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Ancient Varadharaja Perumal temple awaits renovation

The locals have been demanding the authorities to initiate measures to renovate the temple, which is in a dilapidated condition.

Chennai: The nondescript Vazhapandal village in neighbouring Vellore district, having the semblances of a typical village in Tamil Nadu with no modern facilities, boasts of an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

The Sri Gajendra Varadharaja Perumal temple, said to be about 1,300-years-old, glorifies the Lord who out of love for the elephant (Gajendra) rescues it from the clutches of a crocodile, is awaiting renovation.

With the plaster peeled off and at certain places the masonry work appearing to be fragile and posing a veritable threat to the devotees and temple staff, the shrine has not been renovated for years. The locals have been demanding the authorities to initiate measures to renovate the temple, which is in a dilapidated condition. “Even the Garbagriha is not safe. We are apprehensive that given the condition of the structure made of brick and mortar, and with weeds almost spreading across the Gopuram, portions of the temple may cave in. So, the government should take steps to completely renovate the temple at the earliest and conduct Samprokshanam,” sources at the village said.

A unique feature of the Lord at the temple is that He is a suyambu and has emerged out of sand and hence no abishekam is performed to the presiding deity. It is said the Lord grants to his devotees the same benefits that one could attain by visiting the Kasi. Interestingly, unlike in other places, Lord Varadaraja holds the chakra, turned away.

Despite the vagaries of nature taking a toll on the structure, the temple still possesses a treasure trove of exquisite paintings and gorgeous stone statues. It is said that a tunnel, which has been dug up in the ancient times inside the temple, connects with the Sri Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kancheepuram.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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