The Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Nerkundram is probably the only temple where the Lord views his devotees with open eyes. The story goes that King Indrajyudhman spent hours worshipping Lord Vishnu. He did not notice Sage Agastya who had come to visit him. The angry sage turned him into an elephant (kari). Indrajyudhman apologised and denied that he did ignore Agastya deliberately. But once a curse was given, it could not be taken back and only Vishnu could free him.
When the king prayed, he heard a voice (Asariri) saying, “I am in a place where Nel (paddy) is heaped like a Kundram (hill). Come and worship me every day and you will get moksha.” The elephant king reached the Varadaraja Perumal Temple where he worshipped Vishnu with a lotus plucked from the lake. One day, a gandharva who was also a Vishnu devotee noticed the elephant plucking a lotus for worship. He was very impressed. He stayed back and took the form of a crocodile and lived in the lake.
Sage Bharadwaja who came to the lake to perform his Sandhya Vandhanam was disturbed by the crocodile and cursed him saying that he would turn back into a gandharva only by falling at the feet of a Vaishnava. The crocodile immediately thought of the elephant and decided to grab his foot. The elephant tried to free his leg, but since the crocodile was too powerful he cried to the lord for help. When Vishnu heard the cry, he wanted to save both his devotees. He sent his Sudharshana Chakra to bring both to the shore.
Once on land, the elephant regained strength and was able to pull his leg out of the crocodile’s jaws. Then both animals gained their original forms and the Lord gave them the boon of Paramapadha. The elephant came to be known as Kari Varadaraja Perumal.
But reality and mythology lie on different shores. Today, only the main Moolavar shrine in the temple is intact. Small semi permanent structures house Anjaneya Swamy and Garudalwar. A large hall covered by a simple thatch is where the devotees gather and wait to go into the Artha Mandapa in batches. A statue of Nammalwar stands in a corner behind the book stall only to be noticed when Thaligai is submitted to him.
Why this pitiable state? Sugendra Bhattar, the temple’s hereditary trustee, says that over time temple land has been encroached upon. The temple, which once had enough means to conduct various festivals over the year, today is unable to support even the painting of the permanent shrine to Shri Anjaneya.
The Lord Kari Varadaraja Perumal is the Lord of 27 stars. He is also the Adhibadhi of the Number 9. A devotee places `9 at the divine feet for every wish or prayer. They return, mostly within nine days, to offer thanks if the wish is granted. The Lord has Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side and Neela Devi and Mahalakshmi in his heart, which is a unique feature. His right hand shows Varada Hastham and the left hand holds a Gadhayudham. The two hands behind have Sanku and Chakra. He also has a Simhamukham below his navel.
The Lord’s Avatara Nakshatram is Hastham and Thirumanjanam is performed on those days at the temple. Those who wish to perform Thirumanjanam or offer Vastram (nine yard sarees are used to adorn the Lord) can contact the temple at least 15 days in advance.
At prayer time, the priest puts off the electric light. He then shows the ghee lamp close to the face of the Lord. Like a miracle, the eyes that you see closed on the idol while the lights were on have suddenly opened. The human-like eyes roll left to right as the Bhattar moves the ghee lamp beneath the Lord’s face. Wishes are made the Lord’s eyes are open.
The utsavar (idol) here is Sathyanarayana Perumal. Sathyanarayana Pooja is performed here on every full moon day. Another special utsavar is Sri Santhanagopala Krishnan. For those seeking childbirth, the Bhattar gives the utsavar in their hands and the woman or her mother (using the woman’s vastram) receive the Krishnan with devotion in the pallav of the saree and swing him gently from side to side as the Bhattar sings pasurams. This Krishna with butter in his hand grants the boon of childbirth without fail. Prayers are conducted in Tamil instead of Sanskrit.
The temple seeks funds to complete the Anjaneyar Shrine, for running expenses and sanctification which has not happened over the last 24 years. Contributions can be sent by cheque or demand draft favouring Aalayam Kanden Trust, Flat A, Nutech Saradambal Apartments, No. 36, Kripasankari Street, West Mambalam, Chennai 600 033.