Thirukkachchi Varadaraja is traditionally enumerated as number 73 among the 108 Divya Desams — the sacred abodes of Sri Maha Vishnu sung by the Alvars.
Kanchipuram is one of the ancient cities of South India. It is situated about 65 to 70 Kms southwest from Madras City. This place is mentioned even in Mahabhashya written in the 2nd century B.C. by Patanjali."Manimekalai", one of the ancient epics in Tamil literature and"Perumpannatrupadai", a great Tamil poetical work of Sangam period also describe this city. Kalidasa praised the city by saying"Pushpeshu jaji, purusheshu vishnuh, nareeshu rambha, nagareshu kanchi."The Pallavas, the Cholas and Vijayanagar tulers have had suzerainty over this city. Of the 63 Saivite Nayanmars, three viz., Sakkiya Nayanar, Thirukurippu Thonda Nayanar and Jyadigal Kadaverku lived in this city and attained salvation. Four out of the twelve Vaishnavite Alvars viz., Pey Alvar, Bhoothath Alvar, Thirumazhisai Alvar and Poigai Alvar were born within 50 miles radius of this city. Sri Parimelalagar who wrote the commentary on Thirukkural lived in Kanchi. Besides; famous religious leaders like Sri Adi Sankara, Sti Mooka Sankara and Sri Ramanujar and eminent acharyas like Sri Nigamanta Mahadesikar and Sri Manavala Mamuni added lustre to this city.
There are seven cities held as very sacred in India. They are Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridvar, Kasi, Kanchi, Avanthi and Dvaraka. It will be seen that three of these cities are sacred to the Saivites, three to the Vaishnavites but Kanchi is sacred to both. In addition, Kanchi has also been the seat of learning for Jains and Buddhists. Hieun- T-Sang, the famous Chinese traveller visited the city in 7th century A.D. and has recorded that this city was full of erudite scholars and was very advanced in culture. He said
that the people of Kanchi were superior in bravery, learning and piety to all others he had met during his travels all over India. It is claimed that the first Principal of the Nalanda University, started by Emperor Harshavardhana in the North, was one Dharmapala who had his education under a scholar at Kanchi.
The city has dhanur akara i-e. the form of a bow. The, western part is higher in level than the eastern part and ‘river Vegavati flows on the southern periphery of the city. The four magnificent temple towers of Lord Varadaraja oversees the entire city. The very entrance to the city is dotted with numerous temple towers and gives an overwhelming holy feeling. The artistic beauty of the high rising towers and huge walled enclosures of the temples filled with exquisite pieces of architecture and pillared mandapas, add to the piety and devotion. The city of Kanchi is thus a treasure house of art, architecture, and devotion and is fittingly called the city among cities and the"City of Temples".
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