Thirukalvanur Divya Desam - Adivaraha Perumal

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Adivaraha Perumal at Thirukalvanur who was lovingly called Kalva (thief) by Devi Lakshmi when he secretly came to meet her at the Kamakshi temple of Kanchipuram.

• Thirukalvanur Divya Kshetra: Thirukalvanur is a Divya Desam whose glory was sung by Thirumangai Alvar. Thirukalvanur is situated within the premises of the Kamakshi temple of Kanchipuram. The name Thirukalvanur is derived from Kalva meaning thief in Tamil, because Devi Lakshmi lovingly addressed the Lord as Kalva when he secretly came to meet her at the Kanchi Kamakshi temple. There is a legend behind this event.

• Devi Lakshmi coming to Kanchi Kamakshi temple: During the samudra manthana (churning of the milky ocean), the halahala poison darkened the hue of Lord Vishnu who was present there as Kurma Avatara bearing the Mandara mountain on his back. As destined by Leela, Devi Lakshmi slighted the Lord for his dark hue (perhaps jokingly); and in turn the Lord cursed the goddess to lose her beauty. Devi Lakshmi prayed to Devi Kamakshi of Kanchipuram. Devi Kamakshi told her to stay at the Gayatri mandapam of the temple; where in due course her beauty will be regained when the devotees offer kumkuma to her (which they receive from the Kamakshi shrine). Devi Lakshmi thus regained her beauty in course of time.

• Lord Vishnu coming to Kanchi Kamakshi temple: Lord Vishnu now started searching for Devi Lakshmi and secretly came to the Gayatri mandapam of the Kamakshi temple. The goddess recognised him and lovingly called her as Kalva (meaning thief). The name of the Divya Desam is thus called Thirukalvanur.

• Image: The image of Lord Vishnu with four hands facing east is seen in a pillar within the Kamakshi temple.

• Thirukalvanur is located in Kanchipuram in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu.

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