Bronze Idol of Vishnu Varadaraja Perumal

This bronze idol of Vishnu Perumal is created by one of the many skilled artisans of Swamimalai in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Perumal is how Vishnu is lovingly addressed in Tamil Nadu, particularly by Alwar saints of the yore and Sri Vaishnava devotees of South India currently. <br> <br>Varadaraja means &nbsp;‘boon giving king&nbsp;’, which too is an epithet of Vishnu in reference to his nature as a compassionate lord who is easily pleased with sincere devotion and grants liberal boons. Vishnu is the deity of the famous Varadaraja Perumal Temple of Kanchipuram in the state Tamil Nadu in Southern India, of whom this outstanding bronze statue is. <br> <br>This bronze idol of Vishnu Perumal is created by one of the many skilled artisans of Swamimalai in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Perfect in iconography, design of this idol of Vishnu is beautiful and pleasant to behold. He wears <em>vajrakiritam</em> - a type of crown specific to Vishnu. His ears are bedecked with hanging <em>makarakundal</em> (crocodile shaped earrings). Rich jewellery and costly silk cloth is shown to adorn Varadaraja Perumal&nbsp;’s person. <br> <br>Perumal is seen four-armed. He holds <em>chakra</em> (disc) called <em>Sudarshana</em> and <em>shankha</em> (conch) called <em>Panchajanya</em> in his upper two raised hands. One of his lower hands is raised in <em>abhaya mudra</em> (fearlessness-granting pose) and the other holds mace called <em>Kaumodaki</em>. <br> <br>Perumal Varadaraja Vishnu stands on a lotus pedestal which is placed on a second square pedestal. Both pedestals, created using traditional designs, impart majestic grace to this already awesome bronze statue of Goddess Adi Lakshmi seated on a lotus, showcasing the richness of <a href="https://www.cottage9.com/art-technique/madhuchishtavidhana/">Madhuchishtavidhana</a> craftsmanship. <br> <br>&nbsp;