DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 21thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Sthala
Sayana Perumal temple is situated in Mammalapuram or Mahabaliuram which is
about 56 Kms from Chennai. Mamallapuram is the heritage town of South India.
The town, located near Chennai city, is full of Pallava era rock cut temples
and beautiful sculptures. The sites such as Shore Temple, Five Rathas and Arjuna's
Penance in Mamallapuram are world famous. Thousands of travellers throng to
Mamallapuram town to view the extraordinary sculptures. However, only few
travellers do visit to Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, another important landmark
of the heritage rich town.
It
may be true that Mamallapuram became a popular tourist site due to Pallava
kings. However, the town was popular as a port even in the ancient time. In due
course, the town also got religious importance. It is the birthplace of
Bhoothath Alwar, one of twelve Alwars, the great devotees of Lord Vishnu. It is
believed that he lived during the 7th century AD. Being the birthplace of one
of Vaishnaivite saints, the town became an important religious place for
Hindus. Also, the temple located at the heart of the town, which is dedicated
to Lord Vishnu, is one of 108 Divya Desam temples (108 important temples for
Lord Vishnu). Several other temples built on the sea shore have been washed
away, leaving this Divya Desam temple as the only prominent one.
The
lord is found in Sayana sevai (kidantha thirukolam / sleeping posture) in 27
divya desams. The most common or abundant is Bhujanga sayanam (20 Divya
desams), the most popular being Sri Rangam. Emperumaan in 26 divya desams
recline on Ananda (five headed snake popularly known as Adhisesha). In Thiru
Kadal Mallai the lord reclines on floor (Bhoomi / Sthal) with four hands.
The front two hands rests on Bhoomi and points towards His Lotus feet. While
the lord’s right rear arm rest under his head and the left arm is in rising
position as if to call the bhakths. Here the emperuman appears in a simple form
without AdhisEsha, Chanku (counch) and chakram (discus), as he appeared in this
divya desam to appreciate the rishi’s devotion and not to save or protect his
bhaktha (rishi) from any evil or deamon. Pundarika Muni is seen with folded
arms in the sanctum sanctorum by the lotus feet of the lord.
As
if following suit with the lord, Thayar in this temple is also sitting on the
floor (instead of sitting on lotus as seen in other temples) in a separate
sannidhi. Thayar is named as “Nilamangai Thayar” which means Thayar is sitting
on the floor.
Utsavar in this lovely temple is Sthalasayanatturaivaar also known as Ulagyuua
ninraan, he portrays a lotus bud in his right arm. The lord is seen wearing a
sweater to protect him from the cold as this picture was taken during the month
of puratassi (December to January) which being the coldest months during the
year in this part.
Pundareeka
Maharshi, who was staying in Mahaballipuram, desirous of worshipping Lord
Vishnu with 1000 lotus patels, proceeded eastward and was trying to drain the
waters of the ocean to make his way. Pleased with the effort of the rishi, Lord
Narayana came in the guise of an old man and asked for some food. Leaving aside
the work of removing the water the rishi went to fetch him some food, and when
he returned he found Lord Vishnu adorning Himslef with the flowers and giving
dharsan as Ananthasayanam and having adorned himself with 1000 lotus petals.
The lord is to have touched the sea water to swap away or to dry the sea water
on behalf of rishi, by His soft hand. Hence the sea here is called "Artha
Sethu".
The
current structure of the temple appears to have been built by Vijayanagara
kings in the 14th century AD. The east facing temple has a beautiful Raja
gopuram (tower). The sanctum santorum of the temple has Sthala Sayana Perumal -
resting on the floor with Garud near his feet; Pundareeka rishi is also found
in the sanctorum. The utsav (metal) idols of Perumal along with his consorts
Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi are also found in the santum santorum.
The Goddess of the temple is called as Nila Mangai Thayar, who is found in a
separate shrine. Similar to other South Indian Vishnu temples, Garud shrine is
facing the main shrine. The flag staff (kodi maram) and bali peeth are also
found in the temple.
The
prakara (corridor surrounding the main shrine) has few small shrines dedicated
to various deities such as Andal, Bhoothath Alwar, Ram-Lakshman-Sita, Hanuman
and Lakshmi Narasimha. All the metal idols of the temple are found in a
separate shrine near the main shrine. Tirumangai Alwar and Bhoothath Alwar have
sung the praise (mangala sasanam) of Sthala Sayana Perumal. The temple tank is
located outside the temple complex.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Sthalasayana Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Nilamangai |
|
Theertham |
Pundareeka Pushkarani Theertham |
Majority of the
devotees pray for the removal of obstacles in their wedding.
Bhoothathazhwar
Avata Utsavam, the birth anniversary of Bhoothatazhwar is celebrated every year
during the Tamil month of Aipasi (October - November). At
around 10 am on the festival day, the festival image of the Azhwar is brought
in a palanquin to the shrine of Nilamangai Thayar and then to Stalasayana
Perumal. After recital of Periyathirumozhi of Thirumangai Azhwar, Kaithala Seva, a practise of
providing a special gift to Bhoothathazhwar is performed. Bhootathazhwar also
makes a trip to the Cave temple of Mahabalipuram. During the evening, the
festival images of the presiding deity of Stalasayana Perumal and
Bhoothatazhwar is taken around the streets of the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
This
place 56 kms from Chennai. Excellent bus services are available.and the fare is
nominal. Frequency of the buses is about every 10-15 minutes. There are also
many tour operators who offer package tours to temples in and around
Mammalapuram.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Sthala Sayana
Perumal Thirukkoil,
ThiruKadalmallai,
Tamil Nadu.
LOCATION:
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