Malai Mandala Perumal Temple (Girivardaraja Perumal Temple),
Sathurangapatnam, Kalpakkam, Kanchipuram
Malai Mandala
Perumal Temple (Also known as Girivardaraja Perumal Temple) is
dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu located at Sathurangapatnam Village near Kalpakkam
in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. Lord Varadar is seen in a walking posture
with his feet at the same level as the head of Garuda. It is a Prarthana
Sthalam for liberation from Sarpa Dosham.
Several
special features make this an interesting temple. It is located about 15 kms
South of Thiru Kadal Mallai Divya Desam and a couple of kms ahead of Kalpakkam
on the Thirukazhukundram-Kalpakkam SH 58. This Temple is located 0.5 km from
the Sadras fort. Presiding Deity is called as Giri Varadar in this temple.
History
The
temple is believed to have been built in the year 850 A D has a close link with
Vijayanagara history. The antiquity of the temple could be assessed from an
epigraphic detail on a stone at the Gopuram entrance. This Temple is believed
to be originally located on a hill; this place dates back to the period of
Vijayendra Chozha and was called Raja Narayana Patnam named after the minister
of the Chozha. Later, during the Vijayanagara rule, this came to be
referred to as Sathura - Vasam - Patnam, which in course of time became
Sathurangapatnam. While the Dutch referred to this place as ‘Sadras’, the name
‘Sathurangapatnam’ has come to stay.
This was
originally a Lakshmi Narayana temple. Later, with Varadaraja Perumal appearing
here as a Swayambu Murthy, Lakshmi Narayana is said to have given way for Lord
Varadaraja. Also the giant bell that used to be present at this temple can
now be found at a museum in China!! The first of the Azhvaars, Bhoothath
Azhvaar, is said to have stayed here and is seen in a Gnana Mudra Posture. The
temple was also visited by Lord Raghavendra who performed poojas here.
The
Temple
The
temple lacks a Rajagopuram is a minus. The temple is on a higher level
and the devotee has to reach the sanctum only through steps. It is noteworthy
that the crown of Lord and the Head of Garuda are on a straight line. This
beautiful old temple is basically a "mada" temple. As the temple is
on an upper level as a hill, Lord is praised as Malai (hill) Mandala Perumal.
Passing Garuda, Lakshmi Narayana and Mahalakshmi bless the devotees in the
front Mandapam. He was earlier the presiding deity of this temple.
Lord
Giri Varada Raja with Sridevi and Bhoodevi found from the ground during the
renovation of the temple was installed and consecrated as the presiding deity
of the temple later. Dwarapalakas (securities) are on both sides of the sanctum
sanctorum. As a rare feature, Lord Yoga Narasimha sculpture appears on
the step of the entrance side though as a tradition only Mother Gajalakshmi
occupies this place in Vishnu temples.
6 feet
tall Lord Girivardaraja Perumal with one step slightly forward as if readying
for the Gajendra Moksha appears majestically in the sanctum sanctorum
accompanied by Mothers Sridevi and Bhoodevi. His discus also is in a
ready-to-fly angle. Procession deities are nearby. Procession Mother also
graces with Perumal. Mother Mahalakshmi blesses the devotee from three places –
two on both sides of Lord Lakshmi Narayana and as Mother Perundevi. In
front of the main shrine the Bali peeta, flag staff and the small shrine of
Garuda are located.
Sri
Anjaneya in the sanctum sanctorum is an idol of Panchaloka (an alloy of five
metals) belonging to the Vijayanagara period. He appears with a bunch of
flowers against the tradition of being in worshipping posture with two hands
held together. Acharya Sri Raghavendra had rendered his services (Kainkarya)
to Lord in the temple. His Mruthika Brindavan is near the temple with his idol
also installed here. The Shrine of Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya is opposite to the
Brindavan.
A long
lamp post and the small shrine of Hanuman are located in front of the temple on
the road. The main entrance of the temple has the idols of Ganesha and Nagaraja
(snake God) on either side. There is a separate sub shrine within the main
shrine where a lot of Utsav idols (bronze idols) are placed. The temple has
only one prakara (corridor). The shrine of the Goddess Perundevi is located in
the prakara. There are also other shrines such as Vishnu Durga, Andal and
Alwars in the prakara.
Lord in 3 forms:
At this
temple, one finds Varadaraja Perumal in an East facing standing posture along
with Sri and Bhoo Devi. Lord Narayana is seen in a sitting posture with Goddess
Lakshmi on his lap. A special feature of Lakshmi Narayana is that it is made of
a single stone. Ranganatha is seen in a Sayana Kolam facing the South.
