Nilathingal Thundam Perumal
Temple, Kanchipuram – The Temple
Nilathingal
Thundam Perumal Temple is a small
shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located inside Ekambareswarar
Temple Complex. Lord Vishnu graces the devotee in Vamana Moorthy.
The shrine is praised in Nalayira Divya Prabandham and hence, considered as one
of the 108 Divya
Desams. The shrine is situated to the north east of
Ekambareswarar shrine within the inner prakara of the Ekambareswarar
temple. This Temple is the only temple of Lord
Vishnu where the poojas are done by the Saivite priests.
Presiding Deity is called as Nilathingal
Thundathan / Chandra Chooda Perumal. He is in standing posture with Sapthagnaga.
This shrine faces West, while the Ekambareswarar
shrine faces the East. As Lord was cured by Lord Shiva, pujas to
Perumal are performed in accordance with Saivite codes. To reduce
the excessive heat in his body, perfumed oil is applied instead of
abisheks.
Mother is called as Ner Oruvar
Illavalli Nachiyar / Nilathingal Thunda Thaayar. As he came alone here for a
remedy, there is no shrine for Mother. However, Mother Mahalakshmi
is worshipped in a formless manner (Ner Uru Illa Thai – Mother without a form
as she is believed merged with the Lord). There is no separate shrine for the
consort of Lord Vishnu, neither there is any separate festival image.
Mother Mahalakshmi has her abode
in the heart of Lord Vishnu on the left. Here, she graces the
devotee from the naval chord lotus of the Lord generally belonging to Lord
Brahma. The Vimanam (tower above the sanctum sanctorum) of Nilathingal
Thundathan Perumal Temple is called as Purusha Suktha Vimanam. The
Pushkarini (temple tank) of this
Temple is called as Chandra Pushkarini.
