Kanchi is very popular as a Temple city. There are around 1000 temples of various gods in this city. But KCR the Chief Minister of Telangana is specifically going for the darshan of Athivardar or Varadaraja Swamy. It is reported that this diety of Athivardar is brought out for darshan after every 40 years. That means the real diety is being brought out for darshan and that is the reason KCR wants to see it.
Athivardar was kept in a silver box with the apprehension that the idol would be destroyed by the invaders along with the temple. There is history that Vishwakarma the sculptor of Lord Brahma has made this idol of Athi varadar for the temple of Varadaraha Swamy.
Taking the threat into consideration the idol was kept in a silver box of about 10 feet and hidden by the side of the temple lake. Now it is being brought out for every 40 years and kept for the darshan of people and later kept underground.
That is the reason KCR is going for darshan of this rare idol of the lord Athivardar. Vaaradar is nothing but Varadarajaswamy. The Varadar idol is about 9 feet. The diety now which is in the temple is a different one. The original idol supposed to be chiselled by Vishwakarma comes out for every 40 years.
Athivaradar was seen in 1979 and worshipped. Now it will be out for about 48 days.
There is already heavy rush of pilgrims for the darshan of Athivaradar. That is the reason KCR is interested in having the darshan of Athivardar and later he will go to Tirumala.
