanda Shaib.
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| Pillared hall to the sanctum Varadaraja Perumal temple, thetempleguru.com |
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| Varadaraja Perumal temple, ornate stone platform and pillars,TN pinimg.com |
The temple complex spans a vast 23.5 acres and showcases the architectural brilliance of ancient Vishwakarma Sthapathis. It features three outer precincts, or prakarams, which include the Azhwar Prakaram, Madai Palli Prakaram, and Thiru Malai Prakaram. There are 32 shrines, 19 vimanams (towers), 389 pillared halls, and several sacred tanks, including the Anantha Theertham. The pillared halls are particularly notable for their yali (lion) sculptures and intricate carvings depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The most exquisite sculptures include those of Rati, Manmatha, Lakshmi Narayana, Lakshmi Narasimha, Lakshmi Varaha, and Lakshmi Hayagreeva.
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| ornate pillars of Varadaraja Perumal Temple, TN indianetzone.com |
The Main Sanctum and Rajagopuram
The temple’s west-facing main sanctum is accessed through a 40-meter-tall, seven-tiered Rajagopuram (main gateway tower). The presiding deity, Varadharaja Perumal, is a 3-meter-tall granite idol in a standing posture, while his consort, Perundevi Thayar, is represented by a 1.2-meter-tall image in a seated posture. One fascinating aspect of the temple’s design is that, on the 15th day after Chitra Purnima, the rays of the sun fall directly on the deity, showcasing the ancient architects' astronomical knowledge.
In front of the main shrine is a 100ft tall monolithic flagstaff - the Dhwajastambha The Ananta Theertham, a holy tank is on the north of the 100 pillar mandalam. .
The eastern gopuram of the temple is even taller than the western one, which is a unique feature, as most large temples have their Rajagopuram as the tallest structure. Another renowned architectural piece within the temple is a huge stone chain sculpted from a single stone, a testament to the master craftsmanship of the era.
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| Varadaraja Perumal temple, kanchi Sculptures galore en.wikipedia.org |
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| varadaraja Perumal temple,stone chain kanchi, cultureandheritage.org |
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| Stone chain, varadaraja Perumal temple, Kanchi.TN bp.blogspot.com |
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| Stone chain, varadaraja Perumal temple, kanchi bp.blogspot.com |
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| Amazing stone sculptures on the pillars. Varadaraja Perumal temple en.wikipedia.org |
Athi Varadar: The Wooden Idol
Apart from the main stone idol, the temple houses a sacred wooden image of Varadarajaswamy made of Atthi (fig tree). This idol is kept submerged in a secret chamber under water and is brought out for worship only once every 40 years. The festivities around the Athi Varadar last 48 days, after which the idol is returned to its chamber. It is believed that heavy rains fill the temple tank immediately after the idol is immersed, signifying divine approval.
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| Wooden idol of Athi varadar, masalabox.co |
There are two mandalas in the tank one for Lord Sri Athigiri and another called the Neerali Mandalam. Lord Sri Athigiri Varadaraja is lying below the water and is taken out once in a generation for the worship of devotees
Other Shrines and Notable Sculptures
The temple also houses a shrine dedicated to Narasimha on the hillock, known for its mysteriously powerful mask of Narasimha. Another unique shrine is that of Malayala Nachiyar (Kerala consort), built during the reign of the Chera kings in the early 14th century.
In addition, there is a shrine for Chakrathazhwar (Sudarshana) on the eastern side of the temple tank. The image of Chakrathazhwar has six hands, and the festival image features seven different depictions of Sudarshana within the same chakra. The shrine is believed to have been constructed during the rule of Kulothunga Chola III in 1191 CE.
The Temple's Rich Legacy
The Hundred Pillared Hall within the temple, a masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture, contains intricate carvings from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, including a remarkable stone chain. The temple’s car, used during festivals, is believed to have been donated by Krishnadevaraya in 1517 CE. The temple also has murals commissioned during the 16th century by the Vijayanagara kings.
Conclusion
The Varadharaja Perumal Temple stands as a magnificent example of South Indian temple architecture and cultural history. With its intricate carvings, sacred rituals, and deeply rooted traditions, it remains a significant pilgrimage site, drawing thousands of devotees and history enthusiasts every year from many parts of India.
https://cultureandheritage.org/2024/03/sri-varadaraja-perumal-temple-kanchipuram.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varadharaja_Perumal_Temple,_Kanchipuram
https://www.indianetzone.com/44/architecture_sri_varadaraja_perumal_temple.html
https://www.templepurohit.com/hindu-temple/sri-varadaraja-perumal-temple-kanchipuram-tamil-nadu
K. N. Jayaraman (Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com)
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