Thirukadalmallai

The Sthalasayana Perumal Temple is at Mahabalipuram. The Temple resides as the first and foremost of Mahabalipuram sculputres. It is one of the 108 Divya desam.

The temple

The temple stands on the shore and it was built along with the other sculptures. It is a small temple with two major Shrines for Lord Sthalasayana Perumal and Nilamangai Thayaar. This is the avatrasthalam(Birthplace) of Bhoothathazhwar, the 2nd Azhwar. There is also a separate shrine for Lord Narasimha. The architecture depicts the pallava style. This shrine was built by Pallava kings. Bhoothathazhwar was found in a tank that is opposite to the temple.

Legend

Sage Pundareeka was worshipping Lord Vishnu with Lotus flowers. Once the Sage Pundareeka started piling water from the ocean in order to get the divine vision of Lord Vishnu. Seeing his devotion, Lord Vishnu came in guise as an old man and asked for food. The Sage went to get food for the old man. When he returned he found Lord Vishnu in an Ananthasayana posture and wearing the lotus flowers which was offered by the sage. He then realised that it is Lord himself had come in disguise to bless the devotee.

ri Sthalasayana Perumal Mahatyam

Lord Sthalasayana Perumal had come personally to fulfill his devotees wishes.

Prasadam

Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, Vada, Adhirasam, Murukku are offered to Lord as Prasadam.

Darshan, Sevas and Festivals

Maasi Makham is an important festival.

Composers

Thirumangai Alvar, Bhoothathalvar have composed beautiful Paasurams on Lord Sthalasayana Perumal and his consort Nilamangai Thayaar. It is one of the compositions in Naalayira Divya Prabandha.

Easy Paasuram to Learn (Tamil)

"Thamarullam Thancai Thalaiyarangam Thankaal"

"Thamarullum Thanporuppu velai Thamarullum"

"Maamallai Koval Mathitkudanthai Yenbare"

"Evalla Enthaik Kidam!"

'Boodathaazhwar""'

Travel and Stay

There are many lodges at Mahabalipuram and Chennai. Lots of buses are easily available from Chennai. It is considered to be a great tourist destination and people visit the place from all over the world.

List of Other Temples to Visit

Shiva Temples
* Kapaleeswarar Temple
* Marundeeswarar Temple
* Velliswarar Temple
* Thyagaraja Swamy Udanurai
* Udanurai Vadivudaiamman Temple
* Kalikambal Temple
* Kanchipuram Temples
* Kalahasti
* Aabathsahayeswarar Temple
* Adi Parasakthi Temple
* Agastheeswarar Temple
* Apparswamy Temple
* Shiva Vishnu Temple

Vishnu Temples
* [Thiruvalavendhai / Aadi Varaaha Swaami Sannidhi] [http://www.kadalmallai.info] , Thirukadalmallai
* Srinivasar Temple
* Kesavar Temple
* Madhavar Temple
* Thiruvidandai Lakshmi VarahaSwamy Temple
* AshtaLakshmi Temple
* Thiruneermalai
* Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane
* Tirumala Temples
* Tirupathi Templs
* Ananta Padmanabhaswamy Temple
* Bakthavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur
* Thirukkadigai, Sholingapuram
* Thiruevvul, Thiruvallur Veeraraghava Perumal

References

* [http://indian-heritage.org/temple/ About Thirukadalmallai]

External links

* [http://www.indiantemples.com/Tamilnadu/df063.html About Sthalasayana Perumal Temple]

* [http://www.divyadesamonline.com/hindu/temples/mahabalipuram/tirukadalmalai-temple.asp DivyaDesam]