WoW video.

 The verse is one of the most beloved universal prayers from the Upanishadic tradition:

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः।

सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।

सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु।

मा कश्चिद् दुःखभाग् भवेत्॥

Transliteration:

Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ,

Sarve santu nirāmayāḥ,

Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu,

Mā kaścid duḥkha-bhāg bhavet.

Meaning:

May all beings be happy.

May all be free from illness.

May all see and experience what is auspicious and good.

May no one suffer or partake in sorrow.

This prayer embodies the ideal of universal compassion. It seeks no blessing for oneself alone but extends goodwill to every living being, reflecting the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—"the whole world is one family."

It is often concluded with:

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ Śāntiḥ.

Meaning:

May there be peace within us, peace around us, and peace in all the forces of nature and the universe.

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Not single.

 Even the mighty sea, believing it possesses limitless water, often forgets a simple truth: every drop it holds is the gift of countless rivers.

So too with human beings. No matter how great, wealthy, or successful we become, our strength is the sum of the contributions of many—parents, teachers, friends, mentors, society, and even strangers. Humility begins when we remember the rivers that filled our ocean.

The Sea and the Rivers: A Lesson in Gratitude 

The sea stretches beyond the horizon, vast, majestic, and seemingly inexhaustible. It appears to possess an endless abundance of water, as though it owes its greatness to no one. Yet this appearance hides a profound truth. Every river, from the mightiest to the smallest stream, flows tirelessly towards the sea. Without these countless rivers renewing it day after day, the sea would not remain what it is.

The sea may seem limitless, but its abundance is sustained by the quiet, faithful contributions of others.

Human life is remarkably similar. Success often gives us the illusion that we are self-made. We begin to believe our achievements are solely the result of our intelligence, hard work, or talent. Gradually, we overlook the many rivers that have flowed into our lives.

Our parents gave us life and our earliest lessons. Teachers shaped our minds. Friends encouraged us during difficult times. Mentors opened doors we could not have opened ourselves. Farmers grew our food. Workers built the roads we travel, the homes we live in, and the books we read. Even strangers, whom we may never meet, contribute to our comfort and well-being.

No one becomes an ocean alone.

Nature constantly teaches this lesson. A tree stands tall because of unseen roots. A lamp shines because of the unseen oil or electricity that sustains it. A magnificent temple rests upon foundations hidden beneath the earth. Greatness is always supported by invisible contributions.

Gratitude is the ability to recognise these rivers. Humility is the willingness to acknowledge that our strength is not ours alone. The truly wise do not boast about the size of their ocean; they honour every river that flows into it.

In Indian thought, this understanding finds expression in the idea of ṛṇa—the debts we owe to parents, teachers, sages, society, nature, and the Divine. Life is not merely about receiving these gifts but also about becoming a river ourselves, nourishing others without expecting recognition.

The greatest people in history have understood this truth. The more they achieved, the more grateful they became. They recognised that every accomplishment rested upon countless acts of kindness, sacrifice, and guidance received from others.

Perhaps the measure of our greatness is not how vast our ocean becomes, but whether we remember the rivers that filled it.

For when we forget our rivers, pride begins. When we remember them, gratitude blossoms. And gratitude transforms abundance into wisdom.

The sea is great because many rivers flow into it. A human being becomes truly great when, despite becoming an ocean, they never forget the rivers that made them so.

Just as all rivers ultimately return to the sea, every act of goodness, every teacher, every blessing, and every relationship ultimately has its source in the Divine. Remembering the rivers is, in the deepest sense, remembering the One from whom they all flow.

Auspicious.

There are many traditional Hindu pūjā instruments that produce sound, each serving a specific ritual purpose.

In the Hindu tradition, the temple  eg bell (Ghanta) is rung before worship. Its sacred resonance is believed to invite the Divine, dispel negativity, and gather the wandering mind into single-pointed devotion. The lingering sound is often likened to the eternal vibration of Om, reminding the devotee that God is ever-present.

