Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur – The Temple

Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple, Thiruninravur – The Temple
The temple is east facing with 5-tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance and two precincts. The temple is large with huge praharams (enclosures) and stone compound walls. There are beautiful carvings on the ceiling at the entrance of Rajagopuram. Dwajasthambam, palipeedam are at the entrance of the temple. The main sanctum has Artha mandapam and Maha Mandapam. There is a Shrine for Yoga Narasimhar in the Artha mandapam.


Presiding Deity is called as Bhaktavatsala Perumal. Presiding Deity is in standing position facing east and is around 10 ft (3.0 m). He graces the devotees with his five weapons. The Utsavar (procession deity) is called Patharaavi Perumal is made of Panchaloka and is accompanied by two consorts as in most Vaishnavite temples. There is a Andal Nachiyar Utsava Idol located in front of the presiding deity.


The Vimana-tower above the sanctum sanctorum is called Utpala Vimana. A beautiful 4-pillared stone Mandapam in front of the sanctum has some wonderful carvings on the pillars. There is a separate shrine for Ennai Petra Thayar also called Sudhavalli, the consort of Bhaktavatsala Perumal. Mother Goddess is all merciful raining all prosperities to her devotees and is praised as Vaibhava Lakshmi. Thayar shrine is situated to the right of the sanctum.  


Paramapatha Vaasal is located on the Northern Prakaram. There is a 4-pillared stone Mandapam on the outer Prakaram, meant for Urchavams, with beautiful carvings. Divine serpent Adisesha has a special shrine in the temple. A pillar containing the figure of Narasimha is also considered to be a small shrine. There is a Anjaneyar Shrine opposite the temple, facing west. The beautiful temple chariot is parked there adjacent to Anjaneyar Shrine.


The temple also has separate shrines for AndalChakkarathzhwar, AzhwarsRamanuja, Manavala Mamunigal, Koorathalwan, Thirumangai Alwar Senai Mudalvar and Urchavar mandapam in the prakarams. The temple has a nice pond nearby, called Varuna Pushkarani, which is the Theertham for this temple. Another Theertham associated with this Temple is Vruthaksheera Nadhi. Sthala Vriksham is Parijatham.


There are 2 stone inscriptions on the north-east side of the temple, of which one dates back to 1917, where a lady from Chennai had donated her house to the temple, from which the temple shall raise funds to feed the pilgrims visiting the temple.


On the banks of a lake a few meters behind this temple is another temple for Rama. In this temple there is a statue of Hanuman lifting Rama and Lakshmana on his shoulders. The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department of Tamil Nadu government. The Pedda Jeeyar of Tirupathi is the permanent trustee of the temple.