Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple is a 1600 years old Vaishnava temple situated inside the Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Amman Temple in Big Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. This Varaha Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu located in Kanchipuram. It is one of the two temples in Kanchipuram, where a Divyadesam is inside a Shaivite temple. According to beliefs, the Kanchi Kamakshi Temple has existed since time immemorial. In the documented past, Adi Shankaracharya installed the Sri Chakra in this temple, the dates could range between 5th BCE to 8th CE.
This temple is located on the right side of the Garbagraham of Goddess Kamakshi (Moolavar sannadhi) in Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Temple. Here the Moolaver is Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal (Sri Visnu). Sri Maha Vishnu is found in a standing position facing the West direction. The Goddess is Anjilai Valli Naachiyar (Parvati). The Divyadesam in the temple is called Thirukkalvanoor and Thiru Kellvanur. This is the only Divyadesam among all the 108 where the deity is seen in a tiny form of Aadhi Varaha.
Other deities in the temple are Sri Anjaneya and Garuda, the mount of Sri Vishnu. The Vimanam of the temple is called Vamana Vimanam. The Pushkarani / temple tank is called Nithiya Pushkarani.
Festivals celebrates are the Annual Chariot and Float festival in March – April, Sankara Jayanti in May-June, Vasanta Utsavam in May-June, Aadi Pooram festival in July-August, Navaratri in October, and Aippasi Pooram in October-November. The Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is the most important festival celebrated in the temple in December-January.
Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple Timings:
Morning: 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM Noon
Evening: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Sri Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple History:
Goddess Kamakshi and Goddess Lakshmi were once bathing in the Kama Koshta. Sri Vishnu hid behind a pillar and watched them by listening to their conversation. Goddess Parvati in the form of Kamakshi caught him eavesdropping on their conversation and punished him. She made him stand up first, then sit and later on the Kindantha stage. Because of this, he is found in all the 3 sevas (i.e) Nindra, Irundha and Kidantha seva on the North side of the pond of this temple. Sri Vishnu overheard the conversation without knowing them. So Parvati Devi named him Kalvan(thief).
Sri Aadhivaraha Perumal Temple Legend:
According to the Sthala Purana, Sri Vishnu and Goddess Mahalakshmi discussed the sins and good deeds committed by human beings. Later, the theme turned to beauty and personality. Sri Lakshmi is very fair complexioned and claimed that people by having her Darshan (holy vision) become very prosperous. Sri Vishnu is dark complexioned and disagreed with her view. He smiled and said beauty is in the mind. People only had illusions of appearance or outward appearance. Sri Lakshmi disagreed with his opinion.
Sri Vishnu got angry and cursed Lakshmi Devi to become formless so that no one could see her beauty. The Supreme Goddess asked for her forgiveness and asked him to release her from the curse. Sri Vishnu asked her to do penance in a place where it would bring multiple benefits for a single prayer. Goddess Mahalakshmi reached Kanchipuram and performed penance, praying to Sri Vishnu, who granted her Darshan and returned her beauty.
The legend also says that when Goddess Parvati did penance under a mango tree in Kanchipuram to meet Shiva, she took help from Sri Vishnu. Therefore, there is a shrine for Sri Vishnu at the Sri Kamakshi temple.
How to Reach Aadhi Varaha Perumal Temple:
By Air:
The nearest airport is the Chennai International Airport which is just 64.1 km from the temple.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is the Kanchipuram Railway Station 1.1 km. Trains to Kanchipuram are available from Chennai Central, Chengalpattu, Bengaluru, and Tirupati railway stations.
By Road:
Kanchipuram is well connected by roads. There are frequent buses from Chennai, Selam, Tirupati and Bengaluru. The temple is at a walkable distance from the Kanchipuram bus stand. Autos and private vehicles are also available.
Tirukkalvanoor Perumal Temple Address:
Sri Adhi Varaha Perumal Temple,
Periya,
Kanchipuram,
Tamil Nadu – 631502.