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 Andal, Chakkarathzhwar, Azhwars, Ramanuja, 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.
