After a 48-days-long Darshanam of Lord Athi Vardar, the Deity on Saturday, bid adieu to its devotees for another 40 years. Devotees thronged at the Athi Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kancheepuram to witness the last darshanam. The lord was immersed into the Ananthasaras tank at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple at 10 pm by the priests and management.
The 12-feet idol of Athi Varadar (made out of fig tree) encased in silver was kept immersed in the temple tank for the past 40 years. It was taken out June 28 this year. Athi Varadar was last raised out of the water was on July 2, 1979. Here are some latest pictures and videos from Lord Athi Varadaraja Perumal temple, right before immersion of deity.
Devotees were allowed for the 48 days long 'darshanam' which commenced on July 1 and it will conclude today (August 17). The deity will be immersed in the water at 10 pm. Since July 1, lakhs of devotees converged to Kancheepuram daily to visit the Lord.
Citing a large number of devotees a petition was filed in the Madras High Court to extend the 'darshan' days for more 48 days. However, the court dismissed the petition
The temple authority and the management of the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Devarajaswami temple is making arrangements to immerse the deity back into the tank tonight.
Out of these 48-days of darshanam, devotees were allowed to take darshan of the Lord in Kidainda Kolam (sleeping posture) for the first 38 days and Nindra Kolam (standing posture) for the last 10 days.
This year, the festival saw a turnout of over 1 crore people visiting the Varadaraja Perumal. Due to increasing footfall the management had to shift the deity to the nearby Devarajaswamy temple to accommodate the crowds.
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