Varadharaja Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Even though it was originally known by the name Attiyuran, this also goes by the name Hastigiri. 

Every 40 years, people worship the fig tree that served as the inspiration for the Perumal’s actual depiction for 10 days. 

The 12 poet saints, or Alwars, are believed to have visited the 108 Lord Vishnu shrines. One of the “Divya Desams” temples is this holy site. These people used to sing to worship the Lord.

It is situated close by and is run by the same Trust as the Vedapureswarar Temple. 

Varadharaja Perumal Temple Overview 

Varadharaja Perumal Temple is a Vishnu-focused Hindu temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. It is also known by the names Hastagiri and Attiyuran.

The 12 poet saints known as the Alvars are supposed to have visited one of the 108 Vishnu temples collectively referred to as the Divya Desams.  

It is located in the Vishnu Kanchi neighborhood of Kanchipuram, which is the site of many well-known Vishnu temples. It is said that Ramanuja, one of the finest Vaishnava Vishishtadvaita philosophers, resided in this temple. 

The collective name for Kanchipuram’s temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, and Kamakshi Amman Temple is Mumurtivasam (abode of trinity), while Tirupati is referred to as “Malai,” which means “hill,” and Srirangam is referred to as “Koil,” which means “temple”.  

Among the Divya Desams, the Kanchipuram Varadharaja Perumal temple is referred to as “Perumal Koil”. Melukote, commonly known as Thirunarayanapuram, the fourth installment in this series, completes it.

Vaishnavites believe that visiting all four places nonstop will guarantee one’s spot in paramapadam. 

The Kurma Varadharaja Swamy Temple is a Varadharajaswamy temple located in the Kurmai of Palamaner mandal in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. 

Legend 

Hindu mythology claims that Saraswati afflicted Indra, the ruler of the celestial gods, to transform into an elephant and roam the area.

With the help of Vishnu’s divine power-who manifested as the Mount Hastagiri—he was freed from the curse. Hastagiri denotes an elephant-shaped hill or mount.

After being freed from the goddess Saraswati’s curse, it is thought that Indra, the king of the devas, installed the silver and golden lizards in the temple, which were witnesses to the ordeal.

Brahma conducted a yagna at this location, which was on the verge of being submerged by the swiftly moving Vegavati (Saraswati in the shape of a river), now known as the Palar River.  

Vishnu, the temple deity, flattened himself to stop the flow, and the yagna was completed successfully. Given that the deity originated from a yagna performed by Brahma, his placement may have been motivated by fear of invasion by the Delhi Sultanate.

Vishnu manifested as Varadharajaswamy inside the athi tree and remained there permanently until he was submerged in a nearby tank.  

The name of the temple, Attigiri, is derived from the atti tree, which is revered by both Vaishnavas and other Hindus and is often associated with South Indian temples.

The current stone statue of the temple’s patron god was taken from a Narashima shrine nearby.  

The god, known as Devaraja Perumal, is worshipped in a manner similar to that of Adi Athi Varadharaja Perumal, or two gods coexisting in a single presiding idol. 

The Varadharaja Perumal Temple History  

The Varadharaja Perumal Temple was constructed around 1053, a time of the Chola Kings’ rule. Later, King Kulottunga Chola I and King Vikrama, two Chola Kings, extended it. The gopuram and a wall surrounding the compound were built in the fourteenth century.  

After the Mughals attacked the area in 1688, the major idol was transported to Udayarpalayam, which is today a part of Tiruchirapalli.

When everything were under control, they requested that the idol be returned; but, due to objections, a local preceptor had to get involved in order to return the idol to the Varadharaja Perumal Temple. 

Achuytaraya was charged in 1532 CE with an unfair land division between Varadharaja Perumal Temple and Ekambaranathar.  

When Achyutraya discovered that Vira Narasingaraya Saluva Nayaka had distributed the land unevenly and in violation of the orders, he promptly made amends by giving both temples equal amounts of land.

The same is mentioned in inscriptions from 1532 CE. 

Festivals Of Varadharaja Perumal Temple 

• Vaikunta Ekadashi: The Vaikunta Ekadashi is one of the most well-known celebrations held at the Varadharaja Perumal Temple. Many devotees assemble to participate in the celebration. 
•  Additionally, Paruthiyur Mahalakshmi deserves wonderful celebration days for Aadi Velli, Navaratri, and Deepavali.
• The festivals of Garuda Seva and Rath Yatra are also well-known to devotees. Popular events during Margazhi include the Adhyayana Utsavam. 
• Paruthiyur Anjaneya is honored on Purattasi Saturdays. 
• A lavish 10-day Utsavam is held on the grounds of this temple in honor of Rama Navami. It commemorates Lord Sri Ram’s birthday. 
• The holy person is transported to the surrounding places during Chitra Pournami and Pongal.

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