Nilthingal Thundam Perumal temple (also called Chandrasoodeswarar Perumal temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, located in Kanchipuram in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is located in a shrine in Ekambareswarar Temple, the largest temple in the town of Kanchipuram, located in the northern part of the town.[1] The temple gopuram (gateway tower) is 59 m tall, which is one of the tallest gopurams in India.
The temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshiped as Nilathingal Thunda Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Nilathingal Thunda Nayagi.
Six daily rituals and two major yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Margali (December–January), is the most prominent. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Unlike other Vaishnavite temples where a Vaishnavite priest officiates, the temples has a Saiva priest as it in inside a Shiva temple.
Parvati, the consort of Shiva was doing penance under the temple's ancient mango tree near Vegavathi river.[2] In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her. The goddess Parvati prayed to her brother, Vishnu for help. Vishnu took the crescent from Shiva's head and reflected the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati. Shiva wanted to test Parvati again and sent the river Ganga (Ganges) to disrupt her penance. Parvati prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so she should not harm her. Subsequently, Ganga did not disturb her penance and Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand to get united with Shiva. Shiva came to be known as Ekambareswarar or "Lord of Mango Tree" and Vishnu as Nilathingal Thundam.[3]
As per Hindu legend, Parvati was doing penance at this place to attain the blessings of her husband Shiva. She sought the help of Vishnu to help her in the cause. Vishnu appeared as Vamana with a conch and disc and radiated light as moon. It is believed that Vishnu appeared for Chandra (moon) and Shiva.[4]
As per another legend, when devas (celestial deities) and asuras (demons) were churning the Ocean of Milk, Vishnu helped them as a tortoise Kurma holding the mount. The snake Vasuki using as a rope for churning emanated poison that turned the skin colour of the tortoise from blue to black. Vishnu reached out to Brahma for resolution, who advised him to worship Shiva. It is believed that sun and moon are the two eyes of Shiva. He opened his left moon eye to ease the pain of Vishnu with the cold lunar rays. On account of it, the presiding deity came to be known as Nilathingal Thunda Perumal.[5]
History
The Ekambareswarar temple is one of the most ancient in India having been in existence since at least 600 CE. A 2nd-century CE Tamil poetry speaks of Kama kottam, and the Kumara kottam (currently the Kamakashi Amman temple and the Subramanya temple). Initially temple was built by Pallavas. The Vedantist Kachiyapper served as a priest at the temple. The existing structure then, was pulled down and rebuilt by the later Chola Kings. Adi Sankara, the 10th-century saint got Kanchipuram remodeled along with expansion of this temple along with Kamakshi Amman temple and Varadaraja Perumal Temple with the help of local rulers.[6] The Vijayanagara kings, during the 15th century, also made lot of contributions to the temple and later developed by Vallal Pachiyappa Mudaliar used to go regularly from Chennai to Kanchipuram to worship in this temple, he spent significant money he amazed during British rule on the temple renovation, Pachiyappa Mudaliar seated at horse back can be seen in the temple pillar. At the later stage a similar temple with same name Ekambareswarar was constructed in Chennai by Pachiappa Mudaliar in order to avoid travelling time to Kanchipuram. The Archaeological Survey of India report of 1905–06 indicates widespread renovation activities carried out in the temple by Nattukottai Chettiar.[7] In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Architecture
Legend of the temple in a stucco image
The temple is located on the first precinct around the Ekambareswarar Temple, located to the South West of the sanctum. Nilathingal Thundam Perumal is seen in standing posture facing West in the shrine under Purushasuktha Vimana. There is no separate shrine for the consort Nilanthingal Nayagi, neither there is any separate festival image.[5] The shrine faces West, while the Ekamabareswarar shrine faces the East.[8]
The Ekambareswarar temple covers an area of over 23 acres (93,000 m2). Reaching a height of 59 m (194 ft), the temple's Raja gopuram (the entrance tower to the temple) is one of the tallest in South India. One notable feature of the temple is the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, or the "hallway with a thousand pillars", which was built by the Vijayanagara Kings. The temple's inner walls are decorated with an array of 1,008 Siva lingams.[9] The temple has five prakarams (or courtyards) and has a thousand-pillared hall. Kampai Tirtha, the temple tank is believed to have an underground holy river. The fourth courtyard contains a small Ganesha temple and a pond. The third courtyard contains lot of smaller shrines. The sanctum sanctorum contains the lingam along with the image of Shiva.[10]
Religious importance
Unlike other Vishnu temples that have Vaishnavite priests, this temple has only Saivite priests as the temple is located on the premises of a Shiva temple. There are no separate festivals celebrated for the presiding deity.[11] The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Alvar in one hymn. The temple is classified as a Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book.
