Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram
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📍 Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
⭐ Featured National SignificanceOne of the most important Divya Desams in the temple city of Kanchipuram, Varadaraja Perumal Temple is famous for its lizard legends and the unique Atthi Varadar festival held once in 40 years.
🕒 Practical Information
🕉️ Spiritual Details
Lord Varadaraja Perumal (Vishnu)
Divya Desam
Varadaraja, Devaraja, Atthi Varadar
✨ Spiritual Highlights
The temple grants fulfillment of desires, educational success, marriage boons, prosperity, protection, and the rare blessing of Atthi Varadar darshan every 40 years.
The temple is famous for the miraculous golden and silver lizards, boon granting powers, the mysterious Atthi Varadar deity emergence, and numerous wish fulfillment stories.
Touching the golden and silver lizards for good fortune, offering prayers for specific boons, participating in the rare Atthi Varadar festival, circumambulating the temple, and seeking educational blessings.
Fulfillment of specific desires and boons, educational success and knowledge, marriage and relationship blessings, prosperity and good fortune, spiritual advancement, and rare Atthi Varadar blessings.
📖 About Varadaraja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram
Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is one of the 108 Divya Desams and holds special significance in the "City of Thousand Temples." The temple is dedicated to Lord Varadaraja (Vishnu), who is believed to have granted boons here, hence the name "Varada" (giver of boons). The temple is famous for its unique legends including the golden and silver lizards on the ceiling that are believed to be cursed Gandharvas, and touching them is said to bring good fortune. The temple is most renowned for the Atthi Varadar festival held once every 40 years when a special deity submerged in water is brought out for darshan.
🏛️ Architecture & Heritage
Dravidian Architecture (12th Century CE (Chola Period))
Ancient Dravidian architecture, magnificent gopurams, hundred-pillar hall, lizard ceiling legends, Atthi Varadar tank
Golden and silver lizards on ceiling, Varadaraja deity, Atthi Varadar (underwater deity), ancient sculptures
🎉 Festivals & Celebrations
Atthi Varadar: Once every 40 years (last held 2019, next 2059), Brahmotsavam: April-May
Lizard darshan ceremonies, boon granting rituals, educational blessing prayers, Atthi Varadar emergence (40-year cycle)
Monsoon boon granting season, winter festival celebrations, Atthi Varadar special seasons
🙏 Rituals & Traditions
Daily boon granting rituals, lizard touching ceremonies, traditional Vishnu worship, special educational prayers
Lizard touching tradition for good fortune, Atthi Varadar 40-year cycle festival, boon seeking customs, educational blessing rituals
Kanchipuram temple prasadam including traditional sweets, coconut rice, and boon-blessed offerings
👕 Visitor Guidelines
Traditional South Indian attire preferred. Modest clothing required. Remove footwear before entering.
Wheelchair accessible to main areas. Lizard darshan area may have steps.
🎥 Videos
🕉️ Divine Snapshot
Lord Varadaraja Perumal (Vishnu)
Divya Desam
6:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502, India
✈️ How to Reach
Chennai Airport (70 km)
Kanchipuram Railway Station (3 km)
Kanchipuram Bus Stand (2 km)
By Road: Well connected from Chennai. By Train: Regular trains from Chennai and major cities. Temple city with multiple attractions.
🏨 Accommodation
Various accommodations available in Kanchipuram including hotels, guest houses, and temple facilities.
🗺️ Nearby Attractions
Kamakshi Amman Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchi Mutt, and silk weaving centers
🙏 Associated Deities
🎧 Audio Guide Available
Audio guide is available for this temple to enhance your spiritual experience.