Varadaraja Perumal Poonamallee

Varadharaja Perumal, facing east
Ranganathar, facing west
Srinivasa Perumal, facing east

The earliest inscription at Varadaraja Perumal Poonamallee is from the period of Parantaka Chozha I dating back to 10th Century CE in which this place is referred to as Poonthamalli of Puliyur Kottam. It is also believed that Parantaka Chozha could have built this temple. A 13th Century CE inscription refers to this place as ‘Kuzhukaanipakkathu Agaram, under Mangadu Nadu of Jayamkonda Chozhamandalam. Another 13th Century CE inscription mentions Cheran Ravivarman Kulasekharan defeating Sadayavarman Sundara Pandian II and the bifurcation of areas and naming the place as Chera Pandiya Chathurvedhi Mangalam. The temple has also been served by the Vijayanagar Dynasty and Nayaks. The  Oonjal Mandapam was built by Achyuthappa Nayakar.

Thirukachi Nambi was born here in c. 1009 CE. An ardent devotee of Varadaraja Perumal of Kancheepuram he used to walk all the way to Kanchipuram and present flowers in the Varadaraja Perumal temple. It is believed that Lord Varadaraja used to engage him in conversation. Once when Nambi could not walk to Kanchipuiram to offer flowers, Lord Varadaraja himself came here in the morning and provided darshan to Nambi with the Sun behind him. Upon Nambi’s request Lord Vishnu appeared here at Varadaraja Perumal Poonamallee in three poses on the request of Thirukachi Nambi  – Varadharaja Perumal as in Kaanchipuram, Ranganathar as in Sri Rangam, and Srinivasa Perumal as in Thirupathi.

Thirukachi Nambi was a contemporary of the famous Vaishnavite Saint Ramanujar.

Varadaraja Perumal Poonamallee is located inside Poonamallee Town. Take the right after government hospital before the bus stand to reach the temple.