Lizard worship in Hinduism (Post No.13,042)
Date uploaded in London – – 26 FEBRUARY 2024
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Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal Temple
We may see lizard worship in three temples in Tamil Nadu. They are in Kanchipuram, Sri Rangam and Vellore.
Vellore is famous for its historical shiva temple known as Jalakandeshwar temple. This ancient temple is known for its intricate carvings and architecture.
Apart from its architectural and historical importance, this temple has a unique tradition. Those youngsters who want to get married come here, and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. Once their marriage is set, they return and donate a small silver lizard to the temple.
Sri Varadaraja perumal temple is most famous for the Golden (big in size) and Silver lizard (smaller in size) which are positioned on the ceiling of one of the buildings and it is said that touching them would absolve you from all sins hence there is always a queue for that. They have placed a ladder for the convenience of the devotees.
The gold-silver plated lizard in Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal temple has the auspicious power to lift all your lizard related doshas. According to beliefs, curses caused by lizard can cause negative impacts in one’s life.
One gold-silver plated lizard is seen in the ceiling of the temple and there is a small one with Sun and Moon figures.
Lizards in Sri Ranagm Temple
Recently I had been to several Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu. I was surprised to see two golden lizard images in the roof of the most famous Vaishnavite temple of Tamil Nadu. It is in Srirangam. The person who accompanied me could not explain the reason for its depiction there. Lizard has no direct connection with any Hindu god.
But the puzzle was solved when I visited another Vishnu temple in Kanchipuram. It is Varadaraja temple. There was a big queue outside the main shrines. I thought they were waiting for food or prasad. But I was told that they were waiting to see the golden lizard image on the roof. They showed me a board which gave the history of the golden lizard.
Story 1
Two sons of Sringipera Rishi (seer) were the disciples of another seer Gautama. One day the water they fetched for the Puja of their Guru had a lizard in it. Gautama went into rage and cursed both to become lizards. When they apologised profusely and asked for an exit strategy, Gautama told them that they must go to Kanchipuram where their penance would give them 1000-fold benefits.
Both went in the form of lizards to Kanchi and prayed to Varadaraja (Vishnu) and were released from the effect of the curse. Their soul went to the abode of Vishnu but the lizard bodies remained on earth. Lord Varadaraja made them to shine like gold and told his devotees that they would get good heath and wealth even if they see the lizard images. He also made Sun and Moon as witnesses. The meaning is that they would last as long as the Sun and Moon exist. People stood in long queue and paid two rupees each to touch the lizard.
The pictures in the web pages show only one lizard, but in Sri rangam I saw two golden lizards.
Story 2
Sagara, King of Ayodhy,a had a son by name Asamanjan. He and his wife were cursed to become lizards for the blunder the committed. When they went to seer Upamanyu, he advised them to go to Kanchi to come out of the curse. When thy worshiped Lord Varadaraja, they took their normal form and went to heaven. Lord Varadaraja said that whoever sees the lizard would be relived of all the diseases.
Lizard in 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature
Lizard plays an important role in Tamil literature. Even animals in the forest listen to the clicks of the lizards and take next step. Tamil women are very keen about lizard predictions. Tamil almanacs devote one full page to lizard predictions.
The wild boar in the forest was about to enter the trap laid by the watchmen in the field. But it hesitated when it heard a lizard’s tickling. It stepped back and escaped. -Akananuru verse 88
The lizards clicking noise is considered a good omen. The hero finishes his work in a distant country and starts to his village. He keenly desires that the lizard at home should tickle whenever his fiancé thinks about him. He believed that it would give her hope and relieve of her distress and despair- Akananuru verse 351
The lady companion at home listens to its lovable sound at midnight and consoles the heroine by interpreting it suitably- Natrnai verse 333
Two-thousand-year-old Sangam Tamil literature has several references like this.
Lizards in Hindu Almanacs
Tamil Panchanga books give the good and bad effects of lizard clicks and lizard falling on someone. It is very common to see lizards in the roofs and walls of every Tamil house. It suddenly falls on someone. Then they refer to the almanac to find the good and bad news. If it falls on a particular body part it may bring death or wealth. If it makes clicks from a particular direction it may be good or bad news. All these are listed in the Panchang.