Bells

Ghantā (Temple Bell) – rung during pūjā and ārati.

Hand Bell (Ghanti) – held by the priest while offering worship.

Gongs

Ghadiyāl / Kāsar / Tamukku – flat brass gong struck with a wooden mallet.

Large Temple Gong – suspended gong used in temples.

Conch

Śaṅkha (Conch) – blown at the beginning and end of worship, and during ārati.

Cymbals

Mañjīrā – small finger cymbals.

Karatāla – hand cymbals used in bhajans.

Jhañjh / Tāl – large cymbals used in temples and kīrtans.

Drums

Ḍamaru – associated with Lord Śiva.

Mṛdaṅgam – accompanies devotional singing.

Pakhāwaj – used in traditional temple music.

Tabla – common in bhajans.

Dol / Dholak – devotional and festival drum.

Chenda – prominent in Kerala temple festivals.

Maddale – used in Karnataka temple traditions.

Wind Instruments

Nādasvaram – auspicious South Indian temple instrument.

Śehnāī – used in North Indian temples and ceremonies.

Kombu – curved temple horn.

Kahala / Ranasingha – ceremonial trumpet.

Tutari – traditional trumpet in Maharashtra.

String Instruments (Bhajan)

Tānpurā – drone instrument.

Vīṇā – sacred instrument of Goddess Sarasvatī.

Ektārā – used by wandering saints and devotees.

Rare Temple Instruments

Jalra – thick brass cymbals, especially in Tamil temples.

Chimta with bells – used in North Indian kīrtans.

Ghunghroo (Temple ankle bells) – used in devotional dance.

Temple wooden clappers – used in some monasteries and temples to signal worship.

The Five Most Sacred Sounds in Worship

Many traditions consider these especially significant:

🔔 Bell (Ghantā)

🐚 Conch (Śaṅkha)

🥁 Drum (Ḍamaru or Mṛdaṅgam)

🥁 Gong (Ghadiyāl/Kāsar)

🎶 Cymbals (Jalra, Mañjīrā or Karatāla)

Together, these sacred sounds are believed to awaken devotion, mark sacred time, accompany offerings, and create an atmosphere conducive to meditation and worship.

Idols of wood.

 Many Hindu deities are traditionally carved from wood, though stone and metal are more common for permanent temple idols. Wooden idols hold a special place in certain traditions and festivals.

some well-known examples:

Jagannath Temple

The deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are carved from neem wood (called Daru or Daru Brahma).

They are ritually replaced during the sacred Nabakalebara ceremony, usually every 12–19 years.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple

The famous Athi Varadar is carved from Athi wood (the cluster fig tree, Ficus racemosa).

The idol is brought out for worship once every 40 years.

Many village deities across South India

Local deities are often carved from neem, jackfruit, or other durable native woods, depending on regional tradition.

Woods commonly used for sacred idols

Neem (Azadirachta indica) – considered highly sacred and naturally resistant to insects. Used for Jagannath.

Athi (Cluster Fig, Ficus racemosa) – used for Athi Varadar.

Jackfruit wood (Artocarpus heterophyllus) – widely used in Kerala and Karnataka for temple icons because it is durable and easy to carve.

Sandalwood (Santalum album) – used for smaller worship idols due to its fragrance and sanctity.

Bilva (Bael) and Peepal wood are occasionally used for specific ritual purposes, though less commonly for permanent idols.

According to the traditional texts on temple architecture (Śilpa Śāstras and Āgamas), the choice of wood is based not only on strength and durability but also on the tree's purity, age, and ritual suitability.

Among all wooden idols in India, the most renowned are the Jagannath deities of Puri made of neem wood and Athi Varadar of Kanchipuram made of Athi wood.

