काञ्चीपुरम्

This is one of the celebrated Vaishnava Divya Desams. The first prakaram of the temple is on the Hastigiri hill. In Vishnu Kanchi there are other shrines Ashtabhuyakaram, Tiruttanka, Tiruvelukkai, and Tiruvegkaa. In Shiva Kanchi there are Tiru Oorakam, Tiru Neeragam, Tiruppaatakam, Nilaattingal Tundam, Tirukkaragam, Tirukkaarvaanam, Tirukkalvanur, Tiruppavalavannam and Parameswara Vinnagarm shrines.

The moolavar is Varadaraja Perumal also known as Devarajan in a standing posture. Perundevi Thayar is housed in a separate temple within the complex. The Theertham is Vegavathi Theertham and the Vimanam Punyakoti Vimanam.

The legend has it that Brahma worshipped Lord Vishnu in this shetram in Krita yuga, Gajendra in Treta yuga, Bruhaspathi in Dwapara yuga and Adisesha in Kali yuga. It is also believed that Airavatam, Indra's elephant, in the form of a hill bears the image of Lord Vishnu. The original image of Varadaraja perumal (Attigiri Varadan) made from Attimaram (fig), is kept inside the pushkarini in the temple and brought out once in 40 years for worship for 10 days.The annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated in the Tamil month of Vaikasi, and the Garuda Sevai and Rathotsavam draws thousands of pilgrims. Adhyayana Utasam is celebrated during Margazhi.

This temple has rich collection of architecture in several mandapams and particular mention is to be made of the stone chains in the hundred-pillar mandapam. This temple occupies an area of 20 acres with several mandapams and was patronized by the Chola and Vijayanagara kings.