Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Puducherry – History

Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Puducherry – History

The temple is originally believed to be built by the Cholas and subsequently by the Pandyas from the 12^th century. There are inscriptions in the temple from the period of Rajaraja Chola (1014-37 CE) indicating recital of Thiruvaimozhi, the famous works of the Azhwar saint Nammazhwar. The inscription is dated 1048, the 30^th regnal year of Rajaraja. The mention of teaching Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Chandogasama, Talavakrasama, Apurva, Vajnasaneya, Bodhayaniya Sathashatandha Sutra and explanations of Sastras and epics like Ramayana are also found in the temple.

The regions changed hands from British to French colonial Empire during the 17^th century. Most temples in the place were destroyed during the French invasion, but the temple was spared. The temple housed the images of the Vedapureeswarar Temple during the destruction by the French troops during 1748. The temple was also guarded by the invading Muslim troops. The images of Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Navaneethakrishnan, Santhana Krishnan and Venugopalan were dug out from Vaithikupam in 1902 and subsequently housed in the temple. It is believed that Vasantha Mandapam was built by a Muslim.

In olden days, the temple was small in size surrounded by Bodhi Trees (Arasamaram) with Sri Narasimha as the deity. According to hearsay, the temple grew bigger with the efforts of the devotees. Narasinga Perumal is now in a temple built in the circular path in the temple facing west. When the Vedapureeswarar temple was destroyed by the French troops on 8-9-1748, a devotee Anandaranga Pillai took pains to gather all the idols from the debris and requested to protect them in the Varadaraja Perumal and Kalahasteeswarar temple, according to a note in his diary. During the Muslim invasion, many idols were kept safe in this temple. The antiquity of the temple could be well understood from these incidents. In the olden days, it is said that the temple was in the Manimadam style.