Nazrath Pettai Haritha Vaarana Perumal Temple

Nazarath Pettai, a quaint village nestled close to Poonamallee, itself situated near Chennai – the gateway to South India – harbors a plethora of ancient temples, echoing the rich spiritual heritage of the region. Among these hallowed sites is the venerable Harita Vaarana Perumal Temple, also known as the Pachchai Varna Perumal Temple.

According to a cherished legend, Lord Krishna once assumed the form of a verdant elephant, originating from a yagna conducted by Yudhistra, with the intention of safeguarding him from malevolent Rakshasas. An alternative rendition of this tale recounts Yudhistra's fabrication of the demise of the elephant Ashwattama during the Mahabharata battle, leading to his Guru, Drona's, emotional turmoil and subsequent downfall at the hands of Dhrishtadyumna. In penance for this act, Yudhistra, guided by sage Narada, performed a yagna at this sacred site. It was during this rite that Lord Krishna manifested in the form of a green elephant.

The temple's central deity is Lord Vishnu, accompanied by the divine consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. Enshrined in the temple's sanctum, the images of these deities are imposing and portrayed in a seated posture. Owing to Lord Krishna's manifestation as a green elephant, the names "Pachchai Varna Perumal" in Tamil and "Harita Vaarana Perumal" in Sanskrit, both signifying "green-colored," were attributed. Opposite to the main sanctum, a modest shrine is dedicated to Garuda, while a towering flagstaff stands in close proximity. This time-honored temple, though not of significant dimensions, boasts a majestic tower at its entrance.

The temple's corridor houses the shrines of Goddess Amrutavalli and a separate sanctum dedicated to Andal. Within the temple precincts, another shrine honors Lord Rama, flanked by Lakshmana and Sita, while a distinct enclosure reveres Hanuman.

Remarkably, this temple holds a distinctive status as the "avatar sthalam" – the birthplace – of Mudaliyandan. Born in 1027 CE to the sister of the renowned Vaishnavite saint Ramanuja, Mudaliyandan emerged as a prominent disciple of Ramanuja and evolved into a revered Vaishnav guru. Given that Mudaliyandan's birth occurred at this very site, the temple is hallowed as his birthplace, embodying his spiritual legacy. A dedicated shrine for Mudaliyandan further embellishes the temple's premises.


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