There is a saying in Sanskrit “Nagareshu Kanchi”. It praises the city of Kancheepuram. In revered Kancheepuram, Lord Varadaraja with His Consort Perundevi Thayar blesses devotees.
Another significance to the temple is Lord Athi Varadar, who resides beneath the temple tank. As per the tradition, every 40 years, water is drained from the tank to bring out the silver casket with the idol of Athi Varadar.
The nine-foot idol is kept at Vasantha Mandapam for 48 days of public darshan. The idol is kept in a sleeping posture for the first 24 days and in a standing posture for the next 24 days. The last darshan was performed in the year 2019.
Here are Tamil verses on the glory of Lord Athi Varadar penned by Shri P.K. Subramanian, veteran journalist, based in Chennai.
