Thirukadalmalai

ThiruKadalmallai
Sthala sayana Perumal Temple

Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple

Thirukadalmallai is one of the 108 divyadesams situated on the Chennai suburbs,in Mahabalipuram ( a world famous heritage site) which is about 60 kms from Chennai.The temple is one of the 32 Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram that are declared as UN world heritage sites,maintained by the Archeological Survey of India, and the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Tamil Nadu government.

As per legend,Sage Pundareeka was performing penance here. He saw beautiful lotus flowers in a tank nearby and wanted them to be placed at the feet of Lord Narayana in Tiruparkadal (in the Heavenly abode where no mortal can reach). So obsessed with the thought of offering the lotus flowers to Lord Narayana at Thiruparkadal, he collected 1008 flowers and he started wading through through the sea water he began scooping out the water to dry the sea by removing the water chanting Narayana,Narayana.His mind was completely set on offering the flowers to the Lord before they wilted.

Lord Narayana appeared before him as an old fragile man.The old man asked sage Pundareeka for food. The old man also said that the sage being a fool to try to drain the water by his hands to reach the Lord in Thiruparkadal. Pundareeka said that he will not rest till he offered the flowers to Lord Narayana, and he asked the old man to hold his flower basket and wait there till he brought food. Pundareeka went to his home nearby to bring food for the old man. By the time he returned, Lord wore all the flowers as a garland and was resting in a reclining posture, thus giving Pundareeka darshan as seen in Thiruparkadal and accepting the flowers as Pundareeka wished.

The temple stands on the shore of Mahabalipuram. It is a small temple with two Shrines for Lord Sthalasayana Perumal and Nilamangai Thayaar.The architecture depicts the pallava style. This shrine was built by Pallava kings. This place is said to be the birth place of Boothathazhwar whose shrine is seen near the temple tank opposite to the temple.

The moolavar is seen in a reclined position in the temple on the floor itself, with his consort Laksmi on his right and the sage Pundareeka near his feet. It is said that the devotees worshipping this Sthala Sayana Perumal is equivalent to worshipping the Lord in His Vaikundam itself.

Prathyaksham for Pundareeka maharishi.

Thayaar in this sthalam is Nilamangai thayaar with a seperate shrine.

Pushkarani(holy tank) of this place is Pundareeka pushkarani and Garudanadhi.

Mangalasasanams The temple is revered by the verses of Boodathazhwar and Tirumangai azhwar

Temple location is in the shores of Mahabalipuram

Temple Timings The temple is open from 6:00 AM till 12:00 noon and from 3:00 pm till 8:30 pm

How to reach?
This place is around 60 kms from Chennai and can be easily accessed by local buses

If you are driving, you can drive by East Coast Road (ECR) whic is a scenic route and you can reach in an hour and half. ( this road has some tolls)

Where to Stay? There are many star hotels in Chennai, and many beach resorts,deluxe and semi deluxe hotels in Mahabalipuram itself.

Places nearby Mahabalipuram is a world famous heritage site thronged by tourists around the world. Apart from this temple there is a temple for Adi Varaha, known as Valavendai, and artistic shore temples such as Pancha Pandavas Radham,Bakiradhan Penance,Govarthana Mandap and other beutiful artistic rock carvings and temples at the shore.

ContactSri Sthalasayana Perumal Temple – Tirukadal Mallai (Mahabalipuram), Phone +91- 44-2744 3245.

Useful data
State:Tamil Nadu
District: Chennai
Languages:Tamil, English
Best Season: Throughout the year.
Weather: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very sultry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level