Thirukacchi Divyadesam - Athigiri Varadharaja Perumal Temple Kanchipuram - Swayamvyaktha Kshetram - The History
There are 7 cities in India considered holiest and they are Haridhwar, Avanthi, Kasi, Ayodhya, Dwaraga, Mathura and Kanchi. Out of these 7 cities 3 were considered to be sacred to the saivites and other 3 sacred to Vaishnavites but Kanchi is for both. Besides it was the place for learning for Jains and Budhists. Once Lord Brahma Devar wanted to worship the Almighty in His Viswaroopa Posture and underwent a penance here. Pleased Paranthaman gave him Darshan in the Form of Water in Pushkaram and in the Form of Forest in Naimisaranyam. He was then asked to carry out Ashwamedhayagam in Sathya Kshetram to see Him as Narayanan. Hence Lord Brahma decided to conduct Aswamedha Yagam and asked the Deva Sthapathi Viswakarama to make a city. Meantime Goddess Saraswathi challenged Lord Brahma Devar without the help of her he could not perform the Yagam. Ignoring here Lord Brahma started the yagna without Goddess ( Even now it’s a procedure that any poojas and karmas should be conducted only along with the consort and children ). Angry Goddess Saraswathi started troubling the yagam in all the ways. Frightened Brahma Devar begged the Almighty to help him out to complete the yagna successfully so that to have His Darshan. When Goddess Saraswathi routed the River Vedhavadhi to destroy the yagna, Almighty slept as a stoppage and the place is being worshipped as Thiruvekka. When she came to fight as Kali He subdued with His Eight Hands as Ashta Puja Karan and the place is called as Ashtapujakaram. When she darkened the entire place, He appeared as Flame and the place is known as Thiruthanka. Finaly Goddess Saraswathi surrendred to the Almighty and the Ashwamedha Yagam got completed successfully. Pleased Almighty gave darshan to Him as promised as Sreeman Narayanan under Punyakodi Vimanam. He was then requested by Brahma Devar to reside and bless the devotees as he gave prathyakshanam to him. The day was Thiruvonam Star in the month of Chitthirai. Since the Almighty blesses everyone here He is being worshipped as Varadharajan - Who Offers Boons to Everyone.
To thank the Almighty, it is believed that Lord Brahma comes and prays Varadharajan once in a year in the Mid-Night on a Full Moon Day in the month of Chitthirai. On this day even now the it is the practice that the priests place the Naivedhayam inside the main sanctum and wait outside for half an hour. 15 days succeeding this happening the Sun’s Rays fall directly on Lord Varadarajan at the time of dusk. In Srivaikundam, One of Nava Tirupatis and the One among the 18 Pandiyanadu Divyadesams in Tirunelveli the Sun’s Rays fall on Moolavar Sree Vaikundanathan for two days in the Tamil months of Chitthirai and Margazhi. Devotees can find Azhagiya Singar Sanctum on the way to Varadharajar Sannidhi. During Muslim invasion the actual Moolavar was damaged and was not in a position to worship. Hence it was immersed in the temple tank. Moolavar now in the temple was brought from a place called Pazhaya Seevaram which is around 25 km from Kanchipuram. In memory of this incident the Utsava Murthy is being taken out during the street procession to Pazhaya Seevaram once in a year in the Tamil month of Thai ( Jan-Feb ).
Athi Varadahar Dharshan Once in 40 Years
The Original Moolavar is made out of the tree Atthi, which was immersed in the temple tank and is being taken out from the pushkarini Once in 40 years for the 48 days worship. The next worship comes in the Year of 2019. Street procession of Lord Varadharajan on His Garuda Vahanam is being celebrated in a very grand manner in the month of Aani - Aadi ( July - Aug ).
The Golden and Silver Lizards
Once the disciples of the sage Gauthama Rishi, was careless and a Lizard jumped out from the water which they placed in front of his guru. By noticing this the sage got angry and cursed the disciples to become Lizards. They got then relieved when Indiran came here as Gajendran to worship Varadarajan. It is strongly believed that Devotees who worship Varadarajan and touches these Lizards on their way out will get cured from their diseases as well as all sort of disorders
The Saints and Kanchipuarm
Kanchi Varadar Temple is the place where Thirumanagai Azhwar got money for the construction of the huge compounds around Sreerangam. This is the Only Divyadesam where Vedhantha Desigar eneters into the Main sanctum in the Tamil month of Purattasi. Even the Azhwars have not this privilege. Thirukacchi Nambigal used to fan the Almighty to prevent Varadharajan from the heat and he used to have a interaction with Him daily. When Sreeman Ramanujar, who served the Almighty in Kanchipuram had to be moved to succeed Alavandhan in Sreerangam. Thirukkachi Nambigal had got permission from the Almighty, hence Atthi Varadhar got the credit of giving Sree Ramanuja to Trichy SrIrangam Divyadesam. |
