Arulmigu Sri Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple

Temple information

Darshan timings

06:00 – 20:30

Established

8

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Deity

Deity form

Rare and unique stone icon of Lord Vishnu reclining directly on the bare ground (Sthala-Sayana) without his customary serpent bed (Adisesha), resting his right hand on his chest

Religious tradition

Vedic Pancharatra Agamic Tradition & 108 Divya Desam Heritage

Sanskrit name

श्री स्थलशयनपेरुमाल् मन्दिरम्

Also known as

Mahabalipuram Divya Desam, Kadalmallai Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, Boothathazhwar Birthplace Temple

Darshan hours

Daily

06:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:30 PM

Break timings

12:00 PM - 04:30 PM (Monday to Thursday)

Special days

Vaikunta Ekadashi, Masi Makham, Boothathazhwar Avathara Utsavam: 04:30 AM - 10:30 PM

Festival timings

Open continuously till 10:30 PM on festival days and Vaikunta Ekadashi

Aarti & rituals

Morning aarti

07:30 AM

Midday aarti

11:45 AM

Evening aarti

06:00 PM

Night aarti

8:15 PM

Special aarti days

Saturdays, Ekadashi, Boothathazhwar Avathara Utsavam, Masi Makham

Ritual schedule

Suprabhatam, Thiruvaradhana, Thulasi Archana, Divya Prabandham Parayanam, Sahasranamarchana, Mangala Harathi

Pooja timings

06:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 04:30 PM - 08:00 PM

Abhishek timings

Thirumanjanam performed on Saturdays and festival days at 07:00 AM

Special poojas

Available

Online pooja booking

Yes

History & heritage

Historical period

Ancient

Built by

Pallavas; rebuilt in stone and enhanced by Vijayanagara Emperor Parankusa and local chieftains

Architect / builder

Master traditional sthapathis of the Vijayanagara guild

Construction materials

Solid dressed granite stone masonry, carved pillars, brick-lime Rajagopuram

Historical events

Boothathazhwar was born in a blue lily flower (Neelotpalam) in the temple tank here in the 7th century CE; composed the Second Tiruvandhadhi of the Divya Prabandham

Renovations

Protected and renovated under Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department with new marble flooring and perimeter lighting

Archaeological importance

Crucial Divya Desam monument directly linked to the origin of the Tamil Bhakti movement

Legends

Sage Pundarika attempted to dry up the Bay of Bengal with his hands to place lotuses on Vishnu; the Lord appeared disguised as an old hungry man, ate rice, and laid down on the flowers on the bare ground

Inscriptions

Stone inscriptions in Tamil dating from the Chola (Kulothunga II) and Vijayanagara periods recording endowments of gardens and salt pans

Architecture

Architectural style

Dravidian

Architectural period

14th - 16th Century CE structural complex

Structure

Walled urban temple complex featuring towering Rajagopuram, broad courtyards, Nilamangai Thayar shrine, and sacred Pundarika Theertham

Floors

1

Gopuram

Soaring seven-tiered entrance Rajagopuram decorated with stucco figures of Vishnu Avatars and Alwars

Mandapa

Pillared Navaranga and Ardhamandapa supported by massive monolithic granite pillars carved with rearing yalis and Vaishnava devatas

Sculptural features

Unique monolithic stone murti of Lord Sthalasayana Perumal reclining on bare ground without Adisesha; standing idol of Sage Pundarika with folded hands; beautiful Nilamangai Thayar

Artistic elements

Intricate ceiling medallions, embossed silver altar cladding, and classical stone dvarapalakas

Construction technique

Interlocking monolithic granite block masonry of durable Vijayanagara execution

Unique features

The rare iconographic form of Vishnu reclining directly on the floor without the serpent Adisesha (Ananthasayanam without snake)

Festivals & events

Festival calendar

Aippasi month Avittam Nakshatra (Boothathazhwar), Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi

Special celebration days

Every Saturday, Shukla Ekadashi, Masi Makham

Cultural events

Divya Prabandham goshti chanting, classical Carnatic music concerts, and religious dramas during festivals

Annual events

Masi Makham Sea Theerthavari where the processional deity is taken to the Bay of Bengal for sacred ocean bath

Peak crowd season

November to February and during Vaikunta Ekadashi

Visitor information

• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Restrooms
• ✓ Drinking water
• ✓ Shoe keeping
• ✓ Prasadam counter

Dress code

Traditional

Best time to visit

Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere

Parking capacity

100+ Vehicles

Parking fees

Approx. 20-50 INR

Donation counters

Yes

Donation methods

Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer

Prasadam

Laddu; Pulihora