Puranic History of Lord Varadarja

After creation of the World, Brahma desired the appearence of worship Lord Narayana in all His glory to offer his prayers. His desire was not fulfilled even after he did meditation and austerities for a long time. Then a holy voice informed him that he (Brahma) should do thousand Aswametha Yagas or do one Aswametha Yaga at a sacred place in Bharatham called Sathya Vradha Sthala. This means a good deed performed in Kancheepuram will yield benefits by thousand times.

Brahma called Vishwa Karma, the celestial sculpture to erect a city at Kancheepuram where he wanted to perform Yaga. Vishwa Karma built a beautiful city which was appreciated by even the celestial beings and there Brahma started performing Yaga without his wife Saraswathi. (It was customary to do yaga jointly with one's consort) Having heard about this yaga, Saraswathi got angry and wanted to destroy yaga salai by taking the form of a river, which was later called Vegavathi . Brahma was afraid and surrendered before Lord Narayana requesting the Lord to save him from this imminent danger. Lord Narayana lied down across the flowing river. As Saraswathi did not have strength to cross Lord Narayana, she entered the earth and d isappeared. Later Saraswathi got compromised and Brahma performed Aswametha Yaga.

At the end of the Aswametha yaga, the brightest and most beautiful Lord Varadarajar appeared along with his consorts Sridevi and Boodevi in Punniakodi vimanam which came out of Yaga Agni (Holy Fire). Lord Varadaraja asked Brahma what he wanted. Brahma begged the Lord that the Lord Devarajaswamy should remain in the same from at this sacred place permanently and to give darshan to the pleasure of all living beings in the world.

Lord Varadarajar, the bestower of boons conceded to Brahma's request. Since then the Lord Varadaraja has been giving darshan to the devotees at this holy place called Hastha giri. Hastham means elephant and giri means hill.

Lord Varadaraja was worshipped by Brahma in Kritha Yuga; by Gajendran (Sacred elephant suffered from a crocodile) in Treta yuga; by the Deva Guru (Teacher of Devas) Brahaspathi in Dwapara yuga ; and by Adiseshan in this Kali Yuga .

The Puranic History reveals that the Lord Varadaraja appeared amidst of Yaga Agni ( Holy Fire) in a most beautiful form carrying five weapons and with his consorts Sri Devi and Boodevi.