Sthala Puranam
This is the story of Varagur, a small village situated on the bank of the River Kudamurutti, tributary of river Cauvery. In this remote village, the Great Saint Narayana Theertha Swamigal who composed the famous songs Tharangini attained Deva Mukthi after he received the Viswaroopa Darshan of Lord Venkatesa Perumal. Varagur, originally known as Bhoopathi Rajapuram, is a village in Thanjavur district of Tamilnadu, in India. Known as “Heaven on Earth” (Bhoolaka Vaikuntam), it is over a thousand years old. Today, this fertile, beautiful village’s main street is a south bound street, beginning with a brook called Kathungalaaru (கதுங்கலாறு). Right after the brook is a Pillayar temple with its temple pond. The Sri Maha Kailasanatha Swamy Kovil follows after the pond and in the midst of a line of houses stands Sri Venkatesa Perumal Kovil followed by the border deities Ayyanar and Peramanar.
The main deity of the village is Sri Venkatesa Perumal. Per archaelogical researchers, this deity was originally instituted as Sri Lakshmi Narayana by the Paranthaka Sozha King also known as Veera Narayanan. The moolavar, utsavar deities are considered to be classic examples from the Sozha period of architecture.
Sri Narayana Theertha Swamigal came to Varagur from Andhra Pradesh, seeking Sri Venkatesa Perumal’s blessings. Since his visit, the village came to be known as Varahapuri (வராஹபுரி), which later came to be known as Varagur (வரகூர்).
Frequently asked questions
Where is Varagur?
Varagur is in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India, about 25 kilometres from Thanjavur town, on the bank of the Kudamurutti river — a tributary of the Cauvery. Coordinates: 10.84° N, 78.99° E.
Why is Varagur called Varagur?
The village was originally called Bhoopathi Rajapuram. When Sri Narayana Theerthar followed a white pig (Varaha in Sanskrit) to the Sri Venkatesa Perumal Kovil here, the village came to be called Varahapuri, which later became Varagur.
What is Varagur known for?
It is known as the place where Sri Narayana Theerthar composed the Krishna Leela Tharangini and attained Deva Mukthi, as the home of the Sri Venkatesa Perumal Kovil and the Sri Maha Kailasanatha Swamy Kovil, and as the site of the annual ten-day Uriyadi festival. The village is also called Bhoolaka Vaikuntam — Heaven on Earth.
How do I reach Varagur?
The nearest major town is Thanjavur (about 25 km away); Kumbakonam and Tiruchirappalli are also within easy reach. The Thanjavur–Kumbakonam road passes near the village. See the Visit Varagur page for current directions and timings.