The Marriage Temple in Chennai!
No jumping to conclusions on seeing the title for those who know about the temple. No. Am not in any idea to get married in near future. It has quite a deal of time. It was a normal visit to the temple, just as I visit several other temples. If you don’t relate that, lemme give a one-liner about this temple. It’s a wedding specialty temple!!! Its the temple for marriage problems in Chennai!!!
It was a Sunday in Chennai and I badly wanted to watch a movie. Even if it’s a dumb movie, it would do. So I planned it with a friend and she would turn up only by noon. So till then I had to kill time all alone. We had planned to meet at Mayajaal in ECR. (Well, Mayajaal is one of the very good multiplexes in Chennai which is on East Coast Road aka ECR). So, I thought of going further and visit Thiruvidanthai and get back to Mayajaal by noon. So I was off, on the track to one of the most important Perumal temples in Chennai!!! A simple bus ride and there I was dropped right in front of the temple.
It has an arch that denotes the temple and a 250m (only m not km!!!) walk from the arch into a lean road took me to the entrance of the temple. I left my slippers out as it is to be done in any temple anywhere.
The legend here is that when Kalava Maharishi was perplexed about getting his 360 daughters married off, he prayed to Lord Vishnu (Moolavar – the one in sanctum sanctorum) who is called Vishnu Varaha Perumal here, to show him a way. So Perumal himself came down to the earth everyday for one whole year as a bachelor and married all his 360 daughters, one each day. The first daughter is Komalavalli Thayar. All the rest of the 249 girls are cumulatively called Akilavalli Thayar. She sat on his left lap. So the place is called Thiru + Ida + Vindhai. Thiru is respect like Mr. and Ida is Left and Vindhai is Magic. So Thiruidavindhai which is nowadays called Thiruvidandhai.
The Uthsavar is called Nithya Kalyana Perumal. The Uthsavar statue is made of bronze always and this one has a dot on the cheek which is a Dhrishti Pottu which is kept to ward off evil-eye.
Nithya Kalyana Perumal is seated here on Adhiseshan, his Snake Vahana. One of his legs is placed on Adhiseshan and the other on the ground. Adhiseshan is seen here with his wife, which is very very unusual. The inner circum-ambulation passage has the shrines of Achudhan, Thumbikkai Azhawar, and Vaishnavi. Also seen are the 12 Azhwars, Manavala Maamunigal. The outer circum-ambulation passage has separate shrines for Komalavalli Thayar, Andal, Ranganayaki.
I performed the basic prayer and as everyone who visits that temple is told, I was also blessed by the priest that I would get married soon to an amazing guy. Errr.. Hmm…. Let’s see!!!!!
So generally singles come here to pray that they get the best spouse in the world. And engaged couples and couples in love come here as this is the temple to pray for marriage and married couples come here for the longevity of their marriage and happiness in family. Also, they come here to say thanks for the blissful married life.
So the singles, unmarried, engaged ones have to do a special prayer and circum-ambulate the inner passage once and outer passage 9 times. The couples are given a garland that is supposed to be preserved till marriage and placed back in the temple during the visit after marriage. The married people circum-ambulate both the inner and outer passages once.
This temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vaishnavaits. Manavala Mamunigal has sung several hymns upon this temple and Thirumangai Azhwar has sung 13 Paasurams (a type of hymn) here. Several inscriptions are found here. It was discovered that RajaRaja Cholan’s nakshatra is Sadayam through an inscription here.
Outside on the way to the arch is the tank of the temple. This is called Varaha Theertham aka Kalyana Theertham. There are so so so many fishes here It wouldn’t even justify if you don’t feed em with blown rice (Pori). There is a shop available nearby just opposite to the tank that sells Pori. Sorry, there are no pics of the temple interiors as it’s not allowed in there.
P.S. After the temple I went back to Mayajaal for the movie. At that time-slot the only movie was errr.. Main aur Mrs. Khanna. Yup. As I guessed initially itself – Dumb Movie!!!
