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{{Short description|Perumal temple in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name = Sthalasayana Perumal Temple
| image = Thirukadalmallai (3).jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Tamil Nadu
| map_caption = Location in [[Tamil Nadu]]
| coordinates = {{coord|12|37|0|N|80|11|55|E|type:landmark_region:IN-TN|display=inline,title}}
| native_name = Thirukadalmallai
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| district = [[Chengalpattu district |Chengalpattu]]
| location = [[Mahabalipuram]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Sri Sthalasayana Perumal
Nilamangai Thayaar
| facade_direction =
| temple_tank = Pundarika Pushkarni
| tower = GaganaKriti Vimanam
| festivals =
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity =
| inscriptions =
| year_completed =
| creator =
| website =
|religious_affiliation=}}

'''Sthalasayana Perumal Temple,''' (also called '''Thirukadalmallai''') is at [[Mahabalipuram]]. Constructed in the [[Tamil architecture|Pallavan style of architecture]], the temple is glorified in the ''[[Divya Prabandha|Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]'', the early medieval [[Tamil literature|Tamil]] canon of the [[Alvars|Alvar]] saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 ''[[Divyadesam|Divya Desam]]'' dedicated to [[Vishnu]], who is worshipped as Sthalasayana Perumal and his consort [[Lakshmi]] as Nilamangai Thayar. The temple is believed to have been built by the [[Pallavas]], with later contributions from the [[Medieval Cholas]], [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagara kings]], and [[Madurai Nayaks]].

The temple is believed to be the birthplace of the Vaishnava Alvar saint [[Bhoothathalvar]]. Sthalasayana Perumal is believed to have appeared to sage Pundarika. The temple is open from 6 am to 12 pm, and from 3pm to 8:30 pm. Six daily rituals and a dozen yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Bhoothath Alvar Avata festival, celebrated during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil]] month of ''Aipasi'' (October–November), being is the most prominent. The temple is one of the 32 Group of [[Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram|Monuments at Mahabalipuram]] that are declared as UN world heritage sites, but unlike others that are maintained by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]], the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]].

==Legend==
[[File:Thirukadalmallai (12).jpg|250px|left|Thirukadalmallai temple|thumb]]
As per Hindu legend, once sage Pundarika was performing penance worshiping Vishnu at this place. He collected Tamarasa flowers and submitted it to view Vishnu in Ksirabdhi Natha form, his posture in [[Ocean of milk]]. He collected 1,008 flowers and in his intensity, he scooped out water also in full. Vishnu came in disguise in the form of sage and asked him for food. The sage went to acquire food for the old man, but while returning he found that Vishnu remained in the place. Since Vishnu stayed in this place, he was called Sthalasayana Perumal.<ref name=R1>[[#R.|R. 2001]], pp. 454-5</ref><ref name=hindu/> The legend is sanctified by Bhoothath Alvar in his verses in ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabandham|Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Acme of devotion|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/acme-of-devotion/article1375798.ece|publisher=The Hindu|location=Chennai|date=14 November 2008|access-date=19 October 2014}}</ref> As per another legend, sage [[Agastya]] is believed to have visited the temple and he came around the temple and prostrated before the presiding deity. As per divine intervention, he was advised to remain in Astavasramam in the northern part of Pundreeka Theertham (temple tank).<ref>[[#Ramesh|Ramesh 1993]], p. 161</ref>

As per another legend, a king by name Harikesarivarman used to visit the [[Nithyakalyana Perumal temple]] at [[Thiruvidandai]] everyday from [[Mahabalipuram]] and wanted to settle there. Vishnu was pleased by his devotion and appeared as Sthalasayana Perumal at Mahabalipuram.<ref name=R2>[[#R.|R. 2001]], pp. 449-51</ref>

==History==
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|image1=Thirukadalmallai (13).jpg
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|footer=Sculptures on the wall of the temple
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References to modern day Mahabalipuram as a busy port is available in the works of [[Ptolemy]] from CE 140. There are many references to the place from [[Sangam Literature]] from third century CE. The temple is referred in the works of seventh century works of [[Bhoothath Azhwar|Bhoothath Alvar]] and eighth century works of [[Thirumangai Azhwar|Thirumangai Alvar]]. The port city came to prominence during the reign of [[Pallava]] kings [[Mahendravarman I]] and his son [[Narasimhavarman I]] after whom the city is named. The city was a famous port city during the reign of [[Medieval Cholas]] from the 9th century. There are inscriptions in the temple indicating grants of 1000 ''kulis'' during the 20th year of reign of Ko-Parakesarivarman. The northern wall has inscriptions of Dalavay Thirumalanayaka giving grants of lands in Kunnatur village to the temple. There are various other inscriptions indicating grants to the temple from various villages. The inscriptions from [[Shore Temple]] indicates grant of 2000 ''kulis'' of land to the temple during the reign of [[Rajendra I]] during the 11 century. There are similar inscriptions from [[Varaha Cave Temple]] about grant of lands during the same reign.<ref>[[#Ramesh|Ramesh 1993]], p. 162-3</ref> The temple also had expansions by Chola king [[Vikrama Chola]] (1118-35 CE) during 1120 CE.<ref name=hindu2/> The earliest inscription from the temple is from the reign of [[Vikrama Chola]] (1118–1135 CE), but the inscription is damaged. Another inscription made during the reign of [[Kulothunga Chola II]] (1133–1150 CE) indicates gift to meet the expenses towards recitation of ''Thirupalli Ezhuchi'' in the temple. There are inscriptions from Rajanrayana Sambuvaraya, the feudatory of Cholas. The inscriptions from Telugu Choda dynasty during 1252 CE mentions gifts to Brahmanas for the perpetual lighting of the temple. The inscription made during the reign of [[Pandyas]] during 1288 CE indicates gift for the feeding house of the temple.<ref name=Madhavan/>

