Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple is also called Nilthingal Thundam Perumal Temple and Chandrasoodeswarar Perumal Temple is a 1000 years old temple located in Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Sri Vishnu, here all poojas are performed by the Saivite priests. This Vishnu temple is located on the North-East corner inside Ekambareshwarar temple and is a small Sannadhi. Here the Lord is called by Thiru Nilathingal Perumal, which means Lord who blesses devotees in moon color. The deity will be seen here in a standing posture and is facing towards the West under Purushasuktha Vimanam with his abaya Hastham. Here the mother is worshipped as Ner Oruvar Illa Valli Nachiyar(Nilaatthingal Thunda thaayar).
This Vishnu temple is inside the Shiva temple. This is the only Divyadesams where Saivite Priests perform poojas. The place is called Thiruneduthangadam. This temple is one of the oldest temples dating back to 600 AD. built by the Pallava kings; Kings of the Chola dynasty also made abundant contributions to this temple. The tallest majestic Rajagopuram in this temple was built by Vijayanagara King Sri Krishna Devaraya. The most attractive thousand pillars of Mandap were also the contributions of the Vijayanagara kings.
Lord Perumal blesses His devotees seeking child boon. Those suffering from skin and stomach diseases and any adverse evil effects and excessive heat in the body pray to Perumal and for child boon. Perumal darshan also ensures affinity between mother and son.
Daily Six rituals and two major annual festivals are held at the temple, of which the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January), is the most important. The temple is maintained and administered by the Board of Hindu Religion and Endowments of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Speciality of the Temple:
This Maha Vishnu temple housed in a Shiva temple is one of the famous 108 Divya Desas of Sri Maha Vishnu. The only important and rare feature in the temple is Mother Mahalakshmi’s grace of the Lord’s Lotus naval accord which according to the scriptures belongs to Lord Brahmma the Creator. As Mother Mahalakshmi bestows her blessings on the devotees with the attribute of Lord Brahamma, it is believed that this darshan will change the adverse destiny of the devotee.
Chandrasoodeswarar Perumal Temple Timings:
Morning: 9:30 AM to 1:30 AM
Evening: 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Nilathingal Thundathan Perumal Temple History:
As per the legend, Parvathi closed the eyes of Lord Shiva for a moment, the universe became a standstill. Due to this Parvathi came to Earth to do tapas under the mango tree standing on one leg to reunite with Lord Shiva. During tapas, Lord Shiva created a fire around her and the mango tree also caught fire. So Parvathi called Vishnu for help. Vishnu came to the rescue, removed the Chandran (Moon and Nila in Tamil) from Shiva’s head and put off the fire with the cool rays of Chandran.
Again Lord Shiva obstructs the pooja of Parvathi to Shiv Linga, which she made out of River sand, by sending the river Ganga. By seeing the flood water of Ganga, Parvathi embraced the Shiva Linga. In this way, Parvathi united with Lord Shiva.
Since Vishnu took the Chandran / Nila ( also called Thingal in Tamil ) from Lord Shiva’s head, Vishnu is called “Nilathingal Thundathan and the shrine is called “Nilathingal Thundatham”.
Chandrasoodeswarar Perumal Temple Address:
Big Kancheepuram,
Kancheepuram,
Tamil Nadu, 631 502.