Nilathingal Perumal

Sri Nilathingal Thundathan

Nilathingal Perumal -(file picture)

Sri Nilathingal Perumal sannidhi is situated inside the Ekambareswarar temple, Kanchipuram. This temple is around 2000 years old. There are a few legends behind the Nilathunda Perumal. The legend goes likes thus - Lord Maha Vishnu in Koorma avatar (form of Tortoise )to support the Meru Mount used as the churn to churn the 'paar kadal' . Serpent Vasuki who was being used as the rope, spit its venom which fell on the Vishnu who was in the Tortoise form, blackening His blue skin. Treatments to restore the original color were of no use. Lord Brahmma suggested that worshipping Lord Shiva will remove the blackness and restore His original shade. Vishnu performed penance on Lord Shiva, who granted darshan. The Crescent Moon on the head of Lord Shiva spread his rays on Lord Vishnu. The black color disappeared and recovered His own alluring blue skin color . As Vishnu got back His skin colour through the rays of the Moon, He is praised as Nila Thunda (crescent moon) Perumal.

Nilathingal Perumal sannidhi inside Ekambareswarar Temple

The sthalapuranam of this temple is also associated with that of Saraswathi and Lord Brahman.All the asuras who were sent by Goddess Saraswathi to destroy the yagam performed by Brahma were killed by Sri Narayana. Saraswathi finaly sent a ferocious snake.Lord Narayana took the form of Ashtabhuja Perumal holding eight different weapons to kill the snake. The snake then surrendered to Lord Vishnu and He ordered the snake to stay in the Vaayu end of the yaaga sala as "Sarabeswaran" to gaurd Lord Shiva's yagam. 

Temple location Inside the Ekambareswarar temple, Kanchipuram

Temple Timings The temple is open from 6:00 AM till 12 noon and from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm

How to reach? Kanchipuram is around 75 kms from Chennai off the Chennai Bangalore highway via SriPerumbudur. It is well connected by several bus services from Chennai. There is a railway station in Kanchipuram with a few train services from Chennai in the mornings.

Where to Stay? There are many semi deluxe hotels in Kanchipuram
Other interesting places around Kanchipuram It is a temple town with 15 out of the 108 divya desams spread around here. Kanchi Sankracharya mutt is in the heart of the town.
Contact NA
Useful data
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Chennai
Famous for: Pilgrimage,shopping for the world famous silk sarees, handlooms
Languages: English,Tamil, Telugu
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very sultry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level