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.
