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Sthalasayana Perumal Temple, (also called Thirukadalmallai) is located in Mahabalipuram. Constructed in the Pallava style of architecture, the temple is glorified in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, the early medieval Tamil canon of the Alvar saints from the 6th–9th centuries CE. It is one of the 108 Divya Desam dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Sthalasayana Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Nilamangai Thayar. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas, with later contributions from the Medieval Cholas, Vijayanagara kings, and Madurai Nayaks.
During the 14th century, the Vijayanagara king Parankusa shifted the temple to its current location away from the shore. He is believed to have built the four Mada streets around the temple.[2][9] The Shore Temple located on the shore is believed to be the original shrine housing two images of Shiva on either side of the image of Vishnu.
As per Hindu legend, once sage Pundarika was performing penance worshiping Vishnu at this place. He collected Tamarasa flowers and submitted it to view Vishnu in Ksirabdhi Natha form, his posture in Ocean of milk. He collected 1,008 flowers and in his intensity, he scooped out water also in full. Vishnu came in disguise in the form of an old sage and asked him for food. Pundarika went to acquire food for the old man, but while returning he found that Vishnu remained in the place. Since Vishnu stayed in this place, he was called Sthalasayana Perumal. The legend is sanctified by Bhoothath Alvar in his verses in Naalayira Divya Prabandham.
The temple is one of the 32 Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram that are declared as UN world heritage sites.
Source: Wiki