6:00AM to 12:00NOON; 3:00PM to 8:00PM
From Chennai:
From Thiruvanmiyur: 25 km on ECR via Mayajaal, Kovalam. Regular Buses available. Hop-in Hop-off service of TTDC also available
From Tambaram: 35 km. By car/bike – could prefer a route via Vandalur and then taking the Kelambakkam road that leads till ECR coz this road has no traffic at all. By bus – could take direct bus to Mahabalipuram which is rare or could break the journey as East Tambaram – Velachery – Thiruvanmiyur – Thiruvidanthai.
From Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram: 17 km en-route to Kovalam
From Puducherry/Pondicherry: 112 km via Mahabalipuram
nan inga naray vaati poiruken..its a really nice place..free
ReplyDeleteInteresting temple and history.
ReplyDeleteHello Mitr! I loved this post, you have a good sense of humour about the marriage! :) What an interesting lore about Perumal, I love local legends and history, thanks! Nice photos!
ReplyDeletenice decsiption thozhi
ReplyDeletewow what a good blog..will keep visiting...and rombo nanri friend 4 passsing by......like the priest said, some wonderful partner may be waiting there somewhere..hehe.take care..best wishes to u..
ReplyDelete:) :) good read.. I've been here too :) as usual ur post is sweet da :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting temple. I didn't know there were temples that specialize in marriage!
ReplyDeleteyour site is a great travelogue. i really enjoyed India. such a special place full of history and culture. I am glad you enjoyed my site and found me through JM's site. I have signed up as a follower. Also if you like travel photos, we have a travel photo site at www.vivalavoyage.com
ReplyDelete@Soin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by again dear. Its indeed a nice place. Whole ECR is infact... :)
@Diane,
Thank you. :)
@Rain,
//About marriage// - Hee hee.. Lolz..
I love these lore and legends too... :) Its the most interesting part of any temple..
@Thala,
Thanks thala. U r commenting after a long time now... :)
@Ramesh,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog. Thanks for dropping by and commenting and following up too. Thanks again.
//some wonderful partner may be waiting there somewhere// - Hee hee.. Paakalam... Nadappadhu nadakkattum...
@Sow,
Thanks di chellam.
@Janie,
Oh Janie, Yes, there are temples that specialize in wedding, women's issues, child birth, education - literally everything... :) My post on Pettavaithalai temple is all about women's health issues. :)
@Julie,
Thanks for dropping by. So glad to know you really enjoyed Incredible India. Thanks a lot for visiting, commenting and following also. Will drop by your photoblog soon.. :)
So the blessing will come real very soon! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteOlá Bhushavali,
ReplyDeleteI will follow your adventures :=)
Beijos(kisses)
Nice Lima
Hi Chella,
ReplyDeleteOh no.... Not now... Not so soon. After a few years let the blessing come true... :)
Lima,
Hey hello... Welcome to my blog... Thank you so much for dropping by and commenting... So nice of you to follow my adventures as well. :)
This is by far the best description of a temple i had ever witnessed :)
ReplyDeleteKudos to you !!!
Idhu kagavae ungaliku VOTE panren :)
Ur blog surely deserves the VOTE...
keep blogging
cheers!!!
hey dear friend..u have a gr8 sense of humour..just preserve protect and cherish it..now u have a nanban in sharjah who will wish u the best always..nanri meendum varuga..ennudaiya bloguku..
ReplyDeleteThat's why I love India. Is full of historical sites and has a rich culture! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI think a friend of ours visited this temple, i am not sure. You must know. The pond looks good in the pic.Updated my firefox now i could comment on ur blog
ReplyDeleteSathish,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. That's such a kind appreciation. I'm glad.
Thanks a ton for the vote.
Ramesh,
Thank you so much for the compliment. I'll visit often. :)
Phivos,
I'm glad you love India. U too have a great weekend.
Venky,
Yes. Sow has visited this temple. :) The pond was so filled with fishes. Thank you so much. Awaiting your comments in all posts. :)
I love the stories associated with temples here. 360 girls...holy cow!! A rishi having that many kids....hmmmm:)
ReplyDeleteNice post. Came here via Neelima's blog.
Nice travelogue!
ReplyDeleteSeeing this blog only now. A good post.
