Thiruvazhmarban Temple, Thiruvanparisaram – The Temple
Thiruvazhmarban
temple covers an area of about 2 acres (0.81 hectares) and has a
five-tiered gopuram (gateway tower). The temple in enclosed in a
rectangular enclosure surrounded by granite walls. Presiding Deity is called as
Thiru Vazh Marban / Tirukuralappan. The central shrine houses the image of the
presiding deity, Thiruvazhmarban in sitting posture facing east. Lord Tiruvazh
Marban (Lord in whose chest Mother Mahalakshmi-Goddess of Wealth resides)
graces devotees with his four hands, one assuring safety (Abhayahastha) and
holding the conch and discus in other hands.
The 9
feet tall idol is made of a material called Kadu Sarkarai Yogam, a mixture of
stone and lime and coated with a glue made with sugar and mustard. Hence, no
abishek is performed to the presiding deity, only to the procession deity. The
deity had a crown made of Gold and adorned with diamonds and other precious
stones. This was stolen and the thief cut it into multiple pieces. The
authorities caught the thief and the booty was recovered, but to this day, it
is lying in the same state.
Mother
is called as Kamalavalli Nachiyar. As Mother has her place in the chest of the
Lord Himself, there is no separate shrine for Thayar. Perumal is
wearing a gold chain with a dollar embossed with the figure of Mother
Mahalakshmi. Mother is generally found on the right side of the heart of Lord
Vishnu is found on the left side of this Vishnu. Vimanam of this temple is
Indra Kalyana Vimanam. Surrounding the presiding deity, the images of
Saptharishis are present.
The
images of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are located to the right of the presiding deity.
The image of Thiruvazhmarban is made of a compound of lime and granite. The
sanctum also houses the images of Vishwaksenara, Kulasekara Azhwar, Nataraja and Sivakami. The festival deity, Lord Srinivasa
with Sridevi & Bhoodevi is made of Panchaloka and all the ablution
related worship practices are done only for festival deity.
The
shrines of Garuda, Lord Rama, Lakshman and Goddess Sita with Lord
Anjaneya, Sage Agasthya, Lord Shiva, Vibishana, Saptha Rishis, Nammalvar, Ramanuja, Vedanta
Desika and Azhwars & Acharyas are found in the second precinct. The
temple tank, Soma Theertham is located outside the main shrine. A hall named
Kalyana Vimana Mandapa located near the tank houses paintings depicting Dasavathara, the ten avatars of Vishnu.
The
Theertham of this temple is called as Lakshmi Theertham. Sthalavruksham of this
temple are Neem Tree and Arasu Maram. Banyan tree is found near the Lakshmi
Theertham, which is capable of curing diseases and it is also said to be the
Hamsa of the Perumal.