108 Divyadesams – Thiruvidaventhai / Thiruvidanthai !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!






This is one of 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located in a village called Thiruvidanthai/Thiruvidaventhai situated in Mahabalipuram which is 40 km away from Chennai. This is one of the oldest temples built during the period of 10th to 16th century under the patronage of Pallava Kings, Cholas, Udaiyars and others.  King Raja Raja Choza and King Vijaya Rajendra Choza also made abundance of contributions to this temple.  The place in which the temple situated is also known by the name Nitya Kalyana Puri, Sri Puri and Varaha Puri.


The legend has that Sage Kalava was anxiously prayed to Lord Sriman Narayana to find a suitable bridegroom for his 360 daughters.  The most compassionate Lord answered the prayers of the Sage and married his 360 daughter each day throughout the year.  Lord Narayana appeared as a handsome bridegroom before Sage Kalava and received his honor on daily basis.  He also married his daughter and disappeared into the sanctum.  This practice continued for a whole year, the Rishi couple was very distressed to find their daughters and son-in-laws vanishes in the Sanctum Sanctorum.    Finally at the end of 360th day, Lord gave dharshan to Sage in his remarkable appearance with all the 360 daughters of him merged into an exceptionally conspicuous bride Goddess Akilavalli Nachiyar.  This is the only one divya desam where Lord can be seen in his bridal attaire all through the year and Kalyana Utsavam performed on all days. Thus, Lord Sriman Narayana the presiding deity of this temple known by the name ‘Nitya Kalyana Perumal’. 


Presiding deity – Utsavar -Sri Nitya Kalyana Perumal with his consort Goddess Komala Valli Nachiyar, Moolavar – Adi Varaha Perumal with his consort Goddess Akilavalli Nachiyar/Komala Valli Nachiyar

Mangalasasanam – Thirumangai Alwar, Manavala Mamunigal

Festivals – Panguni Uthram, Vaikundha Ekadashi, Chithirai Brahmostavam, Garuda Sevai in the Tamil month Aani, Aadi, Masi and Thai.

Sannidhis – Sri Andal, Lord Ranganatha, Goddess Ranganayaki and a separate shrine for Komala Valli Nachiyar

Pratyaksham to – Sage Markandeya and King Mahabali

The demon King Mahabali – Grandson of Prahalada lived in Tretha Yuga.  Though he was a demon by birth, he was a righteous King wisely ruled his Kingdom for several years.  His proficiency was known widely, at this point of time the demon Kings Mali, Sumali and Malayavan came forward to meet King Mahabali with a request to lead them in a battle against the deities.  As mentioned earlier, King Mahabali was a virtous ruler scrutinized the situation and found that it was redundant to have a battle with the deities and persuaded Mali, Sumali and Malayavan not to proclaim a war against deities. But the three demons were not prepared to withdraw from their challenge; they entered in a battle with the deities and had to face dreadful failure.  The demons were not ready to accept their failures that easily, they once again approached King Mahabali with a request to fight against the deities.  This time, King Mahabali had no other way to turn down the request of the demons and agreed to enter in a battle with the deities.  The mighty force of demon and deities entered in a ferocious battle.  Finally, the powerful force of demon King Mahabali won over the deities.  Soon King Mahabali was afflicted with the sin of Brahmahathya (Killing Brahmin) and lost his mental and physicall well-being.  He arrived in Varahapuri/Thiruvadanthai and underwent severe penance praying to Lord Vishnu.  The most pleased Lord appeared before him as a Swetha Varaha and blessed him.  Thus, King Mahabali got rid of his Brahmahathya sins and built a temple of Lord Vishnu on this place to worship.  Later this temple came to known as Adi Varaha Kshetram, Varaha Puri and Sripuri.


This temple remains open from 6.00 AM to 12.00 PM in the morning and 3.00PM to 8.00 PM in the evening.


Jai Sriman Narayana !!


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