Thirukkalvanur Sri Kalvaperumal Swamy Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Thirukkalvanur Sri Kalvaperumal Swamy Temple, Thirukkalvanur Kamakshi Amman Sannathi St, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502,Phone number: +91 44-3723 1988, 93643 10545

Diety

Kalvaperumal, Amman: Anjali Valli

Introduction

As Mother Kamakshi is supreme and dominant in this region, the nivedhnas and puja codes followed for Her, is followed in alltemples. Abishek to Kalva Perumal is performed only with an oil called Sambiranai Thailam. According to a story, Emperor Dasaratha worshipped Mother Kamakshi and Kalva Perumal before performing the yajna seeking Son Boon. It is also said that Lord Kalva Perumal advised Dasaratha to so. Sage Durvasa, though a Lord Shiva devotee had worshipped Lord Kalva Perumal. There is a mandap before the sanctum as the Gayatri Mandap in Mother Kamakshi shrine and also one under this mandap with Mother Kamakshi, it is said. It is explained that though the temple belongs to Kamakshi, She rules with due respect to Her elder Brother Kalva Perumal. Those entering this mandap have to sit and worship. Brothers and sisters are advised to worship Mother Kamakashi the sister and Lord Kalva Perumal the brother simultaneously for cordial relationship.

Puranic Significance

Lord Vishnu and Mother Mahalakshmi were discussing about the sins and good deeds of humans and their illusions about material achievements. During the course of the talk, the subject turned on beauty, personality etc. Mother Mahalakshmi said that people become prosperous at Her very sight because She was fair in complexion and went on to irritate Lord because He was dark in colour. Lord smilingly replied that real beauty was in the mind and not in external looks which only took people to illusions. Mother did not subscribe to this theory. Lord said, “You can love beauty but it should not make you proud. You have placed more importance and love on your beauty. You will become formless and your beauty will not be visible.” Mother did not expect this curse and sought His pardon and way to relief. Lord Vishnu advised Her to perform penance at a place that would bring a crorefold benefit for a single prayer. Mother Mahalakshmi reached Kancheepuram where Mother Parvathi too performed penance on Lord Ekambareswara. Mahalaskhmi got Her original form back. Due to her intense penance, She became superlatively beautiful that drew Lord Vishnu Himself. He saw Her hiding without Her knowledge and hence called Kalva (hiding like a thief) PerumalThe other story is that Lord Vishnu was listening to a conversation Mothers Kamakshi and Mahalakshmi had on the banks Pancha Theertha from behind hiding. Hence, the name came “Kalva.” Lord Kalva Perumal graces on a wall right of the Gayatri Mandap facing southeast direction. On the left wall graces Mother Mahalakshmi only with two hands against the traditional four in a worshipping form which is attributed to Her shedding Her pride. Mother Mahalakshmi also graces without a form (Aroopa-formless) in another wall behind Kamakshi Sanctum. It appears as if the form is split. People worship with kumkum on this form so that they would conquer pride caused by a beautiful complexion. Devotees have to worship Lord Kalava Perumal and Mother Mahalakshmi only after worshipping Aroopa Lakshmi Thayar.

Beliefs

It is the faith of the devotees that worshipping Lord Vishnu and Mother Mahalakshmi together would bring them prosperity and growth in professions.

Special Features

Presiding deity graces in a standing form. Mother Mahalakshmi appears in worshipping form. The vimana-tower above the sanctum sanctorum is of Vamana design.

Festivals

The annual festival falls in Spring, in the Tamil month of Masi, which runs from mid-February to mid-March. During this time the chariot festival (Ther) and float festival, (Theppam) are held.[1] Other festivals include Navaratri, Aadi and Aippasi Pooram, Sankara Jayanthi and Vasanta Utsavam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. All Fridays are considered sacred, though the Fridays in the Tamil months of Adi (mid-July to mid-August) and Thai (mid-January to mid-February) are celebrated.