Hastigiri lord

 Kanchi Hastagiri Varadaraja Perumal (also known as Attigiri, Hastigiri, Perarulalan, or Devaraja Perumal) is one of the most sacred of the 108 Divya Desams and is affectionately known among Sri Vaishnavas simply as "Perumal Koil." 

The name Hastagiri comes from two Sanskrit words:

 Perundevi Thayar

Hasta – elephant

Giri – hill

The sanctum of Lord Varadaraja stands atop a small hill believed to be in the shape of an elephant. According to tradition, Indra (or his divine elephant Airavata) worshipped the Lord here and was relieved of a curse, giving the hill its name. 

Some of the unique glories of Hastagiri are:

Lord Varadaraja ("the Bestower of Boons") manifested from the yajña performed by Brahmā.

The ancient wooden deity Athi Varadar, carved from the sacred athi (fig) tree, is brought out for public darśan only once every 40 years.

The temple is closely associated with Ramanuja, who rendered devoted service here.

The temple is renowned for its magnificent 100-pillared hall, the golden and silver lizard shrine, and the beautiful Punyakoti Vimanam above the sanctum. 

For a Sri Vaishnava, three shrines are especially revered:

Koil – Ranganathaswamy Temple

Tirumalai – Venkateswara Temple

Perumal Koil – Varadaraja Perumal Temple (Hastagiri)

A traditional prayer to the Lord is:

वरदराजं भजे नित्यं हस्तिशैलनिवासिनम् ।

करुणामृतसिन्धुं तं भक्ताभीष्टप्रदायकम् ॥

"I ever worship Lord Varadaraja, who resides on Hastigiri, the ocean of compassion, who grants the cherished wishes of His devotees."

Since you have been writing on the Pancha Varadaraja temples, Hastagiri Varadaraja naturally stands as the foremost among them, combining profound theological significance with the living tradition of the Sri Vaishnava sampradāya.

What Stories and Legends Shape the History of Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple?

Every ancient temple has a story. But Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram feels like it carries many stories at once—some whispered through stone pillars, some sung by saints, and some still believed deeply by devotees today. This temple is not just old. It is alive with legends.

Located in the sacred city of Kanchipuram, Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is one of the Divya Desam temple, praised by the Alwars in their Tamil hymns. For Vaishnavites, this place is not optional. It is essential.

The Legend of Brahma’s Yagna

One of the most famous stories begins with Lord Brahma himself. It is said that Brahma performed a grand yagna here to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu. From the sacred fire emerged Lord Vishnu in the form of Varadaraja Perumal, the giver of boons.

“Vara” means boon. “Raja” means king. The name itself tells the story—this is the king who grants wishes.p

Even today, devotees believe that prayers offered here reach the Lord faster. Maybe that belief comes from this legend. Or maybe it comes from centuries of faith.

The Mysterious Athi Varadar

Another story that fascinates pilgrims is about Athi Varadar, the wooden idol made from the sacred Athi (fig) tree. Legends say this idol was originally worshipped, but later submerged in the temple tank to protect it during invasions.

Once every 40 years, Athi Varadar is brought out for darshan. Millions gather. No grand advertising, no force—just belief pulling people in. That silence, that crowd, that moment… it stays with you.

Alwars, Hymns, and Divya Desam Glory

Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple is celebrated by great Alwars like Thirumangai Alwar and Peyalwar. Their hymns describe the Lord not just as divine, but compassionate, accessible, almost human.

Because of these sacred verses, the temple earned its place as one of the Divya Desam temple, making it a major stop for Divya Desam pilgrims across India

Ever so many visits to this beautiful temple like a Sunday morning retreat spot  I would be woken up around 3.30 or 4 on a Sunday morning and asked shall we go to kanchi today. Those were the best words I heard for a wake up call. All of us enjoyed those visits. Even children they used to sing on the way up. Beautiful mornings. 

Sudara V.

 The Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Temple is an ancient and sacred Vishnu temple located in Uthiramerur, about 30 km from Kanchipuram. Although Uthiramerur is world-famous for its Chola-period inscriptions on village self-governance, it is also an important Vaishnava kshetra.