The consort of Nilathingal Thundam Perumal (also called Chandrasoodeswarar Perumal) is called Nilathingal Thunda Nayagi (also called Ver Oruvar Illa Valli). The temple is one of the three rare Divyadesams, with the other being Govindaraja Perumal Temple and Thirukalvanur, that are housed in a Shiva temple.[12] Only Saivite priests perform rituals in the temple.[4]
Festivals and religious practices
Image of the temple tower
The temple priests perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Being inside the premises of a Shiva temple, the priests belong to the Saivite community.[13] The temple rituals are performed six times a day: Ushathkalam at 7:00 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 Govindarajan and Pundarikavalli. 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 temple mast. There are weekly, monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple. The 10-day Vaikunta Ekadasi festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December - January) is the most prominent festival celebrated in the temple. There are special poojas performed during every new moon day.[11]
References
^Let's Go India and Nepal, 8th Ed. Let's Go Publications. p. 585.
^Ayyar, P. V. Jagadisa (1991). South Indian shrines: illustrated. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. pp. 71–72. ISBN81-206-0151-3.
^Rajaiah, Ratna (2010), How the Banana Goes to Heaven, Chennai: Manipal Press Limited, ISBN978-93-8065-860-5
^ abC., Chandramouli (2003). Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District. Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu.
^Rao, P.V.L. Narasimha (2008). Kanchipuram - Land of Legends, Saints & Temples. New Delhi: Readworthy Publications (P) Ltd. p. 43. ISBN978-93-5018-104-1.
^Hancock, Mary Elizabeth (2008), The politics of heritage from Madras to Chennai, IN, USA: Indiana University Press, p. 220, ISBN978-0-253-35223-1
^T.V.R, Chari (1982). The Glorious temples of Kanchi. Big Kancheepuram: Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam and Sarada Navaratri Kalai Nigazhchi Trust. p. 56.
^Alexander, Jane (2009). The Body, Mind, Spirit Miscellany: The Ultimate Collection of Fascinations. NY: Duncain Baird Publishers. p. 91. ISBN978-1-84483-837-0.
^Schreitmüller, Karen (2009). India. Germany: Karl Baedeker Verlag. p. 545. ISBN9783829766227.
^R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 514–5.
^Diwakar, Macherla (2011). Temples of South India (1st ed.). Chennai: Techno Book House. p. 141. ISBN978-93-83440-34-4.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ekambareswarar Temple.
