Thiruchendur Murugan Temple – Venkatesa Perumal Shrine
As the corner is reached, there is on the northern prakaram,
the Vishnu shrine of Venkatesa. Shrines to Vishnu within ancient Saivite
temples are commonly to be met with in the south of India, as in Chidambaram,
Rameswaram, Perur, Thiruchengodu, Sikkil and other places.
This Vishnu shrine is hollowed out of the rock itself,
as a portion of the red sandstone is still to be seen jutting out within and on
the outer side. Venkatesa Perumal is seen in a standing posture and facing the
East. Adjacent to and within a carved grotto is Gaja Lakshmi, and immediately
next is another with Palli-konda Ranganatha in a recumbent posture. Sri Devi,
Bhudevi and Nizha Devi are at his sides. Brahma appears on a lotus from his
navel.
The statuesque figures of the twelve Vaishnavite Azhvaars
are installed in this crowded shrine. Vaishnavite archakas are in service, and,
pujas are conducted here four times in the day. The outer walls of the shrine
have been beautified with writings of select hymns from the Nalayira
Dhivya Prabandha.
