varatharaja perumal temple, kanchipuram,pic 1--5

varatharaja perumal temple, kanchipuram



This temple was originally built by the Cholas in 1053 and it was expanded during the reigns of the great Chola kings Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola. In the 14th century another wall and a gopura was built by the later Chola kings. It is an ancient temple and one of the 108 divyadesams the holy abodes of Vishnu. It is located in part of Kanchipuram called the Vishnu Kanchi that is a home for a lot of famous Vishnu temples, including this temple. One of the greatest Hindu scholars, Ramanuja is believed to have resided in this temple. The temple is a huge one on a 23-acre (93,000 m2) complex and is famous for its holiness and ancient history. Another significant thing about the temple are beautiful carved lizards and platted with gold, over the sanctum. The temple is famous for its kodai.During the bhramotsavam in vaigasi(may-june) thousands & thousands throng the temple and that increases at least by a two-fold during the garuda vahanam and ther. On normal days the temple is generally free except for some locals & a few tourists