Nitya Kalyana Perumal Temple, Thiruvidhantai

The Nitya Kalyana Perumal is in Thiruvidhantai village, 41 kilometres from Chennai, on the way to Mahabalipuram and is the sixty-second Divya Desam out of the 108 Divya Desams. In the form of Varaha, Nitya Kalyana Perumal is the presiding deity of the temple, and his Thiru Nakshatra is Uttarathadi in the month of Aipasi (October). Perumal carries Akhilavalli Thayar on his left leg and graces the devotees. Aadhi Varaha Perumal and Akhilavalli Nachiyar are the Moolavar deities. Nitya Kalyana Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. The temple has a Kalyana Vimana and a Punnai, such as the Sthala Vriksha (Temple Tree).

Since Perumal is ‘Thiru’ (Lakshmi on his left), Thiru-Ida-Endai is known as Thiruvidhantai. Thirumangai Azhawar has graced Perumal by singing ten hymns (Periya Thirumozhi Verses) in his praise.

Architecture

The temple has detailed and beautiful carvings on the pillars with inscriptions. Before the main entrance, there is a beautiful sixteen-pillared Vijayanagara Era Mandapam. It is flat-roofed and has inscriptions from the 10th to the 16th century, including that of Rashtrakuta king Krishna III and Mudalam Raja Rajan. The temple also has beautiful granite Mandapams of the later Chola and Vijayanagara eras.

The main deity is almost nine feet tall. Vishnu assumes the appearance of a Boar (Varaha), a unique form with the left foot elevated to the knee and resting on Adisesha’s head, while the right foot remains firmly on earth. The consort Bhumi Devi rests on the Lord’s thigh; no other temple reveals this form of Perumal.

Goddess Komalavalli Thayar is an incarnation of Lakshmi, found in Irundha Kolam (Seated Position) in a separate shrine.  She is the first among the 360 consorts of Nitya Kalyana Perumal, with a natural Dhrishti Pottu (Black Mark on Cheek to Protect Bride from Evil Eye).

Sri Andal is an incarnation of Bhumi Devi (Mother Earth) found in Nindra Kolam (Standing Posture) in a separate shrine. The primary deity (Moolavar) is found in Kidantha Kolam (Reclining Posture) on Adi Sesha (Multi-Hooded Serpent God). Sri Devi and Bhumi Devi are seated by his side.

History

The temple is over two thousand years old, built by the Pallavas near the seashore of the Bay of Bengal. There is a large holy water tank in front of the temple. The Chola kings also contributed to the enhancement of the temple in the 11th century, and it has Vijayanagara influences.

King Raja Raja Chozhan celebrated a seven-day festival in Avani (August-September) and a nine-day festival in Panguni (March-April). Vijaya Rajendra Chozha is believed to have donated this entire village to Perumal. The place is called Nitya Kalyana Puri, Varaha Puri and Sri Puri.

Legend

During Treta Yuga, Bali, the son of King Meganathan, ruled the kingdom righteously. The demons Mali, Malyavan and Sumali sought Bali’s help to fight the Devas, but he declined. The demons fought the Devas alone but were defeated. They approached Bali again, and this time, he conceded. He won the war but was afflicted with Brahmahati Dosha (Among 7 Worst Sins). He came to this place for relief and performed penance to Perumal, who was pleased with his devotion. Perumal granted him Darshan in the form of a Varaha (Boar).

According to the Puranas, at the request of Sage Kalva, who resided here with his 360 daughters, Perumal came as a Brahmachari (Bachelor) and married a girl every day. In 360 days, he married all the daughters. On the last day, he converted the 360 daughters into one and kept her on his left side.

The Nachiyar on the left side of Sri Varaha Murti is Akhilavalli Nachiyar, and Perumal was given the name Nitya Kalyana Perumal every day. It is believed Perumal self-manifested here with his consort, Komalavalli.

Significance

The temple is a Varaha Kshertram and is famous for marriages—those getting married offer two garlands to the Lord. After performing Pooja, the priest offers them one of the garlands, which the devotee should wear and perform Pradakshinam (Circumambulation) nine times so that they will get married soon.

The temple is known as Kalyana Theertham and follows the Thenacharya Sampradayam. Thirumangai Azhwar and Manavala Mamuni performed Mangalasasana (Salutations to Lord) here.

Prayers

Taking a holy dip in the Varaha Theertham in the Masi month and serving Perumal can help attain Moksha (Salvation). Serving Perumal destroys sins. The unmarried can find their life partners soon after offering prayers at this temple. It can grant relief from Dhrishti (Evil Eye) and Shukra (Venus) Doshas (Afflictions), remove obstacles that can delay marriage, and nullify the malefic effects of Snake Planets Rahu and Ketu.

Festivals

The temple celebrates the annual Brahmotsavam in Chithirai (April-May). Garuda Seva is performed during the months of Aani (June-July), Aadi (July-August), Masi (February-March), and Thai (January-February). The temple celebrates Thai Poosam and Panguni Uthiram, the Spring Festival in Vaikasi (May-June) month, and Vaikunta Ekadashi in the months of December-January.

Timings:

6:00 am -12:00 pm

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Connectivity

By Road– Buses to ECR, Mahabalipuram pass through Thiriuvidhantai

By Rail– The nearest railway station is at Chengalpattu, 37 kilometres away. The nearest stop for local trains is Taramani, 24.8 kilometres away.

By Air– The nearest airport is Chennai airport, 36 kilometres away.