SITUATED AT the eastern end of Kancheepuram, about 76 km from Chennai, is the Arulmigu Devarajaswami Temple. According to legend, after He created the Universe Brahma wanted Lord Vishnu to come down to the Earth. He heard the Lord's voice and began to perform the Aswamedha Yagam. When the Yagam was drawing to a close, Lord Varadaraja and His Consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi appeared out of the flames of the Yagam. Brahma prayed to the Lord to stay on Earth and bless devotees. The Lord agreed and remained in Hasthagiri.
The temple, which has two gopurams, is more than 1,000 years old, and was built over centuries by various rulers — the Chola (1018 - 1278 A.D.), Chera (1312 - 1342) and Vijayanagara kings (1400 - 1600 A.D.) Five spacious corridors and two temple tanks — Ananda Saras and Golden Lotus tank — add to the beauty of the temple. The deity of Lord Atthi Varadar made of Atthi wood, is consecrated in the four-pillared mandapam inside the Ananda Saras. The idol is taken out of the water once in 40 years and placed for darshan for 48 days before it is again put into the water. The last time the Lord gave darshan was in 1979. It is believed that the ill effects of lizards can be cured by the Vaiyamaligai Lizard at the Devarajaswami Temple. The annual Brahmotsavam of the temple is conducted for 10 days in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June). Garuda Seva on the third day of the Brahmotsavam is an important part of the festival. The Car festival is celebrated on the seventh day.
The Float Festival is held three times every year, which includes a three-day celebration at the Ananda Saras. It is also conducted in the lake in the village of Thenneri, 25 km from Kanchipuram and at a village tank called Rajakulam. Besides these several other temple festivals are celebrated throughout the year.
No comments:
Post a Comment