August 18, 2023
nilathingal, thundam, perumal, temple, nilthingal, thundam, perumal, temple, also, called, chandrasoodeswarar, perumal, temple, hindu, temple, dedicated, vishnu, located, kanchipuram, state, tamil, nadu, india, temple, located, shrine, ekambareswarar, temple, . Nilthingal Thundam Perumal temple also called Chandrasoodeswarar Perumal temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu located in Kanchipuram in the state of Tamil Nadu India The temple is located in a shrine in Ekambareswarar Temple the largest temple in the town of Kanchipuram located in the northern part of the town 1 The temple gopuram gateway tower is 59 m tall which is one of the tallest gopurams in India Nilathingal Thundam Perumal templeReligionAffiliationHinduismDeityNilathingal Thunda Perumal Vishnu Nilathingal Thunda Nayagi Lakshmi LocationLocationKanchipuramStateTamil NaduCountryIndiaGeographic coordinates12 50 51 N 79 42 00 E 12 84750 N 79 70000 E 12 84750 79 70000ArchitectureTypeDravidian architectureCreatorPallava Chola kingsThe temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th 9th centuries CE It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu who is worshiped as Nilathingal Thunda Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Nilathingal Thunda Nayagi Six daily rituals and two major yearly festivals are held at the temple of which the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Margali December January is the most prominent The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu Unlike other Vaishnavite temples where a Vaishnavite priest officiates the temples has a Saiva priest as it in inside a Shiva temple Contents 1 Legend 2 History 3 Architecture 4 Religious importance 5 Festivals and religious practices 6 References 7 External linksLegend Edit Legend indicating churning of Ocean of MilkParvati the consort of Shiva was doing penance under the temple s ancient mango tree near Vegavathi river 2 In order to test her devotion Shiva sent fire on her The goddess Parvati prayed to her brother Vishnu for help Vishnu took the crescent from Shiva s head and reflected the rays which then cooled down the tree as well as Parvati Shiva wanted to test Parvati again and sent the river Ganga Ganges to disrupt her penance Parvati prayed to Ganga and convinced her that both of them were sisters and so she should not harm her Subsequently Ganga did not disturb her penance and Parvati made a Shiva Linga out of sand to get united with Shiva Shiva came to be known as Ekambareswarar or Lord of Mango Tree and Vishnu as Nilathingal Thundam 3 As per Hindu legend Parvati was doing penance at this place to attain the blessings of her husband Shiva She sought the help of Vishnu to help her in the cause Vishnu appeared as Vamana with a conch and disc and radiated light as moon It is believed that Vishnu appeared for Chandra moon and Shiva 4 As per another legend when devas celestial deities and asuras demons were churning the Ocean of Milk Vishnu helped them as a tortoise Kurma holding the mount The snake Vasuki using as a rope for churning emanated poison that turned the skin colour of the tortoise from blue to black Vishnu reached out to Brahma for resolution who advised him to worship Shiva It is believed that sun and moon are the two eyes of Shiva He opened his left moon eye to ease the pain of Vishnu with the cold lunar rays On account of it the presiding deity came to be known as Nilathingal Thunda Perumal 5 History EditThe Ekambareswarar temple is one of the most ancient in India having been in existence since at least 600 CE A 2nd century CE Tamil poetry speaks of Kama kottam and the Kumara kottam currently the Kamakashi Amman temple and the Subramanya temple Initially temple was built by Pallavas The Vedantist Kachiyapper served as a priest at the temple The existing structure then was pulled down and rebuilt by the later Chola Kings Adi Sankara the 10th century saint got Kanchipuram remodeled along with expansion of this temple along with Kamakshi Amman temple and Varadaraja Perumal Temple with the help of local rulers 6 The Vijayanagara kings during the 15th century also made lot of contributions to the temple and later developed by Vallal Pachiyappa Mudaliar used to go regularly from Chennai to Kanchipuram to worship in this temple he spent significant money he amazed during British rule on the temple renovation Pachiyappa Mudaliar seated at horse back can be seen in the temple pillar At the later stage a similar temple with same name Ekambareswarar was constructed in Chennai by Pachiappa Mudaliar in order to avoid travelling time to Kanchipuram The Archaeological Survey of India report of 1905 06 indicates widespread renovation activities carried out in the temple