Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Uthiramerur

Sundara Varadaraja Perumal, Uthiramerur

Vaishnavite Temples, Uthiramerur Taluk

God

Sundara Varadaraja Perumal with Sreedevi and Bhoodevi, facing east

Goddess

Anandavalli Thaayar, facing east

Other Deities

Vaikunta Varada Perumal, Renganatha Perumal, Aandal, Garuda, Anjaneya, Vedanta Desikar, Senaimudhalvar, Nammazhwar, Periazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar

Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Uthiramerur is a large east facing temple with a 7 tiered Rajagopuram set in about 2 acres of land. Outside, opposite and to southeast of this is the Temple tank. A large outer Prakaram with high walls come once you enter through the Rajagopuram. There is a Mantapa in the northeast corner of this Prakaram. The inner Prakaram is entered through a beautiful 3 tiered Gopuram with five Kalasas on top. This gopuram is situated at an elevation which is reached through a small flight of steps. The inner Prakaram houses the Sanctum Sanctorum of Sundara Varadaraja Perumal with consorts in standing posture in the ground floor. The next level is reached by climbing a narrow flight of steps where Vaikunta Varadar in sitting posture is present with his consorts. Above this on the second floor is Ranganatha Perumal. The sanctum has three niches around it in the first two floors. Around Sundara Varadarajar are Achudha Varadar, Anirudha Varadar and Kalyana Varadar. Around Vaikunta Varadar are Krishna with Arjuna, Yoga Narasimhar and Lakshmi Varahar. The third level has Ananda Padmanabhaswamy in reclining posture on the multi headed snake Adhisesha with Bhoodevi and Sage Markandeya. All the idols are very large and about 6-7 feet tall. The inner Prakaram has an elevated and covered circumambulation corridor in which are present the Goddess and Aandal. The sanctum sanctorum has depictions of different forms of Mahavishnu.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Tank: Vairamegha Thadakam

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

Vimaanam – Padma Kosthta Ashtanga Vimana

History

Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Uthiramerur has 25 inscriptions in which is mentioned that it was built by the Pallava King, Nandivarman II(720-796 CE) and its architect was one Takshaka of Pataka in association with Agamic consultants from the village. Uthiramerur was established around 750 CE by Nandivarman II and ruled by the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Sambuvarayas, Vijayanagara Rayas and Nayaks. It is said that he donated the village to Vedic Brahmins from Srivaishanva community. It came under the rule of the Cholas during 9th century CE. There are inscriptions from the period of Parantaka Chola I (907–950), Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014), Rajendra Chola I (1012–1044) and Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120) indicating various gifts to the temples. The process of democratically electing the local representatives through a system called Kudavolai during the Chola regime is documented in the inscriptions. The region came under the Pandyas during the 13th Century CE then under the Telugu Chola ruler Vijaya Gandagopala. He renamed the village as Gandagopala Chaturvedhi Managalam. Krishnadevaraya (1502–29) of Vijayanagar Empire made contributions to Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Uthiramerur. As per the inscriptions the temple and deity has been referred in many names including Vellai Vishnugraham, Vellai Murthi Emperan, Vellaimurthi Azhwar, Rajendra Chola Vinnagar Azhwar and Sokka Perumal.

Legend

Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Uthiramerur is closely associated with the epic of Mahabharata. Bhima, one of the 5 Pandava princes is believed to have worshiped Vishnu here. The three Varadas around the main sanctum in the ground floor are believed to have given relief from curses to Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva, three of the five Pandava Princes. Goddess Anandavalli here is believed to have appeared for Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas.

Directions

Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Uthiramerur is in the center of Uthiramerur town which is about 30 kilometers south-west of Chingleput.

Stay and Food

Uthiramerur has a few restaurants. Recommended stay would be Kancheepuram or hotels in the GST Road.

Vaishnavite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples