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Abodes of Vishnu

49. Arulmigu Ner Oruvar Illavalli Nachiyar sameda Nilathingal Thundathan Temple,Thiru Nilaaththingal Thunndaan

Mulavar   Nilaththingal Thundathaan, Chandrasooda Perumal
Utsavar    
Thayar   Nilaththingal Thunda Thaayar, Ner Oruvar Illavalli Nachiyar
Kshethram    
Pose & Direction   Standing pose facing West
Theertham   Chandra Theertham
Vimanam   Purusha Sukthi Vimanam (Soorya Vimanam)
Sthala Vruksham    
Paadiyavar   Thirumangaialwar
Travel Base   Kanchipuram
Nearest Railway Station   Kanchipuram

Location

This temple is located inside the Ekambareswarar Temple in Periya Kanchipuram. 

History

Lord Maha Vishnu took the form of Tortoise (Koorma Avatara) to the hold the Meru Mount used as the stick (Mathu in Tamil) to churn the milk ocean. Serpent Vasuki was used as the rope. Vasuki, exhausted during this exercise, split its venom which fell on the Tortoise Vishnu under the milk ocean blackening his skin originally alluring pale blue. Treatments were of no avail. Lord Brahmma suggested that worshipping Lord Shiva will remove the blackness and restore his original shade. Perumal performed penance on Lord Shiva, who granted darshan. Crescent Moon on the head of Lord Shiva spread his rays on Perumal. Black disappeared. He recovered his own alluring blue shining better than before. Lord Ekambareswarar Temple was built on the background of this story. As Perumal got back his skin colour as before through rays of Moon, He is praised as Nila Thunda-crescent moon-Perumal. The shrine is in the Easanya corner – north east- of the temple. This is a temple in a temple – Vishnu temple in Shiva temple. This is praised as one of the 108 Divya Desas of Lord Vishnu. When Parvathi was doing Tapas beneath a mango tree, Lord Shiva wanted to test the strength of her tapas. So, he fired the Mango tree. At that time, Parvathi seek the help of Vaamanar. After hearing the request of Parvathi, Sri Vaamanar with four hands with Sangu in one hand and Chakram on the other, took out the Chandran (Moon) from the head of Lord Shivan and with the cool rays out of it he made the fire cool and made the Mango tree grow once again. After this, Parvathi went back to do the Tapas. But, Lord Shivan wanted once again to test her and sent Ganga, the river. When she came very fast to destroy the tapas of Parvathi, Parvathi explained her that both of them are sisters. Inspite of hearing this, Ganga River doesn’t want to stop and tried to destroy her and her tapas. At that time, Parvathi made a Shiva Lingam out of sand and hugged it towards her. At that time, both Shiva and Parvathi got mixed to each other. This is the Sthala Puranam of this temple. Since, to help Parvathi, Sriman Narayanan took the Chandran (Moon) from Lord Shiva's head to prevent the Lingam done by sand from Ganga river, the Perumal is called as "Nila Thingal Thundathan" and so the sthalam is called as "Thiru Nilathingal Thundam". This Divyadesam is found inside Ekambareswarar temple. Since, this temple is taken care by Siva Acharyas; the poojas for Sri Vishnu is done by a Sivachariyar only.

Architecture

This Divyadesam is situated as a small Sannadhi inside Ekambareswarar temple in Big Kanchipuram. Out of the 108 Divyadesams, it lies in the 55th place. Mother Mahalakshmi graces the devotess from the naval chord Lotus of Sri Vishnu. Also, this temple is inside the Sri Ekambareswarar Temple, and pooja are done by Shivachariyars instead of Vaishnavites. hiru Nilathingal Thundam is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu situated within the temple precincts of Sri Ekambareswarar Temple. The shrine is in the Easanya corner – north east – of the temple. This is a temple in a temple – Vishnu temple in Shiva temple. 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 Brahmma. Brahmma creates beings with an order of life that may be good or bad for them based on their past births, according to our beliefs and scriptures. Worshipping Mahalakshmi in this temple reverses the adverse effects on the devotee originally fixed by Brahamma. Lord Perumal blesses his devotees seeking child boon. It is noteworthy that Mother Parvathi was relieved of the curse of Lord Shiva for closing his eyes though in a playful mood. It is here Lord Perumal too got his vision restored by Lord Shiva, according to some stories. It is said that Lord Shiva used Holy Ganga for Parvathi and the Crescent Moon for Perumal to grace them. Worshipping Lord Ekambareswara and Lord Nilathunda Perumal together would promote more affection between brothers and sisters, it is advised. Lord Nilathunda Perumal blesses the devotees in a shrine in the first prakara in standing form under the Purusha Suktha Vimana. 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. 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. As the rays of crescent moon – Nila Thundu – fell on him, Lord is named Nilathunda Perumal. He is also praised as Chandra Chooda Perumal. The Mangala Sasanam hymn of Tirumangai Azhwar describes this story.

Timings: 7.00 am to 12.00 noon, 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm