Sridevi & Bhudevi with Varadarajar in Kanchipuram

In all the vaishnava temples the utsava murti (processional deities) are flanked by Sridevi (on the right side) and Bhudevi (on the left side) of the lord. Sridevi idol is seen with the left hand in the Kataka hasta pose (the fingers are partially closed, holding a lotus) and the right hand hangs loosely on the side and the fingers are held in the Gajakarna pose. Bhudevi idol is very similar to the idol of Sridevi, the only difference in the idols is the swap in the hand poses. The idol of Bhudevi has her right hand in Kataka hasta pose and the left in Gajakarna pose.

The utsava murti of Sridevi and Bhudevi of lord Varadaraja of kanchipuram are unique. Here both Sridevi and bhudevi have their right hand in the Kataka hasta pose (the fingers are partially closed, holding a lotus) and their left hand hangs loosely on the side and the fingers are held in the Gajakarna pose.

Both Sridevi and Bhudevi represent the two equal spirits of goddess Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Specially in Athigiri – Lord Varadarajan wants to emphasis that there is no difference between Sridevi and Bhudevi, that explains the reason for the similarity.

Location: Lord Varadarajara perumal temple is located in vishnu kanchi area of Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is about 75 kms from Chennai. One can take either the Chennai - Bangaluru express way or take the Chennai Kanchipuram highway which passes via Walajabad. Approximate travel time is about 2 hours.