by Nattukottai Chettiar 7 In modern times the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu Architecture Edit Legend of the temple in a stucco imageThe temple is located on the first precinct around the Ekambareswarar Temple located to the South West of the sanctum Nilathingal Thundam Perumal is seen in standing posture facing West in the shrine under Purushasuktha Vimana There is no separate shrine for the consort Nilanthingal Nayagi neither there is any separate festival image 5 The shrine faces West while the Ekamabareswarar shrine faces the East 8 The Ekambareswarar temple covers an area of over 23 acres 93 000 m2 Reaching a height of 59 m 194 ft the temple s Raja gopuram the entrance tower to the temple is one of the tallest in South India One notable feature of the temple is the Aayiram Kaal Mandapam or the hallway with a thousand pillars which was built by the Vijayanagara Kings The temple s inner walls are decorated with an array of 1 008 Siva lingams 9 The temple has five prakarams or courtyards and has a thousand pillared hall Kampai Tirtha the temple tank is believed to have an underground holy river The fourth courtyard contains a small Ganesha temple and a pond The third courtyard contains lot of smaller shrines The sanctum sanctorum contains the lingam along with the image of Shiva 10 Religious importance EditUnlike other Vishnu temples that have Vaishnavite priests this temple has only Saivite priests as the temple is located on the premises of a Shiva temple There are no separate festivals celebrated for the presiding deity 11 The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham the 7th 9th century Vaishnava canon by Thirumangai Alvar in one hymn The temple is classified as a Divya Desam one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book The consort of Nilathingal Thundam Perumal also called Chandrasoodeswarar Perumal is called Nilathingal Thunda Nayagi also called Ver Oruvar Illa Valli The temple is one of the three rare Divyadesams with the other being Govindaraja Perumal Temple and Thirukalvanur that are housed in a Shiva temple 12 Only Saivite priests perform rituals in the temple 4 Festivals and religious practices Edit Image of the temple towerThe temple priests perform the pooja rituals during festivals and on a daily basis Being inside the premises of a Shiva temple the priests belong to the Saivite community 13 The temple rituals are performed six times a day Ushathkalam at 7 00 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 Govindarajan and Pundarikavalli 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 temple mast There are weekly monthly and fortnightly rituals performed in the temple The 10 day Vaikunta Ekadasi festival celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi December January is the most prominent festival celebrated in the temple There are special poojas performed during every new moon day 11 References Edit Let s Go India and Nepal 8th Ed Let s Go Publications p 585 Ayyar P V Jagadisa 1991 South Indian shrines illustrated New Delhi Asian Educational Services pp 71 72 ISBN 81 206 0151 3 Rajaiah Ratna 2010 How the Banana Goes to Heaven Chennai Manipal Press Limited ISBN 978 93 8065 860 5 a b C Chandramouli 2003 Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District Directorate of Census Operations Tamil Nadu a b M S Ramesh 1993 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desam Volume 1 Tirupati Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Rao P V L Narasimha 2008 Kanchipuram Land of Legends Saints amp Temples New Delhi Readworthy Publications P Ltd p 43 ISBN 978 93 5018 104 1 Hancock Mary Elizabeth 2008 The politics of heritage from Madras to Chennai IN USA Indiana University Press p 220 ISBN 978 0 253 35223 1 T V R Chari 1982 The Glorious temples of Kanchi Big Kancheepuram Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam and Sarada Navaratri Kalai Nigazhchi Trust p 56 Alexander Jane 2009 The Body Mind Spirit Miscellany The Ultimate Collection of Fascinations NY Duncain Baird Publishers p 91 ISBN 978 1 84483 837 0 Schreitmuller Karen 2009 India Germany Karl Baedeker Verlag p 545 ISBN 9783829766227 a b Sri Nilathunda Perumal temple Dinamalar 2011 Retrieved 27 August 2016 R Dr Vijayalakshmy 2001 An introduction to religion and Philosophy Tevaram and Tivviyappirapantam 1st ed Chennai International Institute of Tamil Studies pp 514 5 Diwakar Macherla 2011 Temples of South India 1st ed Chennai Techno Book House p 141 ISBN 978 93 83440 34 4 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ekambareswarar Temple Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nilathingal Thundam Perumal temple amp oldid 1145735879, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
