DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Thondai Naadu |
Thondai Naadu | 7thVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Thiru
Nilathingal Thundam is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu situated
within the temple precincts of Sri Ekambareshwarar Temple; one of the Pancha
Boothasthal of Lord Shiva represents Earth. This temple is located in
Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the oldest temples situated
from the date back to 600 A.D. built by the Pallava Kings; Kings of Chola
Dynasty also have made abundance of contributions to this temple. The tallest
majestic Rajagopuram of this temple was built by the King of Vijayanagara Sri
Krishna Devaraya. The most attractive thousand pillars Mandap was also the
contributions of Vijayanagara Kings.
Mother
Mahalakshmi has Her abode in the heart of Lord Vishnu on the left. Here, She
graces the devotee from the naval chord lotus of the Lord generally belonging
to Lord Brahma. Brahma creates beings with an order of life that may be good or
bad for them based on their past births, according to our beliefs and
scriptures. Worshipping Mahalakshmi in this temple, reverses the adverse
effects on the devotee originally fixed by Brahama.
Lord
Perumal blesses His devotees seeking child boon. It is noteworthy that Mother
Parvathi was relieved of the curse of Lord Shiva for closing His eyes though in
a playful mood. It is here Lord Perumal too got His vision restored by Lord
Shiva, according to some stories. It is said that Lord Shiva used Holy Ganga
for Parvathi and the Crescent Moon for Perumal to grace them. Worshipping Lord
Ekambareswara and Lord Nilathunda Perumal together would promote more affection
between brothers and sisters, it is advised.
Lord
Nilathnda Perumal blesses the devotees in a shrine in the first prakara in
standing form under the Purusha Suktha Vimana. As He came alone here for a
remedy, there is no shrine for Mother. However, Mother Mahalakshmi is
worshipped in a formless manner – Ner Uru Illa Thai – Mother without a form as
She is believed merged with the Lord.
As
Lord was cured by Lord Shiva, pujas to Perumal are performed in accordance with
Saivite codes. To reduce the excessive heat in His body, perfumed oil is applied
instead of abisheks. As the rays of crescent moon – Nila Thundu – fell on Him,
Lord is named Nilathunda Perumal. He is also praised as Chandra Chooda Perumal.
The Mangala Sasanam hymn of Tirumangai Azhwar describes this story.
The
legend has that Goddess Parvati underwent severe penance to attain Lord Shiva
as her husband. In order to test her devotion Lord Shiva originated massive
fire on the mango tree where Goddess Parvati was seated and engrossed in
meditation. Goddess Parvati earnestly prayed to Lord Vishnu- Sri Nilathingal
Thundathan to cool down the environment. Lord Vishnu instructed Lord Chandra
who was residing in the matted hair of Lord Shiva to shower his breezy air to
control the scorching heat. At last, everything reinstated to normalcy and
Goodess Parvati continued her penance. Thus, Lord Vishnu in this temple had
known ‘Thiru Nilathingal Thundan’.
Lord
Maha Vishnu took the form of Tortoise (Koorma Avatara) to the hold the Meru
Mount used as the stick (Mathu in Tamil) to churn the milk ocean. Serpent
Vasuki was used as the rope. Vasuki, exhausted during this exercise, split its
venom which fell on the Tortoise Vishnu under the milk ocean blackening His
skin originally alluring pale blue. Treatments were of no avail. Lord Brahma
suggested that worshipping Lord Shiva will remove the blackness and restore His
original shade. Perumal performed penance on Lord Shiva, who granted darshan.
Crescent Moon on the head of Lord Shiva spread his rays on Perumal. Black
disappeared. He recovered His own alluring blue shining better than before.
Lord Ekambareswarar Temple was built on the background of this story. As
Perumal got back His skin colour as before through rays of Moon, He is praised
as Nila Thunda-crescent moon-Perumal. The shrine is in the Easanya corner –
north east - of the temple. This is a temple in a temple – Vishnu temple in
Shiva temple. This is praised as one of the 108 Divya Desas of Lord Vishnu.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Nilathingalthundathan |
|
Ambal |
Sri Nilathingalthunda |
|
Theertham |
Chandra Pushkarani Theertham |
BELIEF:
Those
suffering from skin and stomach diseases and any adverse evil effects and
excessive heat in the body pray to Perumal and for child boon. Perumal darshan
also ensures affinity between mother and son.
Lord
bearing the light of moon, every poornima day – full moon day is a festival day
in the temple. Purattasi Saturdays of September-October and Vaikunda Ekadasi in
December-January are other festivals observed in the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
3
kms from Bus Stand. In side the Ekambareswarar Temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Nilathunda Perumal
Thirukkoil,
Nilathingal Thundam,
Kancheepuram,
Tamil Nadu - 631502.
LOCATION:
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