Photo spot in Kanchipuram
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
A grand Vishnu temple (one of the 108 Divya Desams) with a 100-pillared hall of extraordinary carving, a great gopuram and a stone-chain marvel.
Best time
Early morning, when the light on the gopuram is soft and the street in front is quiet; late afternoon, after the temple reopens, is the next best time.
Best angle
Stand back on the street in front of the main gopuram and take a straight-on photo of the whole tower, as phones are not allowed inside for shots of the 100-pillared hall.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
6:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Early morning, when the light on the gopuram is soft and the street in front is quiet; late afternoon, after the temple reopens, is the next best time. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Stand back on the street in front of the main gopuram and take a straight-on photo of the whole tower, as phones are not allowed inside for shots of the 100-pillared hall. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
Before the gopuram
From the approach road to the east gate
Outfit guide
What to wear at Varadaraja Perumal Temple
For photos at Varadaraja Perumal Temple, saffron, cream and gold work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Kanchipuram.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Varadaraja Perumal Temple.
Eat nearby
Food near Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for kanchipuram idli nearby.
Special dishes to try
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Good to know
Local tips
Take your photos of the gopuram from outside, as camera phones must be left at the counter by the entrance.
Visit at opening time, around 6 am, for a calmer darshan.
Check the timings before you go, as the temple closes in the middle of the day and reopens in the afternoon.
Spend time in the 100-pillared hall to see the carved pillars and the stone chain.
Follow the queue to the golden and silver lizards on the ceiling near the sanctum.
Wear modest clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
Try Kanchipuram idli at breakfast nearby, as the dish began in this temple's kitchen.
About Varadaraja Perumal Temple
Varadaraja Perumal Temple is the great Vishnu temple of Kanchipuram and one of the 108 Divya Desams, the holiest Vishnu temples praised by the Tamil saint-poets known as the Alvars. It gives its name to Vishnu Kanchi, the south-eastern part of town, and is a large complex of courtyards, halls and gopurams. It is also where the Kanchipuram idli began, as an offering from the temple kitchen.
The highlight for many visitors is the 100-pillared hall, whose pillars are carved with scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, along with a chain carved from a single block of stone. Inside, devotees touch the gold- and silver-covered lizards on a ceiling near the sanctum for blessings. The temple tank, Anantha Saras, hides the fig-wood idol of Athi Varadar, which is brought out only once every 40 years; it was last shown in 2019 and is next due in 2059.
Questions
Varadaraja Perumal Temple — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Varadaraja Perumal Temple?
Early morning, when the light on the gopuram is soft and the street in front is quiet; late afternoon, after the temple reopens, is the next best time. Stand back on the street in front of the main gopuram and take a straight-on photo of the whole tower, as phones are not allowed inside for shots of the 100-pillared hall.
Is there an entry fee at Varadaraja Perumal Temple?
Entry to Varadaraja Perumal Temple is free.
What are the opening hours of Varadaraja Perumal Temple?
Varadaraja Perumal Temple is open 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
What should I wear at Varadaraja Perumal Temple?
Saffron, cream and gold photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Varadaraja Perumal Temple get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: early morning, when the light on the gopuram is soft and the street in front is quiet; late afternoon, after the temple reopens, is the next best time.
What food should I try near Varadaraja Perumal Temple?
Try kanchipuram idli at spots close by.
What is Varadaraja Perumal Temple famous for?
It is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vishnu and is known for its 100-pillared hall, its stone chain, the golden and silver lizards, and Athi Varadar, the fig-wood idol shown only once every 40 years.
What are the golden lizards at Varadaraja Perumal Temple?
They are two lizard carvings on a ceiling near the sanctum, one covered in gold and one in silver. Devotees touch them in the belief that it removes bad luck and ill effects, and there is usually a queue to see them.
When will Athi Varadar be shown again?
Athi Varadar is brought out of the Anantha Saras tank once every 40 years. The last time was in 2019, for 48 days, so the next is expected in 2059.
How do I reach Varadaraja Perumal Temple?
The temple is in Vishnu Kanchi, a few kilometres south-east of Ekambareswarar and Kamakshi Amman. An auto-rickshaw from the town centre or the bus stand is the easiest way to get there.