Kari Krishna Perumal Temple, Thiruayarpadi – The
Temple
The
Temple has a three-tiered Rajagopuram with a newly built cement mandapam in
front. Presiding Deity is called as Kari Krishna Perumal. The Lord here is Swayambu
Murthy (self-evolved). Lord is in standing posture and he is facing North.
There is an ant hill present inside the temple. Usually, such ant hill can be
seen only in Amman temples. But this is the only Vishnu temple, has an ant
hill. The main deity is said to be evolved from this ant hill only.
The Lord
here is seen as a Yadhava (shepherd), with his right hand holding a shepherd’s
whip and left hand rested on the hip. The Lord has Amrutha Kalasam (bowl containing
celestial nectar) on his head. His right leg is slightly down on a pit
while his left leg is normal. Hence, one finds the moolavar in a standing
posture slanting slightly towards his right. The Lord does not have any Peetam
or base and seen standing on the floor, in a tilted posture with one of his leg
a bit away. Garuda is seen in front of the sanctum.
There
are two Dwaja sthambams one in front of the Ramar sannidhi and one in front of
the Krishna sannidhi. Mother is called as Soundaravalli Thayar. She is housed
in a separate shrine and she is in standing posture facing east. Another unique
feature at this temple is that Soundaravalli Thaayar is seen to the left of the
Kari Krishna Sannidhi like in a Shiva temple. In Vishnu temples, one normally
finds the Thaayar Sannidhi to the right of Moolavar deity.
Andal
sannidhi is situated behind the main temple. There is a separate shrine for
Lord Rama. Here Rama and Sita are present with Hanuman in front and the
Kodimaram behind. There are a lot of Mandapams inside the temple with various Vaishnava
saints. Shrines for Azhwar, Ramanujar and Manavala Mamuni can also be seen
in this Temple.
Outside
the temple is a mandapam, an architectural marvel with 16 stone pillars, all
slanting in different directions, built that way purposely, for the reason that
the main deity here is standing in a tilted position. It is an architectural
marvel that the ceiling is firmly in place in spite of these slanting pillars.
All the outer pillars are leaning outwards like the blooming petals of a flower.
The Sthala
Vriksham is Magizham. Another unique feature of this temple is that it is
surrounded by water in the front as well as the back of the temple. Behind the
Sanctum is Santhana Pushkarani said to be very sacred, especially for child
birth. In front of the temple, on the Northern side is the Arani River.
The
temple has a beautiful wooden chariot, which lies abandoned in the village
bazaar. The top portions of the wooden chariot have been completely vandalized.
The lower portions are relatively unspoilt, have exquisite carvings. These
represent scenes from the life of Krishna. There is also a piece that shows Kari
Krishna Perumal emerging from the termite hill with his slightly tilted leg.