Venture to the holy city of Kanchipuram and discover the sacred surrounds of the Varadaraja Temple, one of the 108 temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu of the divine Hindu pantheon. Make it part of your travel itinerary when you base your stay at a fine Pondicherry hotel nearby such as the Hotel Atithi as its gracious hospitality and idyllic environment make it a fine example of Pondicherry accommodation. The Varadaraja Temple is situated within a neighbourhood known as Vishnu Kanchi, which is dotted with many temples dedicated to the god. The temple is simply massive, an impressive structure that unfolds on an expanse of 23 acres, and boasts 389 pillared halls for devotees to pray and meditate in, 32 illustrious shrines that reflect veneration of Lord Vishnu, and 19 vimanan or towers. The primary sanctuary faces west, and one enters through a magnificently ornate gopuram (or tower) that stretches to seven stories to a height of 130 feet. Amongst the more renowned pieces of architecture gracing this sacred locale is the stone chain sculpted out of a single stone. The temple is decorated with some truly stunning pieces of architecture that date back centuries, if not millennia, and a mere walk through this spiritual oasis will prove a fascinating excursion.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.
