Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All India Kanchipuram Athi Varadar Idol

Athi Varadar Idol

An effigy of the deity emerges from a temple's water every 40 years.

Kanchipuram, India

Added By
Aishwarya Santosh
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Darshan of Athi Varadar at Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple.   Ssriram mt/cc by-sa 4.0
Temple Tank where the idol will remain submerged for the next 40 years.   Ssriram mt/cc by-sa 4.0
Decorated God in Sleeping posture taken in 2019.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Athi_Va...
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Every 40 years, the silk town of Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, India, welcomes devotees from around the world who come to pay their respect to Athi Varadar. Catching a glimpse of Lord Vishnu in this incarnation is a vignette of memory to be cherished, as it is such a rare experience.

The wooden idol of Athi Varadar, which translates to “Fig God,” is carved from the fig tree. Once every four decades, it's restored to the water bed at the Varadharaja Perumal Temple.

This nine-foot-long idol is wrapped in silk cloth along with some organic preservatives to protect the wood from corrosion from the water's salt content. The tank is completely drained, and the idol is then placed within a wooden box and lowered into a nine-foot tub brimming with water. To ensure the box remains fixed to the bottom of the tank, nagabasams, serpent-shaped clamps, are placed on various corners of the box to secure the lock and prevent the box from floating to the water's surface.

The idol is initially dark brown in color when it's taken out from the water, but turns into a reddish-brown as the days pass by due to oxidation. Millions of people visit the Vasantha Mandapam for a public viewing, called darshan, to see where the idol is kept. For the first 24 days, the figure is put in a sleeping position. For the remaining 24 days, Athi Varadar is repositioned so he can stand and bless his devotees. 

Related Tags

Hinduism Statues Tradition Rites And Rituals Festivals

Know Before You Go

This phenomenon occurs every 40 years and will occur next in 2059.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Delhi and Rajasthan: Colors of India

Discover Colorful Rajasthan: From Delhi to Jaipur and Beyond.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Aishwarya Santosh

Published

September 23, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/athi-varadar-festival-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-event-5854090/
  • https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/athi-varadar-idol-switched-to-standing-position-for-the-next-16-days/article28789021.ece
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varadharaja_Perumal_Temple,_Kanchipuram#Festival_and_religious_practises
Athi Varadar Idol
152 W Mada St
Kanchipuram, 631501
India
12.819126, 79.723874
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Krishna's Butter Ball

Mahabalipuram, India

miles away

Tiger Cave

Mahabalipuram, India

miles away

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Chennai, India

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of India

India

Asia

Places 354
Stories 107

Nearby Places

Krishna's Butter Ball

Mahabalipuram, India

miles away

Tiger Cave

Mahabalipuram, India

miles away

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Chennai, India

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of India

India

Asia

Places 354
Stories 107

Related Places

  • Nontron, France

    Soufflaculs de Nontron

    This pair of statues commemorates a once-widespread carnival tradition of blowing on each other’s butts with bellows.

  • Zozobra.

    Santa Fe, New Mexico

    Burning of Zozobra

    Setting this massive marionette aflame rids Santa Fe of doom and gloom for another year.

  • Revelers are often noted for their glamour and artistry.

    Brooklyn, New York

    Coney Island Mermaid Parade

    The famed amusement district marks the beginning of summer with a wild procession of nautical creatures.

  • The champagne shower.

    Tartu, Estonia

    Karl Ernst von Baer Statue

    Once a year, local students "clean" this statue with a champagne shower.

  • Toss for the Cross.

    Tarpon Springs, Florida

    Tarpon Springs Epiphany Celebration

    Every January 6, young men dive into Spring Bayou in search of a cross and a year's worth of maritime blessings.

  • Nils Olav inspects the King’s Guard after being knighted at the Edinburgh Zoo.

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    Sir Nils Olav

    This king penguin is a knighted brigadier of the Norwegian Army.

  • Beltane Fire Festival.

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    Beltane Fire Festival

    Summer in Scotland begins with a spectacularly wild and colorful event rooted in ancient pagan traditions.

  • Moulton Crow Men.

    Moulton, England

    Moulton Crow Fair

    Every July, men dressed as giant crows dance around a scarecrow who comes to life.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.