Thirukadalmallai Sri Sthalasayana Perumal temple, Mahabalipuram

Address

Thirukadalmallai Sri Sthalasayana Perumal temple, SS Mada St, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104

Diety

Sthalasayana Perumal, Amman: Nelamangai

Introduction

Sthalasayana Perumal Temple (also called Arulmaakadal Perumal Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu located near Kollumangudi, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located 2 km away from Kollumangudi, 40 km away from Kumbakonam and 10 km from Karaikal. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Sthalasayana Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Thirumagal Nachiyar. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all the shrines. There is a four-tiered rajagopuram, the temple’s gateway tower, in the temple. Sthalasayana Perumal is believed to have appeared to sage Vyaghrapada. Three daily rituals and three yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Brahmotsavam festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May–June), being the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Tower: GaganaKriti Vimanam Temple tank: Pundarika Pushkarni

Puranic Significance

As per Hindu legend, once sage Pundarika was performing penance worshiping Vishnu at this place. He collected Tamarasa flowers and submitted it to view Vishnu in Ksirabdhi Natha form, his posture in Tirupaarkadal. He collected 1,008 flowers and in his intensity, he scooped out water also in full. Vishnu came in disguise in the form of sage and asked him for food. The sage went to acquire food for the old man, but while returning he found that Vishnu remained in the place. Since Vishnu stayed in this place, he was called Sthalasayana Perumal. It is said that Mahabali Chakravarthy ruled this sthalam and as per the varam he got from Vamaanar, one of the Incarnations (Avathaaram) taken by Sriman Narayanan, this sthalam is named as “Mahabalipuram”. It is one of the said story about this sthalam. Pundareeka Maharisi started and maintained a big nandavanam (Flower park) here and wanted to dedicate all the Lotus flowers which flowers in this nandhavam to the divine feet of Emperumaan. Once, he plucked all those Lotus flowers and put them in a basket and started walking to Paramapadhanadhan in Thiruppaarkadal. But, he could not walk cross the sea, because of the huge waves of the sea. To make the sea dry, he started to clear the water through his hands. But, actually he could not do that and it is impossible for an ordinary person to do so. At that time, Emperumaan came there as an old man and told him he is hungry and he wants some food to eat. Perumal said if he gives the food, he can also help him to make the water dry.

Special Features

The temple is located in Mahabalipuram, a historic town on the outskirts of Chennai. The temple is located close to Arjuna’s Penance, the most famous landmark of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. The temple is also believed to be the birthplace of Bhoothathazhwar, the 2nd Azhwar, the poet saints of 7th-9th centuries. The temple has a seven tiered rajagopuram built during 15-16th century. The granite base of the entrance is studded with sculptures. There are two precincts inside the temple with the sanctum is located axial to the main gate and approached through a Dwajasthambam, bali peetam (sacrificial altar), Deepa Stambam (altar for lamps) and Garuda Mandapam. The sanctum houses the image of Sthalasayana Perumal, the presiding deity, in reclining posture. The image is sported with Ahvahanahasta, which indicates beckoning devotees to him. The image of Pundarika Maharishi is seen in standing posture. The processional deity, namely Ulaguyyaninran, sported with four arms, is housed in the sanctum. There is an east facing shrine to the right of sanctum for Lakshmi, the consort of Perumal, in the form of Nilamangai Thayar. There are shrines for Andal, Lakshmi Narasimha, Bhuthathazhwar, Rama and Azhwars in the first precinct around the sanctum. There is a shrine for Hanuman opposite to the shrine of Rama. There is a four pillared hall, with sculpted pillars in front of the temple, was designed for Dolotsavam (swing festival). The temple tank is located outside the temple and is called Pundarika Pushkarani. It has a small pillared mandapa in its centre.