CHENNAI TEMPLES - Tambaram - Tiruvidandai

Thiruvidandai temple, constructed by the Pallava kings, is one of the 108 Divya Desams in the country. The temple lies near the seashore and has a Varaha Kshetram which is used for conducting marriages. This ancient temple has a large tank and a separate shrine for Komalavalli Nachiyar.

The main deity of the temple is Lord Adisesha with His consort on His left side. It also has a separate shrine for Andal and a shrine for Nithya Kalyana Perumal. 

Legend

Sage Gavalaa Maharishi had 360 daughters. He was very much worried to get them married. He prayed to Lord Vishnu. The Lord who resides here promised the sage that he would marry one daughter a day and married all the 360 in a year. So the Lord here is called as ‘Nithya Kalyana Perumal’. It is also told that Lord then immediately converted all the daughters into one and kept on left lap. Hence the name is called “ThiruVidandai”.

An annual Brahmotsavam festival is conducted at this temple during the Chittirai month, along with Garuda Seva in the months of Aani, Aadi, Masi and Thai. The main prasadam offered to the deity in the temple include Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam and Murukku.

Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple is a 1000 years old and it is believed to be built by Chola kings. The temple is not very huge but very beautiful. Thiruvidandai or Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple is one of 108 Divya desam (108 most important temples of Lord Vishnu). It is near Chennai around 40 km. It is Varaha Kshetram. It is famous for marriages. The temple was built by Pallavas. It is near Seashore. It has a large temple tank in front of the temple. It is quite an old temple. There is a separate shrine for Komalavalli Nachiyar. The Lord here stands on Adisesha and holds his consort on his left side. There is also separate shrine for Andal. The Temple follows Thenacharya Sampradayam. Sage Markandeya and King Mahabali had visited the kshetram. Even today many pilgrims come here and get the blessings of Lord Nithyakalyana Perumal. Those who wants to get married would be offering two garlands to Lord. After Puja, the priest would give one of the garlands. The person should wear that garland and do Pradakshinam. This is practiced, so that marriage would be fixed soon to the bhaktas.

At this temple, one finds the Lord in a unique standing posture facing East. While one leg is on the ground, the other is on Adhisheshan and his wife. And he is seen balancing Goddess Agila Valli on his left thigh. Lord Vishnu came here as a Brahmachaari and married one girl a day. Unmarried people will find their life partner immediately if they visit this temple. This place is also called Nithya Kalyana Puri, Sri Puri and Varaaha Puri. As the Lord merged 360 girls into one and appeared with the Goddess on his left on the last day, this place is called Thiru- Idanthai (Thiru-Goddess, Idanthai-left side), which in course of time became ThiruVidanthai.

 

Temple Name :Nithyakalyanar Kovil
Alias Name :Thiruvidandai
God Name :Sri Lakshmi VarahaSwamy
Goddess Name :Komalavalli Nachiyaar
Pushkarni :Kalyana Theertham
Vimanam :Kalyana Vimanam

Sri Nithyakalyanar Mahatyam

Sage Markandeya and King Mahabali had visited the kshetram. Even today many pilgrims come here and get the blessings of Lord Nithyakalyana Perumal. Those who wants to get married would be offering two garlands to Lord. After Puja, the priest would give one of the garlands. The person should wear that garland and do Pradakshinam. This is practiced, so that marriage would be fixed soon to the bhaktas.

Prasadam

Puliyodharai(Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam(Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam, Murukku are offered to Lord as Prasadam.

Darshan, Sevas and Festivals

The Annual Brahmotsavam will be conducted during Chittirai Month. Garuda Seva is held during the months of Aani, Aadi, Masi and Thai.

Composers

Thirumangai Alvar has sung is praise of Lord Nithyakalyana Perumal.

Travel and Stay

There are many hotels at Chennai and also bus facility available from Tiruvanmiyur to Nithyakalyanar Temple.