During the 14th century, the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara king]] Parankusa shifted the temple to its current location away from the shore. He is believed to have built the four Mada streets around the temple.<ref name=hindu/><ref name=Malla>{{cite book|title=Mahabalipuram|publisher=The Archaeological Survey of India, Government of India|year=2004|isbn=|location=New Delhi|last=C.|first=Sivaramamurthi|page=30|ref=Malla}}</ref> The [[Shore Temple]] located on the shore is believed to be the original shrine housing two images of Shiva on either side of the image of Vishnu.<ref name=Madhavan>{{cite book|title=Vishnu temples of South India, Volume 4, Tamil Nadu|isbn=978-81-908445-3-6|first=Chithra|last=Madhavan|publisher=Alpha Land Published Pvt. Limited|year=2014|edition=1st|pages=23–32}}</ref> There are many land grants made during the rule of the Vijayanagara kings.<ref name=Madhavan/>
[[File:Thirukadalmallai Panorama.jpg|600px|thumb|center|Panoramic view of the temple]]

==Architecture==
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=
| total_width = 400
|height=200
|image1=Thirukadalmallai (9).jpg
|height1=3096
|width1=4128
|image2=Thirukadalmallai (10).jpg
|footer=The entrance of the temple
|height2=3096
|width2=4128
}}
The temple is located in [[Mahabalipuram]], a historic town on the outskirts of [[Chennai]]. The temple is located close to [[Arjuna's Penance]],<ref name=Malla/> the most famous landmark of the [[Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram]]. The temple is also believed to be the birthplace of [[Bhoothathazhwar|Bhoothath Alvar]], the 2nd [[Azhwar|Alvar]], the poet saints of 7th-9th centuries. The temple has a seven tiered ''raja[[gopuram]]'' built during 15-16th century. The granite base of the entrance is studded with sculptures. There are two precincts inside the temple with the sanctum is located axial to the main gate and approached through a ''Dvajasthambam'', ''bali peetam'' (sacrificial altar), ''Deepa Stambam'' (altar for lamps) and Garuda Mandapam. The sanctum houses the image of Sthalasayana Perumal, the presiding deity, in reclining posture. The image is sported with Ahvahanahasta, which indicates beckoning devotees to him. The image of Pundarika Maharishi is seen in standing posture. The processional deity, namely Ulaguyyaninran, sported with four arms, is housed in the sanctum. There is an east facing shrine to the right of sanctum for [[Lakshmi]], the consort of Perumal, in the form of Nilamangai Thayar. There are shrines for [[Andal]], [[Lakshmi Narasimha]], Bhoothath Alvar, Rama, and Alvars in the first precinct around the sanctum. There is a shrine for [[Hanuman]] opposite to the shrine of Rama. There is a four pillared hall, with sculpted pillars in front of the temple, was designed for Dolotsavam (swing festival). The temple tank is located outside the temple and is called Pundarika Pushkarani. It has a small pillared mandapa in its centre.<ref name=Madhavan/>

==Festivals and religious practices==
[[File:Thirukadalmallai (18).jpg|200x200px|Image of Bhoothath Alvar shrine|thumb]]
The temple follows the traditions of the [[Tenkalai]] sect of Vaishnavite tradition and follows the ''Vaikanasa Agama''. The temple priests perform the ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavaite]] community, of the Brahmin varna. The temple rituals are performed six times a day: ''Ushathkalam'' at 7 a.m., ''Kalasanthi'' at 8:00 a.m., ''Uchikalam'' at 12:00 p.m., ''Sayarakshai'' at 6:00 p.m., ''Irandamkalam'' at 7:00 p.m. and ''Ardha Jamam'' at 10:00 p.m. Each ritual has three steps: ''alangaram'' (decoration), ''neivethanam'' (food offering) and ''deepa aradanai'' (waving of lamps) for both Sthalasayana Perumal and Nilamangai Thayar. During the last step of worship, ''[[nagaswaram]]'' (pipe instrument) and ''[[tavil]]'' (percussion instrument) are played, religious instructions in the ''[[Vedas]]'' (sacred text) are recited by priests, and worshippers prostrate themselves in front of the [[Iconography of Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu#Dvajasthamba and Pali Peedam|temple mast]]. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.<ref name="dinamalar"/>

