Dasavathara Temple, Srirangam – The Temple
This is the only temple for all the
ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, located on the banks of Coloroon (Kollidam) River. This is an east
facing small temple with a 3-tiered Rajagopuram. The temple is administered by
Ahobila Mutt. The Sanctum has the idols of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu -
Matsya (Fish), Koorma (Tortoise), Varaha (Swine with one horn on the nose) and
Narasimha (partially lion and partially human) are with disc and conch only
without any other weapons. Vamana Avathara (dwarf Brahmmachari) is with an
umbrella. Parasurama has his battle-axe. Lord Sri Rama has his bow and arrow.
Balarama holds Plough.
Lord Sri Krishna is in a dancing form with butter in one
hand. Kalki sitting on the horse has sword and the Kedayam a disc to prevent
enemy’s sword. All the Idols are small. One can see Matsya, Koorma, Varaha
and Narasimha Moolavar deities with conch and chakra at this temple. Commander
of the Vishnu army, Vishwaksenar also is in the sanctum. Lord Lakshminarayana,
worshipped by Thirumangai Azhwar is the procession deity of the temple.
Though more than one procession deities are seen in
temples generally, there is only one procession deity in this temple – Lord Sri
Lakshmi Narayana. Lakshmi Narayana is seen with his left hand around Thaayar.
On the pedestal of the Utsava deity is Garuda who is surrounded by 8 different
statues. There is a special shrine for Saint Tirumangai Azhwar. While the
temple is East Facing, the adjacent Thirumangai Azhvaar’s Sannidhi is South
Facing so he could have darshan of the Dasavatharam Lords as well as Lord
Ranganatha.
Thirumangai Azhvaar (Moolavar) himself is seen with his
hands folded in a Saranagathi (Surrender) posture while the Utsava deity is
seen in a King (Thirumangai Mannan) like majestic posture with Knife, Sword,
Shield and Sickle. The Utsava idol of Thirumangai is said to have been created
by Thirumangai himself. The Temple also houses the Thirumaaligai where
Thirumangai Azhwar lived while he built the prakara walls of Srirangam Ranganatha
Swamy Temple. Thirumangai Azhvaar’s residence still exists at 26 North Chitra
Street.
The monuments of the 44th
pontiff of Ahobila Mutt Jeer Sri Adhi Van Sadagopa
Yatheentra Mahadesigan and his Guru 41st Pontiff Srimad Azhagia
Singar Srivan Sadagopa Lakshmi Narasimha Sri Sadagopa Yatheentra Mahadesikan
are respectfully formed in the temple as special shrines. These are praised as
Tiruvarasu (Jeeva Samadhi – where they shed their mortal coils. In the 2nd tier
below the Vimanam, there is a sculpture of Lakshmi Narasimha as well as an
Oonjal Chain - an indication that there may have been an Oonjal Utsavam at this
temple.
The sub-shrine of Desikan are also located in this small
temple. The walls of the Dasavatharam Sannidhi, the Prakarams and the structure
of the tower are an indication of the history of this temple. A notable feature
is the rectangular shaped Vimanam of this temple. Yet another unique
feature is that there are 10 Kalasam for the 10 Dasavatharam Idols.
