Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple, Thiruvidanthai

Introduction

Nithya Kalyana Perumal temple is a famous shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is also an important Divya Desam, the chosen abode of the Lord that has been glorified in the Azhwar saints' verses. This temple is situated in a place called Thiruvidanthai on the East Coast Road, about 40 kilometers from Chennai city. Varaha, the wild boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is the principal Lord here, whose idol is believed to be a Suyambu, that is self-manifested, which emerged while digging the earth. The presiding deity is known as Nithya Kalayaa Perumal, the Lord who marries daily and the Goddess, Komalavalli Thayar. Devotees, especially those looking for early marriage or a suitable life partner, worship in large numbers in this temple.

Temple Legends

As per the legends, once the Dvarapalakas, the gatekeepers of the Vaikuntam abode of Lord Vishnu were cursed, and were born as demon brothers Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. By doing severe penance and receiving remarkable boons, they became mighty and began harassing all the worlds. Thanks to the boon, the elder Hiranyaksha could not be killed by any living being, but he is said to have failed to include the wild boar in the list of beings. With immense power at his command, Hiranyaksha abducted Bhoomadevi, the mother earth, and hid her at the bed of the great ocean. Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Varaha, the wild boar, fought a fierce battle with the demon, destroyed him in the end, and rescued the Goddess from his clutches. Varaha is said to have taken Bhoomidevi on this lap and married her, here. It is also said that he married all the 360 daughters of sage Kalava, in the course of a year. Thus, the Lord, who entered into wedlock daily, came to be hailed as Nithya Kalyana Perumal.

The History and Architecture of Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple, Thiruvidanthai

This is a beautiful temple located right on the East Coast, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. This was originally built by the Pallavas in the 7th century CE, and the Cholas added to the temple structure later. This temple, without a Rajagopuram, the entrance tower, is fenced by a granite wall, and its Pushkarani, the temple tank called Kalyana Theertham, is outside the compound. Lord Varaha can be worshipped as Nithya Kalyana Perumal in the sanctum sanctorum, holding Bhoomadevi on his lap. This Lord stands almost 7 feet tall and looks majestic. The tower above the main shrine is called Kalyana Vimanam. There is a separate shrine for Goddess Komalavalli. The pillared hall in the temple contains intricate carvings, while the many inscriptions found on the granite walls throw light on the temple's ancient history. Other Gods and deities like Ranganatha, Ranganayaki, and Garuda also have their shrines here.

Temple Festivals

The annual Brahmotsavam is celebrated during Chittirai (April-May) when the festival deities are taken in grand processions around the streets of the temple. Vaikunta Ekadasi observed during Margazhi (December-January) is also among the other important festivals of this temple.

Benefits of worshipping Nithya Kalyana Perumal

The Lord here is well known for granting the marriage boon, and hence this temple can be said to be virtually dedicated to people looking for early marriage or a suitable life partner. Therefore, a large number of those who want to get married to the right partners or whose marriages are getting delayed come to pray and seek divine blessings here. They usually offer garlands to the principal deity, then get it back as Prasad, wear it, and circumambulate the temple, nine times. Once their wish is fulfilled and the marriage takes place successfully, they come back as couples and pay their respects to the Lord. People also pray in this temple for relief from the adverse effects of snake planets Rahu and Ketu, and evil looks, and even for marital harmony and progeny blessing.