Thirukadalmallai
| ThiruKadal Mallai | |
|---|---|
 |
|
 ThiruKadal Mallai
Location in Tamil Nadu
|
|
| Name | |
| Other names | Sthalasayana Perumal Kovil |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 12°37′0″N 80°11′55″E / 12.61667°N 80.19861°ECoordinates: 12°37′0″N 80°11′55″E / 12.61667°N 80.19861°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| District | Kanchipuram |
| Location | Mahabalipuram |
| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Sri Sthalasayana Perumal |
| Consort | Nilamangai Thayaar |
| Temple tank | Pundarika Pushkarni |
| Shrine | GaganaKriti Vimanam |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Dravidian architecture |
Sthalasayana Perumal Temple (also called Thirukadalmallai) is at Mahabalipuram. 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 Nilamangai Thayar. The temple is believed to have been built by Pallavas, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks.
The temple is believed to be the birthplace of the Vaishnava Azhwar saint Bhoothathalvar. Sthalasayana Perumal is believed to have appeared to sage Pundarika. The temple is open from 6 am to 12 pm and 3pm to 8:30 pm and Six daily rituals and a dozen yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Bhoothatazhwar Avata festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Aipasi (October–November) being the most prominent. The temple is one of the 32 Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram that are declared as UN world heritage sites, but unlike others that are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
As per Hindu legend, once sage Pundarika was performing penance worshipping 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. The legend is sanctified by Bhoothatazhwar in his verses in Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
...
Wikipedia