Varahaperumal Temple, Kumbakonam

Varahaperumal Temple in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, is dedicated to Varaha, the boar incarnation of Vishnu, who is worshipped here with his consort Bhoomidevi. The legend behind it tells of a demon who carried the earth down below the ground; answering the prayers of the devas, Vishnu took the shape of a boar, fought the demon and raised the world back up.

The temple is one of five Vishnu shrines in Kumbakonam linked to the Mahamaham festival, held once every 12 years, the others being the Sarangapani, Chakrapani, Ramaswamy and Rajagopalaswamy temples. Garudasevai is among its main festivals, and its Mahasamprokshanam, or consecration ceremony, was held on 26 October 2015.