A centuries-old shrine in Thiruvidandai, a village near Chennai, has become a popular pilgrimage site for thousands of Indians who struggle with delayed weddings. The Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple is revered
for its distinctive concept that Lord Vishnu “marries” devotees spiritually and helps eliminate obstacles to find the right life partner for them. The belief has subtly evolved into a spiritual practice for people looking for divine intervention in love and marriage.
The historic temple is dedicated to Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is known as a holy shrine where Lord Vishnu rules as the deity Nithyakalyana Perumal, literally meaning “the Lord of Eternal Weddings”. The temple attracts devotees from all across India who hope to overcome marriage-related challenges and find the right life partner.
Beliefs and Stories: Divine Venue for Marriage Blessings
Originally constructed by the Pallavas in the 7th century CE, with expansions by the Cholas, the Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are the holiest Vishnu temples as per the early medieval Vaishnavism.
This temple is famous for its strange stories of the sage Kalava, who had 360 daughters that were married to Lord Vishnu’s boar incarnation (Varaha) every day for a year. This gave rise to the notion that the Lord marries every day.
Devotees believe that worshipping here can help overcome any impediments to their own marriages because they see this as a sign of the universe’s auspicious unions. The temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, and the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of Tamil Nadu performs daily worship.
Simple and Personal Rituals
The temple is referred to by believers as the “Eternal Marriage Temple”, where the holy energy helps overcome astrological and spiritual obstacles, particularly those pertaining to Rahu-Ketu doshas, which are often cited in Vedic traditions as obstacles to marriage.
The most popular ritual includes completing nine circumambulations around the shrine after presenting two garlands—one to the god and another that the devotee carries on their back. Following the ritual, the garland is brought home, dried, and stored with care.
Couples usually return to the temple after getting married to offer the worn garlands to the holy Punnai tree, which is a sign that their vows have been fulfilled. Visitors share experiences of proposals and marriages that took place within months of real devotion, which strengthens the conviction that the temple has the power to transform lives.
Daily Worship and Festivals
Following the Tenkalai Vaishnava tradition, the temple performs four daily rituals for Nithyakalyana Perumal and his spouse, Komalavalli Thayar, including arati, prasad offerings, and decorations.
A large number of devotees visit the temple on special occasions like the Vaikuntha Ekadashi and Chittirai Brahmotsavam. The peaceful village becomes a place of celebration and shared faith during Brahmotsavam, when the gods are taken out on a palanquin for a procession around the temple.
Growing Spiritual Trend
Social media posts and word-of-mouth have increased the temple’s popularity outside of Tamil Nadu in recent years. Singles travel from Bengaluru, Chennai, and even far-off regions in hope and faith. However, visiting Nithyakalyana Perumal Temple does not guarantee results immediately. It may take a few days to several months for many devotees to find the right match after visiting the temple.
