About the Temple & Location:
Legend
This sthalam, Thirukadalmallai is also called as “Mahabalipuram” and “Mamallapuram”. It is situated in Tamil Nadu. 40 kms away from Chennai and 7 miles from Thiruvidanthai.
A king by the name of Harikesarivarman used to visit the Nithyakalyana Perumal temple at Thiruvidandai every day from Mahabalipuram and wanted to settle there. Vishnu was pleased by his devotion and appeared as Sthalasayana Perumal at Mahabalipuram. As per Hindu legend, once sage Pundarika was performing penance worshiping Vishnu at this place. He collected Tamarasa flowers and submitted them to view Vishnu in Ksirabdhi Natha form, his posture in Tirupaarkadal. He collected 1,008 flowers and in his intensity, he scooped out water also in full. Vishnu came in disguise in the form of a sage and asked him for food. The sage went to acquire food for the old man, but while returning he found that Vishnu remained in the place. Since Vishnu stayed in this place, he was called Sthalasayana Perumal. The legend is sanctified by Bhoothatazhwar in his verses in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. As per another legend, sage Agastya is believed to have visited the temple and he came around the temple and prostrated before the presiding deity. As per divine intervention, he was advised to remain in Astavasramam in the northern part of Pundreeka Theertham (temple tank).
History
Sculptures on the wall of the temple
References to modern-day Mahabalipuram as a busy port are available in the works of Ptolemy from AD 140. There are many references to the place in Sangam Literature from the third century AD. The temple is referred to in the works of the seventh-century works of Bhoothath Azhwar and the eighth-century works of Thirumangai Azhwar. The port city came to prominence during the reign of Pallava kings Mahendravarman I and his son Narasimhavarman I after whom the city is named. The city was a famous port city during the reign of Medieval Cholas from the 9th century. There are inscriptions in the temple indicating grants of 1000 kulis during the 20th year of the reign of Ko-Parakesarivarman. The northern wall has inscriptions of Dalavay Thirumalanayaka giving grants of lands in Kunnatur village to the temple. There are various other inscriptions indicating grants to the temple from various villages. The inscriptions from Shore Temple indicate the grant of 2000 kulis of land to the temple during the reign of Rajendra I in the 11 century. There are similar inscriptions from Varaha Cave Temple about the grant of lands during the same reign. The temple also had expansions by Chola king Vikrama Chola (1118-35 CE) during 1120 CE. The earliest inscription from the temple is from the reign of Vikrama Chola (1118–1135 AD), but the inscription is damaged. Another inscription made during the reign of Kulothunga Chola II (1133–1150 AD) indicates a gift to meet the expenses for the recitation of Thirupalli Ezhuchi in the temple. There are inscriptions from Rajanrayana Sambuvaraya, the feudatory of Cholas. The inscriptions from the Telugu Choda dynasty during 1252 AD mention gifts to Brahmanas for the perpetual lighting of the temple. The inscription made during the reign of Pandyas in 1288 AD indicates a gift for the feeding house of the temple.
During the 14th century, the Vijayanagar king Parankusa shifted the temple to its current location away from the shore. He is believed to have built the four Mada streets around the temple. The Shore Temple located on the shore is believed to be the original shrine housing two images of Shiva on either side of the image of Vishnu. There are many land grants made during the rule of the Vijaynagar kings.
Architecture
The temple is located in Mahabalipuram, a historic town on the outskirts of Chennai. The temple is located close to Arjuna's Penance, the most famous landmark of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram. The temple is also believed to be the birthplace of Bhoothathazhwar, the 2nd Azhwar, the poet-saints of the 7th-9th centuries. The temple has a seven-tiered raja gopuram built during the 15th-16th centuries. The granite base of the entrance is studded with sculptures. There are two precincts inside the temple with the sanctum is located axial to the main gate and approached through a Dwajasthambam, Bali peetam (sacrificial altar), Deepa Stambam (altar for lamps), and Garuda Mandapam. The sanctum houses the image of Sthalasayana Perumal, the presiding deity, in a reclining posture. The image is sported with Ahvahanahasta, which indicates beckoning devotees to him. The image of Pundarika Maharishi is seen in a standing posture. The processional deity, namely Ulaguyyaninran, sported with four arms, is housed in the sanctum. There is an east-facing shrine to the right of the sanctum for Lakshmi, the consort of Perumal, in the form of Nilamangai Thayar. There are shrines for Andal, Lakshmi Narasimha, Bhuthathazhwar, Rama, and Azhwars in the first precinct around the sanctum. There is a shrine for Hanuman opposite the shrine of Rama. There is a four-pillared hall, with sculpted pillars in front of the temple, which was designed for Dolotsavam (swing festival). The temple tank is located outside the temple and is called Pundarika Pushkarani. It has a small pillared mandapa in its center.
