Sri Varaha Swamy, Mahabalipuram

Located one km south of the Sthala Sayana Perumal Divya Desam on the way to the lighthouse is a lesser known but ancient Pallava period rock-cut cave temple dedicated to Varaha Perumal.

This temple pre-dates the Kadal Mallai Divya Desam in Mamallapuram and is one of the two Vishnu temples that have survived the ravages of the sea over the last 10 centuries.

The Story

A Pallava King made a daily trip to the Varaha Perumal temple at Thiru Vidanthai (15kms north of here on the East Coast Road). He would have his morning food only after this darshan. Also, it was his practice to feed a 1000people each day after coming back from Thiru Vidanthai.

Lord Vishnu decided to put his devotion to the test. One morning he appeared before the king as a hungry Brahmin carrying along with a child (Goddess in disguise).

The king requested if he could first make his daily trip to Thiru Vidanthai and then offer them food as that was his practice. The Lord in disguise rejected this suggestion stating that he was dying of hunger and that it may be too late for the child by the time the king returned.

Invoking the blessings of Varaha Perumal of Thiru Vidanthai, the king decided that feeding a hungry child was more important than his trip. Pleased with the king’s true devotion, the disguised Lord provided darshan to the king at the same place as Varaha Perumal with Agilavalli Thaayar on his right side ( at Thiru Vidanthai, Goddess is seen to the left of the Lord).

At this cave temple, the moolavar Varna Kala moorthy Aadhi Varaha Perumal is sculpted on the rock with his left leg placed on a Naga King and Queen and with his left hand on Thaayar’s lap.

Construction

Pallava King Simha Vishnu is believed to have built this cave temple. In memory of his contribution, one finds stone moorthys of Simha Vishnu along with his son Mahendra Varma Pallava.

There are also exquisite stone moorthys of Rudra, Brahmma, Goddess Lakshmi and Durga inside this cave temple.

Secret Tunnel

An interesting feature at the temple is the entrance to a secret 15km long tunnel (now shut) that was once an underground route to the Nithya Kalyana Perumal temple in Thiru Vidanthai. One also finds such a secret passage at Parameswara Vinnagaram (Vaikunta Perumal) Divya Desam in Kanchipuram which once led to Mamallapuram almost 70kms east.

Festival

On the full moon day in Maasi every year, the utsava moorthy, Gnanapiran, goes on a procession to the sea shore on a Garuda Vahana.

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Aadhi Varaha Perumal West Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar : Agilavalli Thaayar

Utsavar : Gnana Piran

Visiting time : 8am-12noon and 3pm-5pm