Thirunindravur Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruvallur

Address

Thirunindravur Sri Bhaktavatsala Perumal Kovil, Thirunindravur, Mandapam Street, Thiruninravur, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu 602024.

Deity

Bakthavatsala (Vishnu), Amman: Ennai Petra Thayar

Introduction

• • Sri Bakthavatsala Perumal Temple, located at Thirunindravur, a western suburb of Chennai, India, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
  • Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture and glorified in the Divya Prabandha (6th–9th centuries AD).
  • One of the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Vishnu, worshipped as Bhaktavatsala Perumal, with consort Lakshmi as Ennai Petra Thayar.
  • Built by the Pallavas in the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar kings.
  • Surrounded by a granite wall enclosing shrines and two bodies of water.
  • Features a four-tiered Rajagopuram (gateway tower).
  • Bhaktavatsala Perumal is believed to have appeared to Kubera.
  • Six daily rituals and three yearly festivals, with Krishna Janmasthami being the most prominent.
  • Administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
• Puranic Significance
  • According to Hindu legend, Lord Chandran was cursed by Lord Guru for an affair with his wife, Thara. After penance and praying to Bhaktavatsala Perumal, Lord Chandran was freed from the curse.
  • A legend states that Lord Shiva protects Bhaktavatsala Perumal in this temple from all four directions.
  • The temple was built during the Pallava period (9th century), with inscriptions dating back to the 820–890 AD period of Nripatungavarman.
  • Later inscriptions from Chola kings such as Rajendra Chola II, Virarajendra Chola, and Rajaraja Chola II (11th–12th centuries) are also found here.
  • Inscriptions mention the area as Ninravur, sometimes referred to as Virudhurajabhayankar-chaturvertimangalam, a sub-division of Punarkottam.
• Special Features
  • Estimated to be 1500 years old.
  • The temple has a 5-tier gopuram at the entrance and two precincts.
  • The presiding deity (Moolavar), Bhaktavatsala, stands facing east, approximately 10 feet tall.
  • The procession deity (Utsavar), Patharaavi, is made of Panchaloha and is accompanied by two consorts.
  • Separate shrine for Ennai Petra Thayar

Century/Period/Age

1000 to 2000 years old

Managed By

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE)

Nearest Bus Station

Thirunindravur

Nearest Railway Station

Thirunindravur

Nearest Airport

Chennai

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