Varadaraja Perumal of Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, one of India's seven sacred cities and a revered center of Vishnu worship, is home to the magnificent Varadaraja Perumal Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his form as Varadaraja, meaning 'the bestower of boons'. It is counted among the important Divya Desams, the sacred abodes of Vishnu celebrated by the Alvar saints in their devotional hymns.
The temple's towering gopuram and vast pillared halls reflect centuries of devotion and patronage, and it stands today as one of South India's grandest Vishnu shrines, drawing pilgrims from across the country.
The Legend of Brahma's Yagna and Athi Varadar
According to temple legend, Lord Brahma once performed a great yagna, a sacred fire ritual, on the hill where the temple now stands, and Lord Vishnu appeared before him as Varadaraja to bless the occasion. The temple is believed to mark this sacred site of divine appearance.
The temple's sanctum also holds the utsava murti known as Athi Varadar, carved from a fig tree, or athi wood. As per a distinctive and closely held tradition, this deity is kept submerged in the temple's sacred tank for long stretches of time and brought out for public darshan only at rare intervals, an event that draws enormous crowds of devotees whenever it occurs.
The Katha of the Golden and Silver Lizards
Among the temple's most talked-about features are the pair of golden and silver lizard images, or godhika, set into the ceiling of one of the temple's mandapams. Temple legend tells of two celestial beings who, cursed to take the form of lizards for a transgression, were freed from their curse upon touching Lord Vishnu here, after which the Lord is said to have granted that their images be installed in gratitude.
As per tradition, darshan of these lizard images is offered to devotees only once every several decades, an occasion considered extraordinarily rare and auspicious. Devotees who have had the fortune of this darshan speak of it as a once-in-a-lifetime blessing, and stories of the tradition are passed down through generations of pilgrims even by those who have never witnessed it themselves.
Darshan Guide
The temple observes its regular schedule of daily rituals and is open through the year for darshan of Lord Varadaraja and the temple's other shrines.
- Devotees should confirm current local information about any special darshan events, as the rare lizard-idol and Athi Varadar darshans draw exceptional crowds when they occur
- Kanchipuram's temple town also houses the equally renowned Ekambareswarar Shiva temple, and many pilgrims visit both in a single trip
- Modest dress and patience in queues are expected, particularly during festival season
- The temple's stone chariot and thousand-pillared hall are notable sights within the complex
How to Reach Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram is located in Tamil Nadu, roughly seventy kilometres from Chennai, making it an easy day trip or short pilgrimage stop from the state capital.
The town has its own Kanchipuram Railway Station, and Chennai International Airport serves as the nearest major air link, with regular buses and taxis connecting the two.
Many devotees combine their visit with other temples in and around Kanchipuram, given the town's standing as one of India's most temple-rich pilgrimage centers.
Mantra and a Devotee's Takeaway
Devotees chant 'Om Namo Narayanaya' while offering prayers to Lord Varadaraja, invoking Vishnu as the refuge of all beings.
The rare and patient unveiling of Varadaraja's sacred forms, whether the submerged Athi Varadar or the ceiling's lizard images, teaches devotees that some blessings are worth the wait, and that faith is sustained not by frequency of sight but by constancy of devotion. A visit to Kanchipuram, in whatever season it falls, is an act of faith and love, not a transaction.
Common Questions From Devotees
What is special about the lizard idols at Varadaraja Perumal temple?+
The temple ceiling holds golden and silver lizard images that, as per tradition, devotees believe grant relief from doshas connected to lizards when viewed during the rare periods they are opened for darshan.
Who is Athi Varadar?+
Athi Varadar is the temple's sacred utsava murti carved from fig, or athi, wood, which as per temple tradition is kept submerged in the temple tank and revealed for public darshan only at rare, widely anticipated intervals.
How far is Kanchipuram from Chennai?+
Kanchipuram is roughly seventy kilometres from Chennai, making Varadaraja Perumal temple an accessible day pilgrimage from the city.
About the author
Pandit Ravindra Sharma · Vedic Rituals & Bhakti, 22+ years
Pandit Ravindra is the Vandnaa editorial team's resident specialist on aarti, chalisa, and daily devotion. He has performed home and temple pujas across Varanasi and Delhi for over two decades and contributes the bhakti-focused articles on this site.
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