Keezha Tiruvenkatanathapuram

Chenkani, a quaint village situated just one kilometer away from Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram on the banks of the beautiful Tamraparani river, also known as Keezha Tiruvenkatanathapuram, is home to the ancient Varadaraja Perumal temple. 

Gaining access to this temple isn't straightforward; devotees often wait for hours for the priest to unlock its doors. On a lighter note, it is a practice that has endured for centuries. Legend has it that some 700 years ago, a king seeking the deity's darshan faced a similar predicament when the priest was absent. In a twist of fate, Vishnu himself assumed the role of the priest, guiding the king into the temple and conducting the rituals, thus safeguarding the priest. Hence, Vishnu earned the title Vazha Vaikkum Perumal, symbolizing the deity who ensures his devotees' safety and well-being.

Vishnu, called Varadaraja Perumal here, is in the standing posture. The four-armed deity is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi.Notably, Vishnu's right arm bears the auspicious dhana rekha, believed to possess the power to multiply wealth, earning him the epithet Dhanarekha Perumal. With roots tracing back to the Pandya era, approximately 800 years ago, this ancient temple also features separate shrines dedicated to Hanuman and Garuda, enriching the spiritual experience for visitors.

Similar to Nellaiyappar temple and Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram, this temple also has bamboo tree as the sthala vruksha.

Happy travelling.