Thirukkadalmallai : Gateways of Mukthi – Temples of India

Introduction

Sthalasayana Perumal Temple (also called Thirukkadalmallai) is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located at Mahabalipuram near Chennai. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha. The Lord residing here is Sthalasayana Perumal (the Lord who reclines on the ground) along with his consort Lakshmi as Nilamangai Thayar. The temple is believed to have been built by Pallavas, with contributions from Cholas, Vijayanagar kings and Madurai Nayaks. This temple is also the birthplace of Bhoodhaththazwar, one of the twelve Vaishnavite Azhwars.

Legend

Several centuries ago, Sage Pundarika was performing a severe penance towards Lord Vishnu in the dense forests near Mahabalipuram. He collected 1008 flowers meticulously to offer the Lord when he encountered the ocean on the way. So, he started scooping out the water tirelessly from the ocean. He did this for many years without getting tired while praying that the flowers remain fresh.

Lord Vishnu then disguised himself as an old man and met sage Pundarika. He advised him to stop his futile task. The sage however replied that he will not rest until he can offer his flowers at the feet of the Lord at the Milky Ocean. The old man asked the sage to get him food as he was hungry. The sage handed the flower basket to the old man and set out to get some food. When he returned with food, the sage was astonished to see that the Lord had worn all the flowers and was lying on the ground in the reclining posture.

As Lord gave darshan to Pundarika in his reclining position on the ground, he is praised as Sthalasayana (Sthala – ground) Perumal.

References

There are several references to this place from Sangam Literature (3rd Century CE). The temple is referred in the works of Bhoodhathu Azhwar and Thirumangai Azhwar. These works put the age of this temple at around 2000 years.

Temple Structure

Inside the temple, the Lord is seen reclining on the ground with Ahvaanahasta mudra, (beckoning the devotees towards him). The idol of sage Pundarika is seen near the Lord. The Utsavar (processional deity) is known as Ulaguyya ninraan. In the East-facing shrine there is a sanctum for Goddess Lakshmi, in the form of Nilamangai Thayar. There are shrines for Andal, Lakshmi Narasimha, Bhuthathazhwar, Rama, Hanuman and the Azhwars around the sanctum. The temple tank is known as Pundarika Pushkarini.

Located one km south of Thirukkadalmallai is the ancient Pallava period rock cut cave temple dedicated to Varaha Perumal known as Thiruvalaventhai. The Lord provides darshan as Varaha Perumal with Akilavalli Thayar. The uniqueness of the temple is that usually Goddess Lakshmi is seated on the left lap, while in this temple Goddess is seen sitting on the right lap of the Lord. Hence the name ‘Vala venthai’ (Vala – right side).

The Sthalasayana perumal temple celebrates several festivals including the Avatara festival of Bhoothatazhwar during Aipasi (Oct–Nov), Maasi Magham and Vaikunta Ekadasi.

Some Temple Facts about Thirukkadalmallai

Dhivyadesam No.	63
Dhivyadesam Name	Thirukkadalmallai
Main Deity	Sthalasayana Perumal, Nilamangai Thayar
Location	Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu (Thondai Nadu)
Architecture Style	Dravidian Style
Temple Age	2000 years
Azwars who did Mangalasasanam	Bhoodhathazhwar, Thirumangaiazhwar
Divyaprabandam reference	Thiru K.thandagam – 2050, Thiru N.thandagam – 2060, S.Thirumadal – 2673, P. Thirumadal – 2674 Peri T. Mozhi: 1088-1107, 1195, 1551 (Thirumangai) Irandam. T. vandhathi – 2251 (Bhoodhathazhwar)
Unique Specialties	Unique temple where the Lord reclines on the floor. Birthplace of Bhoodhathu Azhwar
Prayers made for	Removal of sins. Those who are unable to pray at Sethukkarai (Rameswaram) can pray here instead.
Popular Events	Avatara festival of Bhoodhathazhwar (Oct – Nov) Masi Magam (Feb-Mar)

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