Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Thirumazhisai – The Temple
The
temple is built in Dravidian architecture occupies around 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) and has
two precincts. The temple has a rectangular plan surrounded by 10 ft
(3.0 m) high walls, pierced by a five-tier gopuram, the gateway tower. Dwajasthambam, Palipeedam and a
short deepa sthambam are situated immediately after the 5 tier Rajagopuram. Presiding
Deity is called as Jagannatha Perumal.
The
presiding deity housed in the east facing sanctum, is an image made of granite
seen in seated posture with his right leg bent and left leg left hanging. The
images of Rukmini and Satyabhama are located on either of his sides. All the three
idols are big, wide, and gigantic, and they are in sitting posture. The idols
of the saints Markandeya and Brighu are also seen in the sanctum itself.
Urchavars
of Jagannatha Perumal with Satyabhama and Rukmini, Brugu maharishi and
Markandeya maharishi are in front of moolavar. Other Urchavars are kept in
Arthamandapam. The walls of the temple have the niche images of Ganesh, Vishnu
and Vaishnavi. Near the sanctum, next to the shrine of Tirumazhisai Alwar,
there is a shrine for Kannan (Krishna). The idol is too beautiful.
The
shrine of Garuda facing Jagannatha Perumal, the eagle mount of
Vishnu, is located axial to the central shrine. The central shrine is
approached through Mahamandapam, the worship hall and a narrow Ardha mandapam.
The Mahamandapam has a twenty-eight-pillared hall with sculptured pillars
depicting Vaishnava mythology. The flag post is located behind the shrine of
Garuda, axial to the central shrine and the gateway tower.
There are
images of Azhwars in the worship hall on both sides. The vimana, tower above
the sanctum sanctorum is called Jagannatha Vimana. The vimana, has stucco images of Hayagriva, Lakshmi
Narasimha and Garuda. The northern side of the Mahamandapam has the shrine
of Thirumalisai Azhwar, which houses the image of the Azhwar in seated posture
facing south with his hands sported with praying gesture. A special feature is
that he is seen with a third eye.
Mother
is called as Thirumangaivalli and her shrine is situated in the second
precinct. There are other shrines in the temple dedicated to Lakshmi Narasimha,
Manavala Mamunigal and Andal. Lord Vinayaka graces on the wall of the sanctum
sanctorum with the two serpent planets Rahu and Ketu on his belly. Devotees
pray here for relief from the adverse aspects of these planets. Special pujas
are performed in the shrine on Vinayaka Chaturthi day.
There is
a four-pillared hall in front of the gopuram having sculpted images in the
pillars from the Vijayanagara period. There is a Kalayana Mandapa, Vahana
Mandapa for housing the divine vehicles and a Paramapada Vasal. Sthala Vriksham
is Parijatham. There is a huge temple tank called Brugu
Pushkarini on the Eastern side of the temple that is currently brimming with
water.