Lizard on Roman Coins
Christians had some superstition about the lizards. They believed that they would lose eyesight when they become old. But regained the eyesight when the sunlight touched the cracks where they took rest facing east. This is in Physilogus. They used lizard to say that Jesus also would open the eyes of your heart when you become weak.
Lizard is a hibernating animal. This is used by Christians as a symbol of death followed by resurrection.
Lizards’ tail grows when it is cut off. On Roman coins it is associated with Salus, the goddess of safety and welfare, presumably because of its ability, if its tail is cut off, to grow a new one.
Christian theology took over the positive valuation (rebirth, rejuvenation, longing for spiritual light) and represented the lizard on candle holders, censers and the like. Like the bee, the lizard could embody the soul; in this form it could slip out of the mouth of the sleeping persons, who after the lizards return wold be able to recall its experiences.
Lizards are considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity in Chinese culture. They are often depicted in art and jewelry as a symbol of wealth and are believed to bring good luck to those who keep them as pets. The lizard sheds its skin and is reborn, making it a powerful symbol of change and renewal. Lizards are known for their agility and adaptability, often used as a symbol of these qualities in Chinese culture.
Lizard Astrology
If we go to the Lizard astrology page, the Panchang divides it into two parts. It tells you what would happen if a lizard falls on you and if the lizard calls (makes sound). It tells you something good or bad would happen depending upon the part of the body it touches or the direction of the sound. Big tabular columns are in the Panchang for birds and lizards predictions. Tamils considered lizard’s chirps as an omen prophesying good or bad news.
Ilattup Putan Tevan (eezaththup Bhuuthan Devan) Sri Lankan Tamil poet, settled in Tamil Nadu, sings about lizard astrology that was observed by the Tamils 2000 years ago. Even today Tamil Panchangams (almanac) publish Palli Jothidam saying what will happen if it falls on a particular part of body of a person and what is going to come depending upon the direction from which it makes chirping sound or clicking sounds. Bengalis interpret it only one way. It means Yes or Correct in Bengali.
The poet says even the pigs observe this to emphasize that Tamils are so much involved in it (So superstitious)!
The wild pig (boar) is wise enough to listen to the tickling sound of the lizard (Gecko) and carefully enters the Tinai (millet plants) field in the night (Akanaanuuru verse 88).
But Ukkirap peru vazuthi clearly says that a wild porcupine even abandoned its venture of going out when it heard the lizard in Natrinai verse 98. It was about to go out of its den for the food and at that time heard the lizard and went back to its rocky den thinking it is a bad omen.
Lizard Omens/Prediction
An anonymous poem in the same Natrinai (verse 169) anthology says that the hero believed that his girlfriend or wife would have heard positive tickling sound of wall lizard indicating his returning home on that day. This gives us the impression that the wall lizards in the houses are greatly welcomed and supported by the Tamils.
Another poet Kavan Mullaip Putanar says the lizard on the Kalli tree makes its characteristic tickling sound with its bell like voice and is said to be predicting events to the wayfarers (Akanaanuuru verse 151). Lizards are prognosticators for Tamils.
A lizard on the tombstone / nadu kal on the way of travellers make clicking sounds and the wayfarers pause a while on hearing its tickling sounds according to Maruthan Ila Nagan (Mr Junior Naga poet)- Akananuru 387.
Some poets described lizards as Muthu Vaay Palli or Kani Vaay Palli.
The epithets ‘Muthu Vaay’ and Kani Vaay are interpreted by the commentators ‘as one who can foretell or predict future events’. Palli is the Tamil word for lizard/gecko.
Here is a scene where the lizard’s noise brings some good news. The hero finishes his duty in the distant country and starts to his village when he keenly desires that the lizard at home should tickle whenever she thinks of him and thus give her hopes of his return and relieve her of distress and despair. See Akananuru 351 by Porunthil Ilam Keeranaar
The lady companion at home hears its lovable noise at midnight and consoles the heroine by interpreting its sound suitably. See Natrinai 333 by Kallikkudi Puutham Pullanaar .
–subham–
Tags- Lizard worship, silver lizard, golden lizard, Kanchipuram, Vellore, Sri Rangam, Panchangam, Tamil literature, animals listen , Lizard predictions
Tamil and Vedas 
