Tiruvidandhai Sri Nityakalyana Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Deity: Nithyakalyana Perumal, Amman: Komalavalli Thayar
Temple Address: Tiruvidandhai Sri Nitya Kalyana Perumal Temple, Tiruvidandhai-603 112. (Near Kovalam on Pudurcheery-Chennai East Coast Road), Kancheepuram district.
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

Located in Thiruvidandai, a village in Chennai, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu.
Dedicated to Varaha (boar avatar of Vishnu).
Constructed in Dravidian style of architecture.
Glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of Azhwar saints (6th–9th centuries AD).
One of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu.
Vishnu is worshipped as Nithyakalayana Perumal (Varaha), and his consort Lakshmi as Komalavalli Thayar.
Original structure built by Pallavas (7th century CE), with later additions by Cholas (11th century CE).
Temple Tower (Vimanam): Kalyana Vimanam.
Temple Tank: Kalyana Theertham.

Puranic Significance

Jaya and Vijaya, gatekeepers of Vishnu, were cursed to be born as asuras (demons).
They were born as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, sons of Sage Kashyapa and Diti.
Hiranyaksha obtained a boon making him invincible to humans and animals.
He captured Bhudevi (Earth goddess) and hid her under the ocean.
Vishnu assumed the Varaha (boar) avatar to defeat Hiranyaksha.
Varaha lifted Bhudevi on his tusks and restored her to her original place.
Bhudevi fell in love with Varaha, and he took her in his lap at this site.
Sage Kalava wished for Vishnu to marry his 360 daughters – Varaha fulfilled his wish by marrying one each day for a year.
Due to this, he is known as Nithyakalyana Perumal (Lord who marries daily).
King Harikesarivarman, a devotee, wished to settle here but was directed to Mahabalipuram, leading to the legend of Thirukadalmallai Temple.

Special Features

Located 38 km from Chennai, on the East Coast Road (ECR) towards Mahabalipuram.
Sanctum approached through a 16-pillared sculpted hall.
Pillars feature various mythological sculptures, including a replica of the presiding deity.
The temple has two flat gateway towers and two temple masts aligned with the sanctum.
Enclosed by granite walls with two precincts.
Granite idol of Nithyakalyana Perumal (Varaha) with Bhudevi on his lap is 7 ft (2.1 m) tall – a rare depiction of Varaha.
Garuda Shrine faces the sanctum.
Separate shrines for:
- Ranganathar and Ranganayagi (first precinct).
- Andal (left of the sanctum).
- Komalavalli Thayar (North-West corner).
Three temple tanks:
- Kalyana Pushkarani – principal tank, opposite the temple on ECR.
- Varaha Pushkarani – near the northern compound wall.
- Ranganatha Tirtham – northeast of the temple.
Sacred Tree: Punnai Tree, usually associated with Shiva temples.