Sathya Varadaraja Perumal Temple is located in Arumbakkam, on the south bank of the River Cooum in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Traditionally, this place was known as Satyapuri in Sanskrit, meaning “city of truth.” In Tamil, it was called Arampakkam, with aram meaning truth (satya) and pakkam meaning place (puri). Over time, Arampakkam gradually evolved into Arumbakkam.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshipped here as Sathya Varadaraja Perumal. The prefix Sathya reflects the name of the place, Satyapuri, and also the Lord’s quality of upholding truth and justice. Devotees believe that He blesses all who worship Him with sincerity and honesty.
The main deity, Sathya Varadaraja Perumal, is seen in a unique seated posture (ardha-padmasana), with the right leg bent and placed on the pedestal and the left leg stretched forward. His upper right hand holds the Chakra, and the upper left hand holds the Shankha (conch). The lower right hand shows tadana hasta, a gesture symbolizing the punishment of evil, while the lower left hand rests on the gada (mace). A very special feature here is the prayoga Chakra, which is shown with its pointed end facing outward, unlike the flat style normally seen in most Vishnu temples. This style is associated with early Pallava and Chalukya art traditions.
The temple also has shrines for Goddess Perundevi Thayar (Lakshmi), Andal, Sudarsana (with Yoga Narasimha on the reverse side), Bhakta Hanuman, and the twelve Azhvars, the great saints devoted to Lord Vishnu.
In terms of architecture, the temple follows the traditional Dravidian style with a sanctum, mandapams, and smaller shrines. The iconography of the main deity — particularly the prayoga Chakra and tadana hasta — makes this temple distinct. These features indicate that the temple’s origins may go back several centuries, possibly to the Pallava or early Chalukya period (6th–8th century CE). Later Chola and Vijayanagara rulers are also believed to have contributed to its upkeep and development.
Long ago, Arumbakkam was a dense forest filled with flowering plants. Many sages performed penance here, seeking divine blessings. Among them, Sage Salihotra, a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, prayed with utmost sincerity for the Lord to appear before him in his true form and grant boons truthfully to all devotees.
Moved by his devotion, Lord Vishnu appeared along with Goddess Lakshmi and blessed the sage. The sage requested the Lord to stay here permanently as Sathya Varadaraja Perumal (the one who grants boons truthfully and stands for justice). The Lord agreed and took his abode here.
The temple celebrates several festivals through the year. Vaikunta Ekadasi is the grandest festival, attracting large numbers of devotees for special pujas, recitations, and rituals. Brahmotsavam is another important annual celebration marked by processions of the deity. Other festivals such as Sri Rama Navami, Krishna Jayanthi, and Deepavali are observed with devotion. Regular Ekadasi days and Saturdays also see many devotees gathering at the temple to seek blessings.
