A Wandering Heritager: THE TALE OF ATHI VARADHAR DHARSHAN, SRI VARADHARAJA PERUMAL TEMPLE, KANCHIPURAM.

Thursday 1 August 2019

THE TALE OF ATHI VARADHAR DHARSHAN, SRI VARADHARAJA PERUMAL TEMPLE, KANCHIPURAM.

18^th July 2019.

‘ஒன்றே புகலென்றுணர்ந்தவர் காட்டத் திருவருளால்

அன்றே அடைகலம் கொண்டநம் அத்திகிரித் திருமால்

இன்றே இசையில் இணையடி சேர்ப்பர் இனிப்பிறவோம்

நன்றே வருவதெல்லாம்: நமக்குப்பரம் ஒன்றிலதே!’

-தேசிகப் பிரபந்தம்.

The news of Athi Varadhar taken out from the temple Tank after 40 years and kept in a mandapa, was spreads like wild fire through various medias. It was told that Athi Varadhar will give dharshan for 48 days, from 1^st July 2019. In that 48 days Athi Varadhar will be in sayana ( reclining position ) posture for 31 days and the balance days in standing posture. I was little curious to know more about Athi Varadhar. Athi Varadhar statue was made of Athi Tree wood ( Ficus racemosa ) which will not decayed when kept in water.

There was a heavy rush from the beginning for the dharshan of Athi Varadhar. The devotees from far off places and neighboring states also came for the dharshan. In the First week, it was told that a minimum of 1 lakh people had the dharshan daily and it touched to a peak of 2 lakhs, on Saturdays and Sundays. Almost all the politicians and the President of India too visited Kanchipuram to have Athi Varadhar’s Dharshan.

The news about the dharshan within ½ hour and 2 hours etc made me to think seriously for Athi Varadhar’s Dharshan. In addition to this it may not be possible for me for the next time (after 40 years ) dharshan. Most of the people expressed the same. So I mentally prepared for the Athi Varadhar’s dharshan on 18^th July 2019. I didn’t know that it was a Thiruvona Nakshatra falls on that day ( Perumal’s Nakshatra is Thiruvonam ). This also attracted many peoples.

Started from Tambaram Bus Terminus around 04.45 Hrs. On Padappai, Oragadam route noticed lot of vans and cars plying to Kanchipuram for Athi Varadhar’s dharshan. It was learnt that a new temporary Vehicle parking was created at Pachaiappa’s College ground for the Vehicles coming from East side of Kanchipuram. Due to traffic jam, we are forced to walk a distance of 5 KM to reach the temporary Vehicle parking place. From there through Mini bus reached the east side entry point around 07.30 hrs.

The entry from the east Rajagopuram was highly un regulated and it took almost 3 hours to join with the regular barricaded “Q”. Peoples are not allowed continuously. In front of Rajagopuram, a 200 meters distance was stretched to about 3 KM, through barricade. It was around 13.30 Hrs when I, reached East Rajagopuram. Again the Q passes through a temporary shed and from there allowed through the south prakaram. In the shed everybody has to breathe the carbon-di-oxide, which was breathed out by others. At one point I was thought of Quitting the Q. But after waiting for more than 8 to 9 hours, decided to continue in the Q, till the end. It was around 16.45 Hrs when I reached near the Athi Varadhara’s mandapam. Had the dharshan of Athi Varadhar for a fraction of second after 11 hours of standing in the Q with out food and water. All the Devotees are whisked away by the police personnel. I was almost exhausted completely. In the mandapa, it was appeared to me, that Athi Varadhar is taking rest with VIPs and Politicians dressed in White and White standing around him, for more than 30 minutes and blocking the view to the General public. Latter it was learnt that about 4 peoples were died in the “Q”, the exact reason and the number was not disclosed.

ATHI VARADHAR’s HISTORY.

( The details are taken from the book “Sri Athigiri Varadhar’s History” written by Pulavar Perumal and published in 1978 AD)

Sri Varadharaja Perumal came from Brahma’s yaga agni on Chithitai Astha Nakshathra day, also called as Varadhan, Varadharajan, Kari Varadhan, Manikkavaradhan, Arulalan, Perarulalan, etc. Alwars Mangalasasanam and Appaya Dheekshithar’s kirthanas praises Lord Varadharaja.

As per the legend, the difference of opinion of who is great between Sri Lakshmi and Sri Saraswathi ends with the decision in favour of Sri Lakshmi. So Sri Saraswathi cursed Indira, who gave the decision to become an elephant ( Athi ). Sri Lakshmi advised Indira to worship Sri Narasimha to get relieved from the curse. Indira in the form of Elephant ( Athi ) came to Kanchipuram/ Athigiri and worships Sri Narasimhar. Sri Narasimha Came out of Athigiri and Indira also relieved from the curse.

Latter during 11^th Century, Kanchipuram temples were destroyed and properties and jewelries were looted by Muslim invaders. After 50 years, the Chozha King has become friendly with Buddhas and Hindu temples were neglected or destroyed. Ramanujar left to North with a Srirangam Urchavar. The Kanchipuram Sri Varadharajar Temple fell in the hands of Buddhists and a Buddha idol was installed in place of Sri Varadhar. Buddhists threw a snake on Desikar, who is not in favour of Buddhists. The snake was snatched away by Garuda. Then they sent a Devadasi called Amirtha Valli to Desikar, to spoil his name. But Devadasi called him to her house and worships Desikar. She also request Desikar to save Varadhar’s Sannadhi at Kanchipuram and install back in their old positions both Urchava Varadhar, which was taken to Padaliputhra and the Moolavar Athi Varadhar from the temple tank. ( This indicates that Athi Varadhar went in to Temple tank during Buddhists are in power after installing a Buddha’s Idol ). She opens the Sudharsana Alwar’s sannadhi and shown to Desikar. Desikar had seen Devaraja Bhattar does poojas to Chakarathalwar and Piranathaarththi Haravaradhar. Since Sudharsana Alwar’s sannadhi was under the control of Devadasi, Buddhists didn’t enter.

In 1509AD Krishna Devaraya took control of Kanchi. Desikar went back to Kanchipuram and defeated Buddhists and assumed the title of “Panchamatha Panchanam”. The Buddha idol was removed and a stone wall was raised. Sri Narasimhar was installed back. Krishna Devaraya also arranged to get back the Urchavar from Padaliputhra.

When a difference opinion aroused between Desikar and Devaraja Bhattar to take out the Athi Varadhar from the temple tank and install in the old position. Athi Varadhar came in Desikar’s dream and told that he wants to be in the Temple Tank permanently and alternatively asked to install the Pazhaya Seevaram Perumal in his place. When Desikar asked for Athi Varadjhar’s dharshan, Athi Varadhar replied that he will come out of the Temple tank once in 40 years and bless his devotees for 48 days. The real story Sri Athi Varadhar only knows.