A lizard temple
In Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, is a uniquely beautiful temple that has caught the eye of devotees and ordinary people alike. In the heart of Kanchipuram is the Varadaraja Perumal temple, which is famous not just for its architecture and location but also for the carvings and devotion that one can find inside.
It is the famous lizard temple of India where a golden and silver lizard are carved on the ceiling.
Who is it dedicated to?
The Varadaraja Perumal temple, also known as Hastagiri, is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the sacred abodes of Lord Vishnu. And thus, it is dedicated to Perumal, also known as Lord Vishnu, and in this Kanchipuram temple he is worshipped as Varadaraja Perumal, or ‘the King who grants boons’.
The connection with lizards
What sets this temple apart, and makes it beautifully unique is that although the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, there are also two lizard carvings inside that are said to give devotees boons. Inside the temple, on the ceiling near the garbha griha are two lizard sculptures, one golden and one silver. Devotees believe that touching these lizards brings good fortune and removes their past sins.
The devotees who come to this temple stretch their hands to feel the smooth, metallic surface on which the lizards are carved, along with two suns, and it is believed that this simple act cleanses them spiritually.
The legend behind the temple
(Image: India Cultural Hub/Instagram)
One of the most famous stories about the temple is of Lord Indra constructing it. It is believed that Lord Indra, the king of the heavens was cursed by Maa Saraswati, and the curse was that he would turn into an elephant. Worried, Indra roamed all across the globe looking for a way to change the curse. At the end, Lord Vishnu helped him in this very spot, in the Varadhraja Perumal temple, and he was relieved of Maa Saraswati’s curse.
All through this time, there were two lizards who watched the miracle of Lord Vishnu, and Indra decided to make their carvings on the ceilings.
The tale of a wealthy king
(Image: Canva AI)
Another legend about the lizards, but one that is not very well known is of Lord Krishna, and a King he saved.
According to the belief, a few children from Lord Krishna’s kingdom rushed to him to tell him about a big lizard that was in the common well. Lord Krishna went there, rescued the lizard from the well, and then held the lizard in his hand. Lord Krishna being the loved God identified that this was no ordinary lizard. With one touch, the lizard turned into a King who told Lord Krishna that he was cursed by a Rishi, and Lord Krishna saved him today.
With love and respect for Lord Krishna, the King constructed a temple for Lord Vishnu and had carvings done of lizards over the ceiling as it was the form in which Lord Krishna saved him.
The symbolism of lizards
Even though this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, seeing or spotting a lizard is usually linked to Maa Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that spotting a lizard on this festival of lights is a sign of prosperity and blessings from Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth.
Similarly, in this temple, touching the golden and silver lizards is seen as a way to invite wealth, happiness, and good fortune into one’s life.
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