Sri Varadarajaswami Temple, Kanchi: A Study of Its History, Art and ArchitectureKanchi, the ancient capital city of the South, teems with historic temples of great beauty and grandeur. The magnificent temple of Lord Varadaraja, situated in Vishnu-Kanchi, has played a remarkable part in fostering the growth of Sri-Vaishnavism and has justly been ranked with the famous temples of Srirangam and Tirupati as the holiest of the holies. This is the first comprehensive and illustrated treatise on this hoary temple, focusing attention of the various aspects like the origin and the growth of the temple, critical review of the temple traditions, the role of the temple in the growth of Sri-Vaishnavism, the association of the acharyas like Ramanuja with the temple, besides the pivotal role the temple has played in the social and cultural life of the community. The vast literature that has grown round the temple and the five hundred and odd inscriptions that crowd the wall-spaces of the shrines provide a sumptuous source material for this study. One of the largest temple complexes of South India, the temple presents interesting variety of architectural and sculptural styles of different schools. The temple is particularly rich in Vaishnava iconography. The book provides a detailed study and interpretation of these features with the help of hitherto unpublished photographs and drawings. The book also brings to light the presence of fine paintings of the Vijayanagar times that are found in the dark cloister around the sanctum. The book is a distinct contribution to the field of historical and architectural studies of ancient Indian temples. |
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This book is not a trustworty book and lot of facts are stated wrongly.
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13th century 16th century A.D. abhisheka-mandapa Alagia Alvars and Acharyas architectural Attiyur Brahmins built called centre chieftain Chingleput Choja Chola corbels courtyard datable deity depicted devotees disciple donated epigraph epigraph dated A.D. Ettur famous festival Ganga Garuda gateway gift Golkonda gopura Hastigiri honour Hoysala Ibid important inscription dated A.D. Jiyar Jlyar K.A.N. Sastri Kakatiya Kalyana-mandapa Kanchi Kanchipuram Kandadai Ramanuja known Krishna Krishnadeva Raya Kulottunga later Lord Varadaraja Madras Manavala Mahamuni mandapa mentioned metres Mysore Nammalvar Narasimha Nayak offerings Pallava Pandya period pilasters pillars prabhandams prakara probably Rajaraja Rama Ramanuja recited refers reign sanctum Sanskrit sculptures SITI South India Sri Varadarajaswami temple Srl Varadarajaswami Srl-Vaishnava Srlrangam stalattar structures Tamil country Tayar shrine Telugu-Choda Tenkalai Tenkalai school tion Tirukkachi-nambi Tirumalai Tirupati Tondaimandalam upto Vadakalai Vaishnava Varadaraja temple Vedanta Desika Venkata Venkata II verses Vijayanagar king village vimana Vishnu Vishnu temples wall worship