Festivals and religious practices
Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam, Murukku are offered to Lord as Prasadam. Maasi Makham is an important festival. The Uthsava idol in the temple, known as "Ulaguyya Nindra Piran" along with His Consorts, and those of Valavendai Gnanapiran or Adivaraha and Sri Rama from nearby Padavedu temple, will be taken in procession to the seashore at Mahabalipuram where special Poojas will be performed and "Theerthavari" are offered. Bhoothatalwar's Avathara Utsavam is also an important festival. The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite community, a Brahmin sub-caste. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7 a.m., Kalasanthi at 8:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 p.m., Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m., Irandamkalam at 7:00 p.m. and Ardha Jamam at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offering), and deepa aradanai (waving of lamps) for both Sthalasayana Perumal and Nilamangai Thayar. During the last step of worship, nagaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the Vedas (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.
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 the recital of Periyathirumozhi of Thirumangai Azhwar, Kaithala Seva, a practice 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.
The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Azhwar and Bhoothathazhwar in one hymn each. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Thirumangai Azhwar considers the reclining form of Vishnu special as it is the only place where he reclines in the ground without his traditional snake Adiseshan.
Administration
The temple is one of the 32 Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram that are declared as UN world heritage sites, but unlike others that are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. ASI had a proposal to bring the maintenance of the temple under its jurisdiction in July 2012. Following a widespread protest by locals and shopkeepers, the proposal was dropped by the central ministry of Culture in September 2013.
Sthlapuranam :
It is said that Mahabali Chakravarthy ruled this sthalam and as per the varam he got from Vamaanar, one of the Incarnations (Avathaaram) taken by Sriman Narayanan, this sthalam is named “Mahabalipuram”. It is one of the said stories about this sthalam.
Pundareeka Maharishi started and maintained a big nandavanam (Flower park) here and wanted to dedicate all the Lotus flowers which flowers in this Madhavan to the divine feet of Emperumaan.
Once, he plucked all those Lotus flowers and put them in a basket, and started walking to Paramapadhanadhan in Thiruppaarkadal.,
But, he could not walk cross the sea, because of the huge waves of the sea. To make the sea dry, he started to clear the water through his hands. But, actually he could not do that and it is impossible for an ordinary person to do so.
At that time, Emperumaan came there as an old man and told him he is hungry and he wants some food to eat. Perumal said if he gives the food, he can also help him to make the water dry.
Hearing this, Pundareekar kept the basket which is full of Lotus at that place and went back to his house to get some food for the Perumal, who has come as an old man. When he came along with the food, he could not find the old man and found that there is no water in the sea. At the same time, he could find Emperumaan, wearing the Lotus flowers all along his body and shoulders and giving the Kidantha Kolam facing east direction on the empty floor.
As the Prarthanai (asking our needs to Perumal) of Pundareeka Maharishi, Emperumaan gave him the seva in this sthalam as seen in Paarkadal.
Near Moolavar, Pundareekar is present near the Lotus Feet of the Lord (Thiruvadi of the Perumal.)
Near to this sthalam, on traveling along the west direction of the lighthouse, we can find Aadhivaraga Murthy temple – Thiru Ida Vendhai.
Mahabalipuram is famous for its stone-carved statues and seashore. The specialty of the statues are shown to the world by all Pallava kings and the stone-carved statues tell how their thinking is.
The Krishna Mandapam where we can find an 8 feet Krishna and the Gopalan (Krishnan) getting the milk from a cow.
Statue which explains the tapas done by Arjunan.
Two big rocks in which full of shapes of Cat to Elephant, Devas, Munivas, Lord Shiva giving Pasupa Astharam, and a cat in the Kolam doing tapas and rats around it. These are the shapes that are beautifully seen in these two big rocks.
Panja Pandavar Mandapam, Govardhana Mandapam, Panja Pandavas Ratham (Chariot) and all done in one rock and lots more can be seen.
Specials:
This is the Avathara Sthalam of Bhoodathalwar. This Sthalam is full of Artistic work temple it is also called “Artha Sethu”.
This place is governed by Mahabali. According to the boon (Varam) got by Mahabali by Lord Vaamanar, the place is called” Mahabali Puram” – This is one of the old stories said about this sthalam.
Chitra Kara Puli – Mahendravarman’s Son Narasimha Varma Pallavan was popularly named “Mamallan”. Lots of the monumental and artistic works that are found are done by him and because of this, the place is called “Mamallapuram”.
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Perumal found in this sthalam is Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal. He is found in Kidantha kolam in bhujanga sayanam (sleeping) and facing his thirumugham towards the East direction along the sea.
On the right-hand side of his heart, Gnana Upadesh known as “Gnana Tamiz Purintha Naan” is found.
The Moolavar is Thiru Vala Vendhai Varaaga Moorthy on the west part of Kalangarai Vilakkam (light house) near the Cave Temple.
Utsavar – Sthala Sayana Perumal (Ula Kuyya Nindraan)
Thaayar
The Thaayar of this sthalam is Sri Nila Mangai Thayaar. She is found in a seperate sannadhi.
Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangai Alwar – 26 Pasuram
Botham Alwar – 1 Pasuram
Total – 27
Pushkarani:
There are Two Pushkaranies.
Pundareega Pushkarani.
Garuda Nadhi.
There are Two Pushkaranies.
Pundareega Pushkarani.
Garuda Nadhi.
Vimanam:
Thaganakruthi (Aanantha Vimanam)
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