The Presiding Deity

Moolavar: Sundara Varadaraja Perumal, standing majestically and facing east.

Thayar: Anandavalli Thayar (also known as Perundevi Thayar in some traditions).

The name "Sundara Varadar" means "the Beautiful Bestower of Boons." While Kanchipuram is renowned for Varadaraja Perumal, Uthiramerur is blessed with Sundara Varadaraja, another graceful manifestation of Lord Vishnu.

Historical Significance

The temple has contributions from the Pallavas, Cholas, and Vijayanagara rulers.

Uthiramerur's inscriptions, dating from the reign of Parantaka Chola I, describe an advanced democratic system known as the Kudavolai method of electing village representatives.

Spiritual Importance

The temple is revered in the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Devotees worship Sundara Varadaraja for:

Wisdom and righteous leadership.

Prosperity and family welfare.

Divine grace to live according to dharma.

For devotees of Varadaraja Perumal, it is especially meaningful to visit both:

Varadaraja Perumal Temple – where the Lord is worshipped as Varadaraja and, once every forty years, as Athi Varadar.

Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Temple – where He is worshipped as the beautiful and compassionate Sundara Varadar.

Together, these temples beautifully reflect the Lord as the gracious giver of boons (Varadaraja) and as the enchanting, compassionate Lord (Sundara Varadaraja).

The Kudavolai method was an ancient Chola-era electoral system used to elect village assembly representatives through a public "pot ballot" draw. Famous details of this system come from the 10th-century Uttaramerur Inscriptions in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu.

Election Process

Wards: Villages were split into 30 distinct wards.

Palm Leaf Tickets: Eligible candidates wrote their names on small palm leaves (olai).

The Ballot Pot: These leaves were placed inside a mud pot (kudam).

The Draw: An impartial young boy pulled one leaf out from the pot in front of the public to pick the ward's representative. 

Candidate Rules

Age & Property: Candidates had to be aged 35 to 70 and own tax-paying land.

Qualifications: They needed knowledge of administrative rules or Vedic texts.

Disqualifications: Criminals, drunkards, debt defaulters, and those who failed to submit past expense accounts were barred. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Fig tree God.

 Athi Varadaraja is one of the most revered forms of Varadaraja Perumal Temple. The word "Athi" refers to the sacred fig (Athi) wood from which the original deity was carved.

According to the temple tradition:

Lord Brahma performed the Aśvamedha Yajña at Kanchipuram to worship Lord Vishnu.

The original deity of Varadaraja was carved from Athi wood and worshipped.

To preserve the wooden idol from deterioration, it was placed in the sacred temple tank, Anantha Saras, in a silver casket beneath the water.

A beautiful stone deity became the principal deity for daily worship in the temple.

The Athi Varadar idol is brought out for public worship once every 40 years, making it one of the rarest and most eagerly awaited spiritual events in India.

During the 48-day festival:

For the first 24 days, the Lord is seen in the Sayana Kolam (reclining posture).

For the next 24 days, He is worshipped in the Nindra Kolam (standing posture).

I was lucky enough tohavea darshan at close quarters. A divine atmosphere. 

The most recent darshan took place in 2019, when millions of devotees visited Kanchipuram. The next public darshan is expected around 2059, following the traditional 40-year cycle.

For Sri Vaishnavas, Athi Varadar represents the Lord's immeasurable compassion—though hidden from sight for decades, He emerges to bless devotees, reminding us that divine grace is constant even when unseen.

A traditional saying associated with this rare darshan is:

"ஒருமுறை அதிவரதரை தரிசித்தால், வாழ்நாள் புண்ணியம் பெருகும்."

"Even a single darshan of Athi Varadar is believed to bestow immense spiritual merit."

This unique tradition makes Athi Varadar one of the greatest treasures of Kanchipuram and of the Sri Vaishnava tradition.