History of the place

Once in Vaikundam (abode of Mahavishnu and Maha Lakshmi) the Lord and the Mother discussedabout the good and bad qualities of humans and also about beauty and personality. Mother Mahalakshmi was proud about Her beauty and fair complexion and made fun about the Lord's dark complexion. Lord smilingly advised the Mother about the illusions of beauty. As the Mother did not heed to the Lord's advice, He cursed Her to become formless. Realising Her mistake, She asked Him the way to relief. Lord Vishnu advised Her to perform penance at Kanchipuram where Mother Parvathi too performed penance on Lord Ekambareswarar. The Mother got Her original form back superlatively beautiful that drew Lord Vishnu Himself. He saw Her hiding, without Her knowledge and hence called Kalva Perumal. (Kalvan means 'hiding like a thief' in Tamil language). The other story is that Lord Vishnu was listening to a conversation between Mothers Kamakshi and Mahalakshmi on the banks of Pancha Theertha hiding from behind from which he is called Kalva Perumal.

Saints who worshiped

Mangalasaasanam (hymns) by Thirumangai Azhwar. This is the 55th divya desam.

Speciality of this temple

The presiding deity graces in standing posture under Vamana vimana. While the Lord graces on a wall right of the Gayatri Mandap facing southeast direction, on the left wall graces Mother Mahalakshmi only with two hands worshipping the Lord that atrributes to Her shedding Her pride. Mother Mahalakshmi also graces without a form (Aroopa - formless) in another wall behind Kamakshi sanctum. It appears as if the form is split. People worship with kumkum on this form so that they would conquer pride caused by a beautiful complexion. Devotees have to worship Lord Kalva Perumal and Mother Mahalakshmi only after worshipping the Aroopa Lakshmi Thayar. Abisheka to Kalva Perumal is performed only with an oil called Sambiranai Thailam. According to a story, Emperor Dasaratha worshipped Mother Kamakshi and Kalva Perumal before performing the yajna seeking Son boon. Sage Durvasa, though a Lord Shiva devotee had worshipped Lord Kalva Perumal. Though this temple belongs to Kamakshi Amman, she rules with due respect to her elder Brother Kalva Perumal. Devotees sit and worhship in this mandap. Brothers and sisters are advised to worship Mother Kamakshi, the sister and Lord Perumal, the brother simultneoulsy for cordial relationship.

Pariharam

People believe that worshipping Lord Vishnu and Mother together would bring them prosperity and growth in professions.

Pariharam Procedure

Specila pujas and curd rice nivedhanaa are suggested as prayer commitments.