Tamilnadu Tourism: Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple, Thiruvidandai, Kanchipuram

Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple, Thiruvidandai, Kanchipuram

Nithyakalyana Perumal temple in Thiruvidandai, a village in Kanchipuram district of the South Indian state of Tamilnadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Divya Prabandha, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Azhwar saints from the 6th–9th centuries AD. It is one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Nithyakalyana Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Komalavalli Thayar. The original structure of the temple was built by the Pallavas during the 7th century CE, with later additions from the Cholas during the 11th century.

A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple tank is located opposite to the temple, outside the main entrance. The temple follows Thenkalai tradition of worship. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Chittirai Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Chittirai (during April - May), and Vaikuntha Ekadashi during Margazhi (December - January) being the most prominent. Thiruvidandai suburban village located in South Chennai, about 19 Kms south of Thiruvanmiyur near Chennai in the Indian state of Tamilnadu.

Thiruvidanthai is located on the Chennai - Kovalam road on the way to Mahabalipuram. The village derives its name from the Nithyakalyana Perumal temple and its history is centered on the temple. Sage Markandeya and King Mahabali visited the kshetram. Of the celebrated 108 Divya Desas of Lord Vishnu, this is the only temple, where, the Wedding Festival is celebrated throughout the year – all the 365 days of the year. Women facing delays in their wedding are advised to pray to Mother in the temple.

Thiruvidandhai is located about 40 kms from Chennai on the East Coast Road (ECR) before Mahabalipuram. While going from Chennai, one can see a big arch on the right side of the road, indicating the temple. This temple is one of the DhivyaDesams of Lord Vishnu. Sri Manavaala Maamuni and Sri Thirumangai Aazhwar (8th Century) have sung Mangalasasanams on the Lord here. This sthalam is called as "Asurakaala Nalloor". The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.