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Abodes of Vishnu

63. Arulmigu Nilamangai Nachiyar samedea Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, Thirukkadalmallai

Mulavar   SthalasayanaPerumal
Utsavar   Ulaguiya Nindraan
Thayar   Nilamangai Thayar
Kshethram   Artha Sethu Kshethram
Pose & Direction   Bujanga Sayanam facing East
Theertham   Pundareega Pushkarni, Garuda Nadhi
Vimanam   Gakanakruthi Vimanam
Sthala Vruksham   Punnai
Paadiyavar   Thirumangaialwar, Boodathalwar
Travel Base   Chennai
Nearest Railway Station   Chengalpet

Location

It is located 56 kms from Chennai on the East Coast Road towards Pondicherry. It is 27 Kms from Chengalpattu on SH58. The temple is located at the centre of the town.

History

This is the only divyadsam where He is reclining on the bare floor, hence He is being worshipped as Sthala Sayana Perumal. Sthalam means the Floor, that too with His Four Hands but surprisingly Without Conch and Discus. Both of His Front Hands Rest on the Floor pointing towards His Feet where as His Right Rear Arm Holds His Head as a Pillow and Left Rear Hand in a Raising Posture. Once a sage named Pundareeha Mahirishi saw some lotus flowers with 1000 petals. He wanted to adorn them to Paranthaman in Thiruparkadal. He started to collect the Lotuses from the tank. At that time a Crocodile came to hit him. Mahirishi looked the crocodile with kind and immediately the Crocodile transformed into a man. He told Rishi that once he was a king and an adherent devotee of Lord Maha Vishnu. One Day he was refused to offer rice to a brahmin and due to his curse he became a crocodile and now got rid of the curse due to the kind look of Pundareehar. He thanked the rishi and went off. Somehow Pundarehar collected some Lotus Flowers with over 1000 petals and started to drain the sea so that to reach Thiruparkadal. At that time an old man came there and asked the sage for some food. Pundareehar wanted to offer him some food but at the same time he did not want to stop his work of emptying the sea. By knowing this the old man assured the sage that he would do his work till the sage return with food for him. Agreed sage went to get some food for the old man. When he returned, to a big surprise, he saw that old man lying on the floor wearing the lotus flowers on his neck as a garland. Mahiishi came to know that he is none other than the Almighty. At last Paranthaman gave him His Prathyaksham in Sayana Posture on the Floor without His Conch and Discus for His adherent devotee who tried to worship Him as Ksheerabthinathan Of Thiruparkadal. Hence He is also being worshipped as “Artha Sethu”. Pundareeha Mahirishi is also there in the sanctum sanctorum with the folded hands at the feet of the Almighty.

Festival

 

Timings: 7.00 am to 12.00 noon, 3.00 pm to 8.00 pm