Varadharaja Perumal Templeवरदराज पेरुमाल मंदिर

About Varadharaja Perumal Temple

The Varadharaja Perumal Temple, also called Hastigiri or simply Perumal Koil, is the grandest Vishnu temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, standing in the Vishnu Kanchi part of the city. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Varadaraja, the king who grants boons, with his consort Perundevi Thayar. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams praised by the Alvar saints, and for Sri Vaishnavas it ranks with Srirangam and Tirumala among the holiest shrines. The great teacher Ramanuja is believed to have lived and served here.

According to legend, Brahma performed a great sacrifice at Kanchi, and when the river Vegavati threatened to wash it away, Vishnu lay across the flood to stop it; he then appeared from the sacred fire as Varadaraja. Tradition also says that Indra, cursed to become an elephant, was freed here, giving the hill its name Hastigiri. An ancient wooden image of the Lord made from fig wood, called Athi Varadar, is kept submerged in the temple tank and brought out for public darshan only once in about forty years; the last time was in 2019. The present temple was rebuilt by the Cholas in the 11th century and greatly expanded under later rulers, especially the Vijayanagara kings.

The complex covers a large area with two main gopurams, several enclosures and many halls. The sanctum is on top of a raised platform, the Hastigiri, reached by a flight of 24 steps. The Vijayanagara-era hundred-pillared mandapa is famous for its carvings, including stone chains carved from single blocks. In the ceiling of one passage are gold- and silver-plated lizards; devotees touch them in the belief that it removes the ill effects of lizard omens. The large Ananta Saras tank lies within the walls.

Varadharaja Perumal Temple timings & aarti

Usually open from about 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.

Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.

How to reach Varadharaja Perumal Temple

Festivals at Varadharaja Perumal Temple

• Vaikasi Brahmotsavam with Garuda SevaiMay/Jun
• Vaikunta EkadasiDec/Jan
• Panguni UthiramMar/Apr
• NavaratriSep/Oct

Visitor tips

Dress code

Modest traditional clothing is recommended (dhoti or trousers with shirt for men, saree or salwar for women).

Entry

Free general darshan. Small fees apply for some special darshans, for touching the golden lizards and for camera use.

• Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and the midday heat.
• Ask temple staff where the queue for the golden and silver lizards begins.
• Take time to see the hundred-pillared hall and its carved stone chains.
• Kanchipuram's main temples are spread out; an auto for a half-day tour is convenient.
• Footwear must be left outside the temple gate.

Places to visit near Varadharaja Perumal Temple

• Kamakshi Amman TempleMajor Shakti shrine of Kanchipuram, about 4 km away
• Ekambareswarar TemplePancha Bhoota temple of Shiva (earth), about 4 km away
• Ulagalantha Perumal TempleDivya Desam shrine of Vishnu as Trivikrama, about 4 km away
• Kailasanathar Temple8th-century Pallava stone temple of Shiva, about 6 km away

Frequently asked questions