ReplyDeleteyou have very good posts in your blog.
If you don't mind, (even if you mind) I bless you to the post of loving wife to some good handsome (....and fill up with any adjective you would like to have)man.
No jumping to conclusions on seeing the title for those who know about the temple. No. Am not in any idea to get married in near future.
ReplyDelete-சரி; சரி; நம்பறோà®®். இப்ப என்ன கல்யாணம் ஆனாத்தான் என்ன தப்பு?? பரவாயில்ல. சுபஸ்ய சீக்கிà®°à®®். [:-)]
Anyway this travelogue is very nice and tempting me to make a visit since it is in Chennai. OR near chennai??
first time to your blog it is very much informative.
ReplyDelete@Vamsee,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and commenting. Welcome to my blog and do drop in often. :)
@Prasanth,
Thanks dear. Do drop in often :)
@பெயர் சொல்ல விà®°ுப்பமில்லை,
Thank you so much.
Ha ha ha... Thank you so so much. Let's see. When those good things happen, I'll post it. But its gonna take a few more years I guess... :D
So nice to have you in my blog. Do drop in often. And post comments too.
@Nags,
ReplyDeleteAfter a long time u commented...
Nambungappa... :)
Chennai to Mahabs route-la irukku. Poi parungalen... :)
@Chhabi,
Thank you so much for dropping by and commenting and following-up. Thank you.. :)
Look forward to the Wedding Photos then. {:)
ReplyDelete@Roy,
ReplyDeleteHa.... U've gotta wait a few more years for it sweetheart.. :)
I went to this place after my marriage...Nice temple, but it is not kept clean....
ReplyDeleteInga poittu vanthittae illa....Seekiram unakku thirumanam nadakkum...
@Jij,
ReplyDeleteYa. I know U went there with Akka.
//Seekiram unakku thirumanam nadakkum...// - Paakalaam.... Lets see... :D
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHey Swati,
ReplyDeleteWelcome dear to my blog... Thank you so much for dropping by and commenting...
Sure. I'll tell u when I get committed... :)
Do drop i often. Would love your comments. :)
good information about this temple.
ReplyDeletebut if the telephone number and koil daily timing is given it is easy for devotees from far away places to programm their visit accordingly.
KODAVASAL RENGANATHAN
@Kodavasal Rajagopalan Ranganathan,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry I forgot to take the number from them. Will do on my next visit.
Thank you for dropping by and commenting. Do drop in often!!!
YES I WENT THE GREAT TEMPLE WITH ISSAC, HE AND ME GET GREAQT PEACEFUL FEELING WE LOVE THE TEMPLE BUT DONT SEE KILI JOSIYAM ALL ARE FRAUD, I LOST 500 RS.
ReplyDelete@Sathish,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and commenting. Welcome here.
Its sad that you lost Rs.500. Its is very true that money should be very carefully spent in tourist places as there tend to be more people to make money out of the tourists!!!
Yes Bhushavali...I agree. Please do not see Kili Josiyam near that temple....they try to steal your hard earned money by saying some scary future story especially when you accompany with wife / other ladies in your family...the happiness, divine and peace that you get from the temple which you loose on your way back after seeing kili josiyam... they asked Rs. 3250 to remove some evil spirits that would affect the family
ReplyDeleteWe went with our family to this temple, the same Kili Josiyam near that temple, showed scary women's picture, and asked for 3500 to remove the evil spirit.
Delete@Rajesh,
ReplyDeleteThat's true. We do lose our peace of mind when someone says like that!!!
Hi! i love one guy..we both want to marry..but our parents not accept it..if i pray d nithyakalyana perumal, can i get married with my parents permission..n i cant go 2 dat temple since i'm in cuddallore. if i pray d god from my place itself, can i get blessings? if we ll get married, we ll plan to go dat temple..can we?
ReplyDeleteHi. I live in Chennai and curious. Did you get married after this visit to the temple??
ReplyDeletekindly give address of the temple & seva list with amount so it will be easy for sending MO or online transfer.
ReplyDeleteyes I'm also lost money. kili josiyam is no 1 fraud.so be alert people's.
ReplyDelete