MALAI MANDALA PERUMAL KOVIL TEMPLE (Sadras (Sathurangapattinam))

 temple, Vishnu temple

Located about 15kms South of Thiru Kadal Mallai Divya Desam and a couple of kms ahead of Kalpakkam on the Thirukazhakundram-Kalpakkam SH 58 is the ancient Mani Mandala Perumal Koil in Sathurangapatnam (Sadras), one that has several interesting features.

Believed to be well over a 1000years old and originally located on a hill, this place dates back to the period of Vijayendra Chozha and was called Raja Narayana Patnam named after the minister of the Chozha.

Later, during the Vijayanagara rule, this came to be referred to as Sathura-Vasam- Patnam, which in course of time became Sathurangapatnam. While the Dutch referred to this place as ‘Sadras’, the name ‘Sathurangapatnam’ has come to stay.

This was originally a Lakshmi Narayana temple. Later, with Varadaraja Perumal appearing here as a Swayambu Murthy, Lakshmi Narayana is said to have given way for Lord Varadaraja.

The first of the Azhvaars, Bhoothath Azhvaar, is said to have stayed at this place. He is seen in a Gnana Mudra Posture similar to the one at Thiru Kadal Mallai Divya Desam.

Photos by Raju's Temple visits:
shanthiraju.wordpress.com/

More photos here:
www.flickr.com/photos/rajushanthi/sets/7215762475957650...