Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple Nerkundram

Kari Varadaraja Perumal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Nerkundram near Koyambedu in Chennai City in Tamil Nadu. The Temple is believed to be 1000 years old.Sri Karivaradaraja Perumal Temple stands as a testament to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of South India.

The primary deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Karivaradaraja Perumal. The idol is a beautiful and ornate figure, carved from a single block of granite.
He is housed in the sanctum, accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side, with Neela Devi and Mahalakshmi residing in his heart. His right hand displays the Varada Hasta, while his left hand holds a Gadhayudha. His two rear hands hold the Shankha and Chakra, and a Simhamukha can be seen below his navel.

Legend

The legend here is related to the Gajendra Moksham episode from the Vishnu Purana. According to Hindu legend, King Indrajuman, who was deeply engrossed in the worship of Lord Vishnu, neglected his kingdom and army, ultimately losing his kingdom. While engaged in worship, he also failed to acknowledge the presence of the sage Durvasa (some sources claim it was Agastya) who was passing by. The sage became irritated and cursed the king to be reborn as an elephant in his next life.

The king apologized for his negligence, and moved by the king’s innocence, the sage granted him a blessing. He wished that the king would remain a devotee of Vishnu in his elephant form and that Vishnu would bestow goodwill upon him. In the temple tank at this place, there was a demon named Koohoo, who troubled all those who bathed there. He had been cursed by a sage to be reborn as a crocodile in his next life.

As an elephant, Gajendra remained a devoted follower of Vishnu. One day, while drinking water from the temple tank, his leg was seized by the crocodile. The elephant cried out for help, calling the name “Adimulam,” and Lord Vishnu sent his discus to slay the crocodile. Both the elephant and the crocodile were restored to their human forms by Vishnu’s grace. Since Vishnu appeared to save Gajendra, he became known as Gajendara Varada. Because he granted salvation to an elephant (Kari), He came to be known as Kari Varadaraja Perumal.