Puliyodharai (Tamarind Rice), Dhadhyonam (Curd Rice), Pongal, Chakkarai Pongal, [[Vada (food)|Vada]], [[Adhirasam]], Murukku are offered to Vishnu as Prasadam. Maasi Makham is an important festival. The Uthsava idol in the temple, known as "Ulaguyya Nindra Piran" along with His Consorts, and those of Valavendai Gnanapiran or Adivaraha and Sri Rama from nearby Padavedu temple, will be taken in procession to the seashore at Mahabalipuram where special Poojas will be performed and "Theerthavari" are offered. Bhoothatalwar's Avathara Utsavam is also an important festival.

Bhoothath Alvar Avata Utsavam, the birth anniversary of Bhoothath Alvar is celebrated every year during the [[Tamil calendar|Tamil month]] of ''Aippasi'' (October - November). At around 10 am on the festival day, the festival image of the Alvar is brought in a palanquin to the shrine of Nilamangai Thayar and then to Stalasayana Perumal. After the recital of [[Periya Tirumoli]] of [[Thirumangai Azhwar|Thirumangai Alvar]], Kaithala Seva, a practise of providing a special gift to Bhoothath Alvar is performed. Bhootath Alvar also makes a trip to the [[Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram|Cave temple]] of Mahabalipuram. During the evening, the festival images of the presiding deity of Stalasayana Perumal and Bhoothath Alvar is taken around the streets of the temple.<ref name=hindu>{{cite news|title=Reverberations on sea shore|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/reverberations-on-sea-shore/article5426795.ece|publisher=The Hindu|last=S.|first=Prabhu|date=6 December 2013|access-date=19 October 2014}}</ref>

The temple is revered in ''[[Nalayira Divya Prabandham|Naalayira Divya Prabandham]]'', the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by [[Thirumangai Azhwar|Thirumangai Alvar]] and [[Bhoothathazhwar|Bhoothath Alvar]] in one hymn each. The temple is classified as a ''[[Divyadesam|Divya Desam]]'',<ref>{{cite news|title=An NGO does its bit for god - and humanity|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1262149051.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414091637/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1262149051.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 April 2018|url-access=subscription |via=[[HighBeam Research]]|publisher=Hindustan Times|location=New Delhi, India|date=29 April 2007|access-date=13 April 2018}}</ref> one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.<ref name="dinamalar">{{cite web|title=Sri Sthalasayana Perumal temple|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=649|publisher=Dinamalar|access-date=10 October 2014}}</ref> Thirumangai Alvar considers the reclining form of Vishnu special as it is the only place where he reclines in ground without his traditional snake [[Adiseshan]].<ref name=hindu/>

==Administration==
The temple is one of the 32 Group of [[Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram|Monuments at Mahabalipuram]] that are declared as UN world heritage sites, but unlike others that are maintained by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI), the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]]. ASI had a proposal to bring the maintenance of the temple under its jurisdiction in July 2012. Following widespread protest by locals and shopkeepers the proposal was dropped by the central ministry of Culture in September 2013.<ref name=hindu2>{{cite news|title=Plan to take over Pallava era temple dropped following opposition|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/plan-to-take-over-pallava-era-temple-dropped-following-opposition/article5094153.ece|publisher=The Hindu|date=5 September 2013|access-date=15 October 2014|last=D.|first=Madhavan}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|20em}}

==References==
{{refbegin|2}}
*{{cite book |last=Ayyar |first=P. V. Jagadisa |title=South Indian shrines: illustrated |year=1991 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |location=New Delhi |isbn=81-206-0151-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC&q=south+indian+shrines+illustrated+%2B+karvanam&pg=PA539|ref=Ayyar}}
* {{cite book|title=Vishnu temples of South India, Volume two|last=Madhavan|first=Chitra|year=2008|publisher=Chitra Madhavan|isbn=978-81-908445-1-2|ref=Madhavan}}
* {{cite book|title=An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZY2lZpy.TVA_BOK_0006115|last=R.|first=Dr. Vijayalakshmy|publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies| location=Chennai|year=2001|edition=1st|ref=R.}}
* {{cite book|title=108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams volume one Divyadesams in Tondai Nadu|first=M.S.|last=Ramesh|location=Tirpuati|year=1993|publisher=Tirupati Tirumala Devastanams|ref=Ramesh}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commonscat|Thirukadalmallai Temple}}
* [http://www.indiantemples.com/Tamilnadu/df063.html About Sthalasayana Perumal Temple]

{{Famous Vishnu temples|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:Divya Desams| ]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Mahabalipuram]]
[[Category:Mahabalipuram]]

Thirukadalmallai - Revision history

Vemareddy at 12:37, 18 November 2025