Uttiramerur - Sri Sundara Varadar temple

About the temple

Lord Sundara Varadhar is the presiding diety of this very ancient temple. The temple is also called Chaturvedi Mangalam meaning that vedic chants could be heard all the time. The temple is a huge three tier structure similar to Thirukostiyur and Thirukoodal divyadesams. However it is interesting to note that in those divyadesams there is just one Lord while here there are four idols in first tier, four in second tier and one in third tier.

The temple is also called Pancha Varadha Kshetram as Lord Vishnu is believed to have given darshan to Pandavas here during their exile.

The temple is further known as nava murthy sthalam as this is the only Vaishnava temple with so nine idols of the Lord.

How to reach

The temple is about 85 kms from Chennai. After crossing Mamandur/ New Palar bridge/ Andal Azhagar college on the GST -about 65 kms, take a right to Uttiramerur. There is also a board showing directions to Uttiramerur and Tenangur.

One can combine a trip to Tenangur and Uttiramerur temples to cover both in half a day's trip.

Sannadhis

First tier -

Sundara Varadhar

Achuta varadhar

Aniruddha varadhar

Kalyana Varadhar

Second tier -

Vaikunta Varadhar

Nara Narayana

Yoga Narasimha

Lakshmi Varahar

Third tier -

Lord Ranganathar

Seperate sannadhis -

Anandavalli thayar

Andal

Specialty of the temple

The temple has a beautiful three tier structure and the famous Ashtalakshmi temple in Besant Nagar, Chennai is said to be constructed based on this temple structure with four idols of lord in the first and second tiers and one in the second tier.

The Lord appears in a different posture in each of the three tiers - Lord Sundar varadar standing posture in the first tier, Lord Vaikunta varadhar in sitting posture in the second tier and Lord Ranganathar in sleeping posture in the third tier.

The presence of Lord Shiva idol and Brahma in Lord Ranganathar's sannadhi is a unique feature in the temple.

Temple timings and contact details

The temple is open in the mornings from 7 am to 12 noon and in the evenings from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Temples in proximity

Tennangur Sri Panduranga temple

Pandurangan Temple, Tennangur

About the temple

Tennangur was earlier known as Dakshin Halasyam. The temple has been beautifully constructed with a mix of different cultures in India. The idols of Panduranga-Ragumayi are mesmerising and one can sit admiring the Lord's beauty for hours together. The fiber glass paintings inside the sanctum are very beautiful and attractive.

Lord Lakshmi Narayana temple and Meenakshi- Sundareswar temple are also located a few meters away. Tennangur is the birth place of Goddess Meenakshi. A specialty of the Meenakshi - Sundareswarar temple is that the Navagrahas are present here with their consorts.  

Meenakshi temple

Lakshmi Narayana temple

How to reach

The temple is around 100 kms from Chennai and about 22 kms from Uttiramerur on the Kanchipuram Vandavasi route.

The temple can be seen on the right side just 6 kms before Vandavasi while coming from Kanchipuram/ Uttiramerur side and is about 500 metres from the main road.

The Lakshmi Narayana temple and Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple are close to the Main Pandurangan temple.

Specialty of the temple

Lord Panduranga gives darshan in different alankaras each day.

True to his name Rishikesha, the Lord takes control of all the senses of devotees who have a glimpse of him.

The temple is constructed with a mix of North Indian and South Indian style of construction - the gopurams being in South Indian style, the main sanctum in Orissa's Puri Jagannatha temple style and Lord Panduranga and Raghumayi are replicas of the idol as in Pandaripur- Maharashtra.

Temple timings and contact details

The temple is open from 6 am to 12 noon in the morning and from 4 pm to 8.30 pm. The contact details are GA trust - 044- 24993062, 24952498

Temples in proximity

Uttiramerur Sundara Varadhar temple

Thiru Ooragam, Thiru Neeragam, Thiru Kaaragam, Thiru Kaarvannam - Kanchipuram

About the temple

There are four divyadesams in a single temple complex. Lord Vishnu took the Vamana avatharam to stop King Mahabali's attempt to acquire Indra's swarga lokam and restore Indra's powers. When King Mahabali promised to give 3 feet of land to Lord Vishnu who was disguised as a dwarf Brahmin, Lord Vishnu measured the earth and sky with one feet, the heaven with the second feet and asked the King where to keep the third feet. Since the King was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu he asked the Lord to keep the third feet on his head and the Lord did accordingly and sent the King to the nether world, thereby fulfilling his purpose of taking the Vamana avathara. The Lord took the form of Ulagalandha perumal to fulfill the King's wish to see the Lord in full form. The Lord also appeared in a smaller form as Adiseshan. The Lord here is also known as Ooragathaan. The Lord is more than 30ft high with the left leg at right angle parallel to the ground and right leg on Mahabali's head. The two steps taken by the lord are indicated by the two fingers stretched out in the left hand and one finger on the right hand as questioning the King where to keep the third feet.

 Thayar sannadhi

The other three divyadesams in the same temple complex are

Thiru Neeragam - Lord Jagadeeswara,

Thiru Kaaragam - Karunakara perumal

Thiru Kaaravannam -Kalvar .

How to reach

The temple is at a walking distance from Kamakshi amman temple, Vaikunda perumal temple and the Kanchipuram main bus stand. click to enlarge the map

For maps on how to reach the other divyadesams in Kanchipuram, click here

Sannadhis

Thiru Ooragam : Trivikrama/ Ulagalandha perumal/Ooragathaan and Amuthavalli thayar

Thiru Neeragam : Jagadeeswara perumal - utsavar  and Nilamangai thayar

Thiru Kaaragam : Karunaka perumal and Padmamani/Ramamani thayar

Thiru Kaarvanan : Kalvar and Kamalavalli thayar

Vishwaksenar

Garudan

Andal

Manavala mamunigal

Alwars and Acharyas

Pushkarni and Vimanam

Thiru Neeragam : Akrura theertham and Jagadeeswarar vimanam

Thiru Kaaragam : Akraya theertham and Vamana vimanam

Thiru Kaarvanan : Gowrithadakam theertham and Pushkala vimanam

Thiru Ooragam : Naga theertham and Sarasreekara vimanam

Specialty of the temple

There are four divyadesams in a single temple complex.

Thirumangai azhwar praised three divyadesams - Thiru Neeragam, Thiru Kaaragam and Thiru Kaaravannam in a single paasuram along with Thiru Ooragam.

The Lord is said to fulfill the wishes of unmarried girls and childless couples.

Temple timings

The temple is open from 7 am to 12 pm in the mornings and from 4 pm to 8 pm in the evenings.

Temples in proximity

Kanchipuram Divyadesams, Nearest is Kamakshi amman temple