The temple town of Kancheepuram is gearing up to receive lakhs of devotees hoping for a rare ‘darshan’ of the Aththi Varadar deity after a long gap of 40 years at the Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple. Vaishnavite scholar Akkaarkkani T.A. Srinidhi said no one knows why the idol was being brought out once in 40 years or why it is placed for public darshan for 48 days.
No archanas or abhishekam would be performed for the idol during his stay on the land. But floral offerings of devotees would be accepted by priests and neivedhyams would be offered to the idol.
The 12-foot idol of Aththi Varadar (made out of fig tree), lying in a silver casket under water in the temple tank for the past 40 years, was taken out on Friday early morning amidst chants of ‘Varadha Varadha’ by devotees. Darshan will be allowed for 48 days from July 1 to August 17 at the temple. The idol will be kept in a reclining position for the first 40 days of the darshan and in standing posture for the last eight days.
Once-in-40-years Athivaradar festival begans at in Kanchipuram in Tamilnadu
