Thread by @History_Mystery

#VaradharajaPerumalTemple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in the holy city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu believed to have been visited by the 12 poet saints or Alwars.

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#VaradharajaPerumalTemple
along with Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram is popularly known as Mumurtivasam (abode of trio).

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Panel in the #VaradharajaPerumalTemple
where the 2 lizards (Golden & Silver) are depicted in the roof.

One legend states that Indra, after getting released from curse of Goddess Saraswati, installed the silver & golden lizards who were the witness of the ordeal.

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As per another legend, 2 sons of Sage Brighu were the disciples of Sage Gautama. They did not notice that two lizards had fallen into the water they brought for their mentor’s puja.  Gautama cursed them to be changed as lizards.

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When they sought relief, the Rishi said it lies in Kanchipuram. When they reached there & begged Lord Perumal for salvation. He said that their soul would reach Him while their mortal coil would remain in lizard forms & that Sun and Moon would be witnesses to this boon.

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Brahma performed a yagna here, which was about to be washed away by the fast flowing river Vegavathi (Goddess Saraswati herself), known today as Palar River. Brahma was afraid and surrendered before Lord Narayana requesting the Lord to save him from this imminent danger.

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Lord Narayana lied down across flowing river to stay flow & yagna was successfully performed. As Saraswati did not have strength to cross Lord Narayana, she entered the earth & disappeared.

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At the end of the yagna, the brightest and most beautiful Lord Varadarajar appeared with brilliance of 1000 sun along with his consorts Sridevi and Boodevi in Punniakodi vimanam which came out of Yaga Agni (Holy Fire).

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#VaradharajaPerumalTemple has 3 outer precincts (prakarams) namely Azhwar Prakaram, Madai Palli Prakaram & Thiru Malai Prakaram. There are 32 shrines, 19 vimanams, 389 pillared halls. The main sanctum faces west & can be entered through a 130 feet tall, 7-tiered rajagopuram.

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The temple has wooden image of Varadarajaswamy made of Atthi or the fig tree & preserved under water within a silver box. It is brought out for worship once every 40 years. The festivities last 48 days after which it is immersed in water and stored for the next 40 years.

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📷1::It is believed that there is a heavy downpour after the idol is immersed to fill the Anantha Sarovar.

📷2: The Presiding deity is 3 m tall idol made of granite in standing posture.

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There is a 100 pillared hall in #VaradharajaPerumalTemple which has sculptures depicting Ramayana and Mahabaratha & several ornate carvings, notable of which being a stone chain. It is a masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture.

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Exquisitely carved Pillars at #VaradharajaPerumalTemple.

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#PhotoTweet 2 of highly sculpted pillars at #VaradharajaPerumalTemple.

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