Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Thirukadalmalai/Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram is 40km away from Chennai and 7 miles from Thiruvidanthai/Thiruvidaventhai. This is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu built during 14th century by the Pallava Kings.
Mahabalipuram is famous for its stone carving existing from the date back to Pallava dynasty also known as ‘Ardha Sethu’. The most outstanding stone carvings of Lord Krishna, Arjuna’s penance for obtaining Pasupathastra from Lord Shiva, deities and sages, place of Lord Brahma’s worship taken place, Pancha Padava Mandapam, Govardhana Mandapam and chariot of Pancha Padava etc.. are visual treat for the eyes.
Mahabalipuram is the birth place of Boothathalwar who was one of the imperative amongst 12 Vaishnavaite saints. The legend has that this sacred land was offered to King Mahabali at the instruction of Lord Vishnu when he was incarnated as Lord Vamana, one of the 22 incarations of Lord Vishnu. Thus, the sacred land has got its name ‘Mahabalipuram’. There were one more reasons for this land has got its name ‘Mamallapuram’. The great intellectual and son of King Mahendravarman of Pallava Dynasty, he was known by the name ‘Mamallan’ who was authentically artistic, provided abundance of contributions in the form of monuments and sculptures in this land.
Presiding deity – Utsavar Sri Sthlasayana Perumal/Ulakuyya Nindran with his consort Sri Nilamangai Thayar.
Vimanam – Aanantha Vimanam
Sannidhi – Sri Nilamangai Thayar, Sage Pundareeka, Lord Rama, Lord Narasimha
Mangalasasanam – Thirumangai Alwar and Boothathalwar were sung praising the glories of Lord in beautiful verses.
Theertham – Pundareeka Pushkarani and Garuda Theertham
Festivals – Panguni Uthram, Avani sathayam Utsavam, Chithirai Brahmostavam, Boothathalwar Thiruavathara Utsavam, Masi Magam, Theerthavari Utsavam, Pavithrotsavam
Prathyaksham to – Sage Pundareeka, King Mahabali
The legend has that Sage Pundareeka constructed a Vrindavan (Garden) full of various types of flowers of alluring fragrances in this sacred land and maintained it very well. He made a practice of offering the enchanting flowers at the Lotus feet of Sriman Narayana. He desired to envision Lord Vishnu in his Abode ‘Thiruparkadal’ (Milky Ocean), he picked a basket full of flowers of alluring fragrances and walked through the length of roaring sea. He was miserable at the thought of crossing the vast ocean and his craving for visualizing Lord in his Abode made him deeply distraught. At this moment, he sincerely prayed to Lord. There appeared a poor old Brahmin before him and revealed his pathetic state, he was tired of hunger and thirst and begged for food. The Brahmin also promised that he would do whatever possible helps, if the Sage provides him with food to wave off his hunger. Sage Pundareeka hurriedly kept his flower basket on the ground and hastily walked to his hermitage. Shortly, he returned with food for the old Brahmin. To his surprise, he could not see the old Brahmin nowhere; there was no water in the place of ocean and in its place Sage Pundareeka could visualize Lord Vishnu in reclining posture facing East with those alluring flowers adorned his chest. Sage Pundareeka earnestly prayed to Lord to remain perpetually in this sacred land and give dharshan to his devotees.
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
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