KANCHEEPURAM

VISHNU KANCHI

The centre of attraction in Vishnu Kanchi is the temple of Varadarajaswami situated on the top of Hastigiri or Elephant Hill. One has to ascend 24 steps up the hill to reach the sanctum sanctorum. Lord Varadaraja is in standing posture facing towards the west with his gracious look. The figure is huge in size with four hands holding the insignias of Sankha, Chakra, etc., and richly decorated with costly jewels. It is said in Brahmananda Purana that the entire creation came to a standstill once because of the pollution of the mind of Brahma, the Creator. To get rid of this mental pollution he entered into deep meditation on the banks of the holy Ganga to purify himself. He heard an invisible voice wherein he was directed to perform one thousand yagas to bring purity to his mind.

As the number was overwhelming for him to perform during a lifetime, he intelligently selected Satyavrata Kshetram. As the most sacred place where performance of one yaga gets the merit of a thousand. Brahma had previously got into an altercation and misunderstanding with his consort Saraswati.

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