Presiding deity : Nithyakalyanar, Lakshmivaraha Perumal
Procession deity : Nithyakalayana Perumal
Mother Goddess: Komalavalli Thayar
Holy spring : Varaha Theertham – Kalyana Theertham
Speciality : In a standing position facing east
Vimanam (Tower) : Kalyana Vimanam
Sung by : Mangalasasanam by Thirumangai Azhwar
Place: Thiruvidandhai
District: Kancheepuram
Muni Markandeya had the Darshan of the Lord in this shrine.
History:
During the Thredha Yuga (the second of the four yugas – 1. Krutha ouga, 2, Thredha Yuga, 3. Dwapara Yuga and 4. Kali uga the present period) Bali, son of King Meganatha was ruling the state in a righteous way. Three demons Mali, Malyavan and Sumali approached Bali to help them in the war against the Devas (those belonging to celestial world), which Bali refused.
The three demons waged the war against Devas but were defeated. They approached Bali again for help and Bali obliged. The demons won this time. However, for having helped the demons, Bali acquired the sin called Brahmmahathi Dosha. Bali, to repent for the sin, came to Thiruvidanthai and performed penance on Lord. In recognition of his peanance, the Lord appeared before Bali and removed the evil effects of the dosha. The Lord gave Bali His darshan as a Varaha, the swine with a horn on the nose.
A marriage a day:
Sage Kuni and his daughter performed penance on Lord Narayana to reach heaven. Kuni succeeded but the daughter could not. Sage Narada told the girl that she could not reach the heaven as she was not married and begged the other Munis there to marry her. One Rishi Kalavarishi agreed and married. They delivered 360 female children. Kalavarishi performed penance on the Lord asking him to accept his daughters in marriage. Lord Narayana did not turn up.
One day there came a celebate youth. He told the Munis there that he was on a pilgrimage to Divyadesas and worship Lord Narayana. He looked very handsome as the Lord himself. Kalavarishi begged him to marry his daughters. He agreed and married one each day. On the last day, the youth disclosed his true form.
He was none other than Narayana in the form of Varahamurthy. The Lord amalgamated all the 360 brides and made them into one and gave her His left side. is darshan in the Lakshmi in chaste Tamil is called Thiru. Idam means place. Thiru-Idam means place of Lakshmi. This how the place derived the name Thiruvidaendhai which in course of time came to be known shortly as Thiruvidanthai.
Of the 108 Vaishnava shrines, it is here the Kalaya Utsavam (wedding festival) is celebrated each day. Girls facing problems in their marriage matters worship the Goddess for the early settlement of their marriage.
Great Vaishnava Acharya Manavala Mamuni and Thirumangai Azhwar had sung Mangalasasanam hyms on the shrine. The Nithyakalyana Perumal has a scar on his cheek. As the Goddess is one bearing on herself 360 brides, She is praised as Akhilavalli Nachiyar, the Queen of all worlds.. She is also known as Komalavalli Thayar (mother) representing the name of the first of the 360 daughters of Kalavarishi. The philosophy behind the temple is that all humans both men and women are but women only, Nayakis. The Lord alone is the Mahapursha the man. The Lord in the temple has one leg on earth, the other on Adisesha the snake bed holding Mother Akhilavalli on the left thigh in the form of Varahamurthy.
The shrine is noted for relief from the adverse effects of jealous visions, Rahu, Ketu and Sukra (Venus) planets.
Those desirous of visiting the temple should take the bus to Mamallapuram. Puducherry on the east coast and get down at the Thiruvidanthai stop. Nearest Railway Station is Chinglepet, airport Chennai. Temple contact No. 044-2747 2235.
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