Thiruvidanthai : Gateways of Mukthi – Temples of India

Introduction

Nithyakalyana Perumal temple is in Thiruvidanthai, Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to the Varaha form (the boar) of Lord Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, it is one of the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandham written by the Vaishnavaite Azhwars. The main deity of this temple is Nithyakalyana Perumal (Varaha) and his consort is Komalavalli Thayar. The original temple was built by the Pallavas during the 7th century CE, with later additions from the Cholas during the 11th century.

Legend

As per legend, Lord Vishnu’s gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by the Sanatkumara sages for mocking them. As a result, they were born on earth as demons Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. The elder brother Hiranyaksha performed a severe penance and received immense powers from Lord Brahma. As a result, he captured Bhoomadevi (embodiment of ‘Mother Earth’) and took her to the bottom of the ocean. Troubled by this, the celestials prayed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu then took the Varaha form and with his powerful tusks, lifted the earth and restored her to her original position. He also fought with the demon and killed him. Finally the Lord picked Bhoomadevi and placed her on his lap.

In the mean time, Sage Kalava is blessed with 360 daughters. On seeing the Lord in this form, sage Kalava prayed to the Lord to marry all his daughters. Acceding to his request, Lord Varaha married all his 360 daughters one per day for a whole year. Since he is in his wedding attire on all days of the year, he came to be known as ‘Nithyakalyana Perumal’ (The Lord who marries daily).  Sage Markandeya worshipped this deity.

Deities

Thiruvidanthai Temple is situated near the sea. The temple tank known as Kalyana Theertham is present in front of the temple. The idol of Nithyakalyana Perumal in Varaha form having Bhoomadevi on his lap, is housed in the sanctum. The Lord is in a unique standing posture facing East. While one leg is on the ground, the other is on Adhishesha. A shrine of Lord Ranganatha and Ranganayaki is located near the sanctum. The North-West corner of the temple houses the shrine of Komalavalli Thayar, the consort of the Lord. The shrine of Andal is located to the left of the sanctum. There are numerous inscriptions on the walls around the assembly and the prayer hall.

Praise

This temple is revered by Thirumangai Azhwar as part of his works in Divya Prabhandham where he has glorified the powers of Komalavalli Thayar as well. The temple also finds mention in later works by other Vaishnavite Acharyas such as Nathamunigal, Thirukachchi Nambi, Ramanujar and Manavala Mamunigal.

Significance

As the Lord appears with the Goddess on his left side, this shrine came to be known as Thiru-Idanthai (Thiru-Goddess, Idanthai-left side), which became ThiruVidanthai. Since the Lord got married here everyday of the year, it is believed to be a very auspicious temple relating to weddings. This place is considered to dispel problems arising due to Rahu and Kethu (Rahu-kethu dosha nivarthi sthalam). It is believed that unmarried people will immediately find their life partner if they offer their prayers here. A common practice here is to offer garlands to the presiding deity, wearing it and circumambulating the temple nine times. Once the marriage is over, the couples visit the temple again and place the garland over the ‘Punnai‘ tree, the designated tree (sthala vriksham) of the temple.

Festivals

Many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Chittirai Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Chittirai (during April–May), and Vaikuntha Ekadashi during Margazhi (December–January) are popular. During the month of Panguni (March-April), a 9-day festival “Panguni Uththiram” is celebrated. The annual festival, Thaipusam, is celebrated with much pomp and splendour in the month of Thai (January-February). The deity is taken on a procession in an ivory palanquin carved with the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Thiruvidanthai Temple facts

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Dhivyadesam No.	62
Dhivyadesam Name	Thiruvidanthai
Main Deity	Nithyakalyana Perumal, Komalavalli
Location	Thiruvidanthai,  Tamil Nadu (Thondai Nadu)
Architecture Style	Dravidian Style
Temple Age	1000 – 2000 years
Azwars who did Mangalasasanam	Thirumangai Azhwar
Divyaprabandam reference	Peri. T. mozhi – 1021, 1108-1117 Siriya T. madal – 2673 Peria T. madal – 2674 (Thirumangai Azhwar)
Unique Specialties	Temple with an ivory Palanguin Unique posture of Lord Varaha
Prayers made for	Removal of obstacles on marriages
Popular Events	Thaipusam (Jan-Feb) Panguni Uthiram (Mar-Apr) Chittirai Brahmotsavam (Apr – May)