Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Puducherry – The Temple

Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Puducherry – The Temple

The five-tiered Rajagopuram, the temple's gateway tower, is 110 ft. (34 m) tall. The temple is 800 years old. There is no discrimination of Vadakalai and Thenkalai sects of Vaishnava culture in this Temple. While many temples of Puducherry were destroyed during the alien invasions, this is the one temple that has survived the onslaught of the enemies. The temple is a wealth of Chola Architecture (Dravidian style). Surrounded by a granite wall, the temple encloses all its shrines.

The temple is originally believed to have been built by the Cholas during the 11^th century, which was later expanded by the Pandyas. This is an associate temple related to the temple in Thiruvahindapuram, one of 108 Divyadesams. The temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The sanctum houses the image of Varadaraja Perumal in standing posture 5 ft. (1.5 m) is made of granite sporting four arms.

Two of his arms hold the conch and Chakra, while the other two sport Abayamudra and Kadahasta. The images of Sridevi and Bhudevi are located on either of his sides. The festive image is called as Devadhirajan and the image has identical features as that of the presiding deity. The Ardha mandapa is guarded by two Dwarapalas on either side. Lord Narasimha, an incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu is placed behind Sanctum.

The two great weapons of Lord Vishnu, Sudharsana (discus) and the Panchajanya, the conch are carved on the two sides of the Poorna Kumba in the temple. The Vasantha Mandapa in the temple was built by a Muslim.  There is a separate shrine of Perundevi in the second precinct, which also houses the festival image. There is a mirror hall in the temple adjacent to the sanctum. There are paintings done in modern days around the walls of the precinct showing the 108 Divya Desams.

There are separate shrines for Vaishnava Gurus like Nikamanda Maha Desikan and Manavala Mamunigal. The images of Rama, Sita, Hanuman, Navaneethakrishnan, Santhanakrishnan and Venugopalan were dug out from Vaithikupam in 1902 and subsequently housed in the temple. Sundara Anjaneyar was found in the land of one Alagananda Mudaliar.

There are 83 spring holes in Pushkarani holy spring. There are also 12 wells. The water in the temple tank is considered to be medicinal and devotees take a dip to cure themselves of common ailments. The water is green in colour as it contains an acid. Scientists had confirmed the acid content. Bathing in this water cures fever, headache etc. Main Theertham is called as Chandra Pushkarani. Sthala Vriksham is Iluppai Tree.