Varadaraja Perumal Thirubhuvanai

Vaishnavite Temples, Villupuram District

God

Tothadrinadha Perumal, facing east

Goddess

Varamangai Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Aandal, Chakrathazhwar, Ramanujar, Anjaneya, Garuda

Better known as Varadaraja Perumal Thirubhuvanai this temple’s main deity is Tothadrinadha Perumal with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi and the processional deity is Varadaraja perumal. Varadaraja Perumal Thirubhuvanai belongs to the Chola era and is large and immaculately maintained by the Archaelogical Survey of India. The temple faces east, is well fenced and the entrance gate is at the eastern side. The sculptures and carvings here are beautiful and intricate with details that are still visible after centuries. Of particular mention are the miniature sculptures from the lives of Rama and Krishna which exhibit the greatness of the Artisans of the bygone era.

Holy Water (Theertham) – No information

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Varadaraja Perumal Thirubhuvanai dates back to the period of Prantaka Chola I (907 – 955 CE), the great grandfather of Rajaraja Chola. The temple was known as Naduvil Veeranarayana Perumal as Parantaka Chola also had a title as Veeranarayana. The place was called Thirubhuvana Mahadevi Chaturvedimangalam after the queen of Rajaraja Chola I and mother of Rajendra Chola I, Thirubhuvana Mahadevi. there are several well preserved stone inscriptions which provide a wealth of information from the era. One belonging to the period of Rajendra Chola I (1018 to 1054 CE) informs that the temple was also an educational institution which had about 260 students and 12 teachers covering subjects including Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Vedanta, Grammar, Mahabaratha, Ramayana, Manu Shastra and Vaikanasa Shastra. The students were given allowances and the teachers remuneration, all in paddy.

Legend

No information

Directions

Varadaraja Perumal Thirubhuvanai is about 18 kilometers on the Villupuram to Pondicherry road. refer our map below for exact location. There are 2 other ancient temples under Archaeological Survey of India control here.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea and snack shops. Stay could be Pondicherry or Villupuram depending on your itinerary.

Vaishnavite Temples

Varadaraja Perumal, Thirubhuvanai