KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2008

KSHETRA FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2008
VARAHUR –VARAHAPURI

Varahur is a small village in the Tanjore district of Tamil nadu. It is famous for its Srinivasa temple. Lord Srinivasa appeared before Shri Narayana Theerthar as a swayamvyaktha murthy. Swayamvyaktha denotes that the murthy is not man –made (not made by any sculptor) but appears on his own will. Narayana Theerthar is a saint who was born in Andra Pradesh near mangalagiri(1675-1745).He took to sanyasa in his early years. Once while traveling southwards he was afflicted by a chronic stomach ache.On his visit to Tirupati-Lord Srinivasa spoke thus ”oh saint -May you go to Varahapuri where you will be cured of your illness”. Narayana Theerthar hence resumed his journey towards varahur. Nevertheless he did not know where this place was situated.

One day while he was performing his usual ablutions(rituals) a white pig came close to him, signaled to him and started running. He too ran after it taking up the signal .This pig hitherto ran into a house (streets of varahur). Narayana Theerthar requested them to dig at that place. As they started digging there, Lord appeared in his benevolent form along with Sri Devi and Bhu- Devi. In ecstasy Narayana Theerthar at once sang”jaya jaya Ramanatha ,jaya jaya Dharanatha,jaya jaya Varahapura Sri Venkatesa jaya jaya”. Narayana Theerthar built a lovely temple for the Lord and thenceforth composed the magnum –opus by the name”Krishna Leela Tharangini”.The saint wanted to sing and enact a dance-drama before the Lord.However there was a vehement opposition from Varahur Bhramins.They totally opposed a sanyasi dancing and singing. However Narayana Theerthar took up the challenge.He placed the Lord on one side.There was a curtain in between and the saint started singing”Balagopala Krishna”.Indeed everybody could hear the twinkling sound of the anklets of the Lord dancing on the other side.They at once understood the greatness of the saint and asked forgiveness of him.Varahur Srinivasa proved to the world the saint’s greatness. From thenceforth Gokulashtami utsavam was celebrated with the grand songs of the saint being sung and enacted.Even to day Varahur is famous for its uriyadi utsavam.Thus it is this Kshetra which bestowed health, fame and salvation to this great saint.