DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 12thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
The
temple is among the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas and comes under Tondai
naatu divyadesams in Kanchipuram. It is one of the three most popular temples
in Kanchipuram - the others being Sri Ekambareeswarar temple and Lord
Varadaraja perumal temple. It is one of two temples in Kanchipuram where a
divyadesam is inside a Shaivite temple. The main sanctum is of Sri Kamakshi
amman and the presiding deity for the divyadesam is Sri Aadhi Varaha perumal.
Thayar is known as Anjilaivalli thayar.
As
Mother Kamakshi is supreme and dominant in this region, the nivedhnas and puja
codes followed for Her, is followed in all temples. 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.
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) Perumal.
The
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.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Kalvar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Anjilaivalli |
|
Theertham |
Nithya Pushkarani Theertham |
It
is the faith of the devotees that worshipping Lord Vishnu and Mother
Mahalakshmi together would bring them prosperity and growth in professions.
Vaikunta
Ekadasi in December-January and Navarathri in September-October are the
festivals celebrated in the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
The
temple is at a walkable distance from Kanchipuram bus stand.
TEMPLE ADDRESS:
Sri Kalva Perumal
Thirukkoil,
Thirukkalvanur,
Kancheepuram,
Tamil Nadu - 631502.
LOCATION:
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