Friday, February 3, 2017

Azhagiyasingar Temple, Thiruvali – The Temple

Azhagiyasingar Temple, Thiruvali – The Temple
Azhagiyasingar temple covers an area of about 0.5 acres (0.20 hectares). The temple in enclosed in a rectangular enclosure with surrounded by granite walls. The central houses the image of the presiding deity, Azhagiyasingar facing west. The image is made of granite is sported in sitting posture, with Lakshmi seated on his lap on the right side. This posture is unique as usually the image of Lakshmi on Narasimhar temples are sculpted on the left side. The festival deity is named Thiruvali Nagaralan and the image is also housed in the sanctum.










A south facing shrine of Thirumangai Azhwar is located outside the temple walls, opposite to the Garuda Mandapam. It is believed that the image of Narasimhar in the temple is one among the five original images of Narasimha worshipped by Thirumangai Azhwar. The temple mast, the shrine of Garuda and a four pillared hall are located axial to the sanctum, outside the compound wall. The Vimana-tower above the Sanctum Sanctorum is known as Ashtakshara Vimana. 










Main Deity is called as Azhagiya Singar (Lakshmi Narasimhar) / Vayalali Manavalan and Mother is called as Pooranavalli / Amruthakadavalli. The presiding deity is also called by the names Lord Kalyana Ranganathan, as Lord was appeared in the form of a groom to Thirumangai azhwar. Theertham of the Temple is Ilaakshani Pushkarani. Sthala Vriksham is Bael Tree. The Utsavar is called as Thiruvaali Nagaraalan. The temple is a small one with a single prakaram. The other deities of the temple are sage Poornamaharishi, Azhwars, Saint Manavala Mamunigal, Thiruvaali Nagaraalan, Allathi Nikanchama Prajapathi etc.