Arulmigu Devarajaswamy (Varadharaja Perumal) Temple
Chinna (Little) Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram district · Lord Varadharaja (Devaraja, Perarulalan), a standing form of Vishnu, with Goddess Perundevi Thayar
Home of Athi Varadar, who rises from the temple tank once every 40 years, and of the golden and silver lizards.
The Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Vishnu Kanchi (Chinna Kanchipuram) is one of the 108 Divya Desams and, with Srirangam and Tirumala, one of the three holiest Sri Vaishnava temples. Vishnu stands on Hastigiri, an artificial hill reached by 24 steps, as Varadharaja, 'the king who grants boons'. The 23-acre complex is famous for the gilded lizard carvings on the sanctum ceiling, which devotees touch to remove doshas, for its Vijayanagara hundred-pillared hall, and for Athi Varadar: a 10-ft fig-wood image kept under the waters of the Anantha Saras tank and shown to the public for 48 days only once in 40 years (last in 2019, next due in 2059).
Timings
- Morning darshan: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM (official HR&CE page)
- Evening darshan: 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM; nadai closes 8:00 – 8:30 PM
- Kattana seva (paid seva hours): 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 3:30 – 5:00 PM
- Festival days: Timings change on festival and utsavam days
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
- Special / paid entry – Check at the temple
Sevas and costs
- One Day Nithiyapadi Pooja – ₹5,000 (On a date allotted by the temple office)
- Oru Kala Nithiyapadi Pooja – ₹1,000 (One of the daily services, as allotted)
- Golden and silver lizard darshan – approx. small fee (Check at counter) (During darshan hours)
- Kattana Seva (paid seva hours) – Check at the temple office (not priced on the HR&CE page) (11:00 AM – 12:00 noon and 3:30 – 5:00 PM)
- Garuda Sevai – Free (3rd day of the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, about 4:00 AM (2026: Saturday 30 May))
- Brahmotsavam vahana processions – Free (Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, 10 days (2026: 28 May – 6 Jun))
- Therottam (chariot festival) – Free (7th day of Vaikasi Brahmotsavam (2026: 3 June))
- Theerthavari – Free (9th day of Vaikasi Brahmotsavam, about 10:00 AM (2026: 5 June))
- Athi Varadar Vaibhavam – Free general darshan (2019 also had paid VIP passes) (Once in 40 years – next due 2059)
- Annadhanam donation – Varies (online donation) (Any day)
How to book darshan
No online booking is currently available (HR&CE e-services show 'Service Not Available'). Darshan is free; nithyapadi pooja sponsorships are arranged at the temple office.
Dress code
Traditional dress: dhoti or trousers with shirt for men; saree, half-saree or churidar with dupatta for women.
Best time to visit
October to March. The Vaikasi Brahmotsavam (May–June), especially the Garuda Sevai morning, is the highlight but extremely crowded.
How to reach
- air: Chennai International Airport is about 70 km away.
- rail: Kanchipuram station is about 3–4 km away.
- road: About 3–4 km east of Kanchipuram bus stand in Chinna Kanchipuram; autos and town buses run regularly.
Festivals
- Vaikasi Brahmotsavam and Garuda Sevai – Vaikasi (May–June). 2026: 28 May – 6 Jun; Garuda Sevai Sat 30 May, 4 AM; Ther 3 Jun; Theerthavari 5 Jun. 2027 dates not yet announced.
- Athi Varadar Vaibhavam – Once in 40 years (last 1 Jul – Aug 2019; next due 2059)
- Vaikunta Ekadasi – Margazhi (Dec–Jan)
- Udayarpalayam return festival – Annual (check with temple)
- Panguni Uthiram and Thayar festivals – March – April