The
temple is the abode of Lord Vishnu in various forms:
Standing
/ Nindran:
This one
is that of Varadaraja Perumal standing at the main sanctum sanctorum. He
is accompanied by Sridevi and Bhoodevi. More interesting features of this God
are the Sanku or Conch is at a higher level compared to the Chakra or Disc. One
foot of the Lord is forward while the other foot remains slightly behind. Sridevi
is taller than Bhoomidevi
Sitting
/ Irundaan:
This one
is that of Lord Lakshmi Narayana with the Goddess sitting on his
lap. Legend has it that this was once his temple but he made way for Lord
Srinivasa who appeared by himself (Swayambu) What this means is that the
sculpture of Lord Srinivasa are not man made but appeared by itself with the
advent of time.
Lying
Down / Kidandhaan:
This one
is that of Lord Ranganatha in lying posture carved out of a
piece of stone.
Walking Posture of Varadaraja Perumal:
Lord
Varadar is seen almost in a walking posture with his right leg slightly ahead
of the left leg, reminding one of Gajendra Moksham. An interesting feature at
this temple is that feet of Lord Varadar is at the same level as the head of
Garuda, seen opposite the main Sannidhi, indicating the slightly raised
position of the sanctum. Bhoo Devi is seen slightly shorter in height than
Sridevi, an indication of her holding the pressures of the earth. Also, at this
temple, we find Bhoodevi looking and smiling at us rather than Sri Devi.
Special Lamp:
Just
next to the Lakshmi Narasimha is a special lamp on whose four sides is Garuda,
with a leg on the Peedam and another stamping a snake. Below the lamp at the
base are 6 parrots seen in a posture of holding the lamp. This deepa – lamp in
the temple is a treasure with all aesthetic beauty. People light this lamp
with ghee praying for all auspiciousness in life.
As the
divine order had it, this deepa was brought to this temple from the house of a
devotee in Chidambaram. Special pujas are dedicated to this lamp on the
Purattasi Shravana - Thiruvonam Star day in September-October.
Ashta Naga Garuda:
Sri
Garuda Bhagwan in the temple is praised as Ashta Naga Garuda, wearing 8
serpents – 1 in the head, two as ear rings in each ear, two on the chest as
garlands, one on each shoulder and one as a belt around the hip. It is
believed that worshipping Ashta Naga Garuda would relieve the devotee from all
doshas caused by serpent planets. Hence, this place is said to be a Prarthana
Sthalam for liberation from Naaga Sarpa Dosham.
Yoga Narasimha above the Dwarapalakas:
At the
entrance, one normally sees Lakshmi above the Dwarapalakas. But at this temple,
one finds Yoga Narasimha. On Pradosham days and Swathi star day, sweet milk is
first presented to Yoga Narasimha before serving to Lord Varadaraja Perumal.
Bhoothath Azhvaar’s presence here:
The
first of the Azhvaars, Bhoothath Azhvaar, is said to have stayed at this place.
He is seen in a Gnana Mudra Posture similar to the one at Thiru Kadal Mallai
Divya Desam.
400year old Inscription:
At the
main temple door, one finds an inscription, in Tamil and Telugu, dating back to
1603.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Festivals
Vaikunda
Ekadasi is grandly celebrated in the temple in December-January. Vaikunta
Ekadesi. On Maasi Magam, Lord leaves the temple for his only street Procession
of the year for a Theertha Vaari at the Sea. This entire festival is hosted by the
fishermen community.
Prayers
Devotess
pray here for removal of obstacles in marriage proposals, for child boon and
reunion of couples separated due to various reasons. Devotees perform
abisheks to Sri Garuda Bhagwan, light ghee lamps in His shrine offering a
pudding called Amirtha Kalasa Kozhukkattai.
Contact
Sri
Malai Mandala Perumal (Girivardaraja Perumal) Temple,
Chathuranga
Pattinam, Kalpakkam,
Kanchipuram
District
Phone: 044 27489064
Mobile: +91 – 95852 12797
Connectivity
Chathuranga
Pattinam (Sadras) is located near Kalpakkam is on the Chennai-Mamallapuram
road. Bus No. 108 from Chennai to Sathurangapatnam via Chengalpet and Bus
No. 118 from Chennai to Sathurangapatnam via ECR/Mahabalipuram. Nearest Railway
Station is located at Mathuranthagam and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.
From
Chengalpet, one can reach via Thirukazhukundram (about 28kms). By car, one
should drive 12 kms on the Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry highway and take a left at
the Vengambakkam Junction. Sathurangapatnam temple is 4 kms from this junction.
From Vengambakkam Four Road Junction, an auto will cost about Rs.40 to this
temple.
References