Pachai Varana Perumal Temple, Agaramel – The Temple
The
Temple is east facing with single prakaram. This temple has a five-tier gopura
over the eastern entrance. There is four pillared Mandapam belongs to
Vijayanagar period is found in front of the Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is
called as Pachai Varana Perumal / Haritha Varana Perumal. The main deity of the
temple is Lord Vishnu along with Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. The idols of God and
two Goddesses in the main sanctum are in the sitting posture and are very big.
As Lord
Krishna took the form of green elephant, he got the name of Pachai Varna
Perumal in Tamil language and Haritha Vaarana Perumal in Sanskrit language,
which means "green colored". The Lord graces with four arms, the
right ones are holding the discus and showing abhaya, while the left arms are
holding conch and pointing to his divine feet. He graces under the Dharma Koti
Vimana.
The
handsome Utsava Idol of Perumal and Ubhaya Nachiyar in standing posture are
seen in front along with those of Andal and Sudarshana. The pillared passage
leading to this shrine, houses the idols of Ananthan, Garudan,
Vishvaksena, Swami
Ramanuja and many of the Azhwars & Acharyas. It is in this pillared pavilion
that the numerous mounts (vahanas) of the deity such as Garudan, Hanumantha,
Horse Elephant, Sesha and more which are in an excellent condition are
kept.
Opposite
to the main shrine, Garuda is present in a small shrine and the flag staff is
also present. Mother is called as Amruthavalli. The Mother Shrine is situated
to the right of the main shrine and the shrine dedicated to Andal is also seen
in this prakara. There is a mandapa in front of the Mother Shrine supported
by very slender, beautiful pillars which reveal the exquisite craftsmanship of
the master-artisans of the ancient Tamil Nadu.
There is
a separate shrine for Mudaliandan in the Temple. This shrine faces south, has the
stone moolavar and metal Utsava images of this famous preceptor seen here with
folded palms (Anjali Hastha). There is also a small shrine for Manavala Mamunigal in front of the Mudaliandan shrine facing east.
There is
shrine for Rama with Sita and Lakshmana beside him and a shrine for Utsava Idols
can be seen to the right of Rajagopuram after entering the Temple. There is a
separate shrine for Hanuman in this temple. Theertham associated with this
Temple is Dharma Pushkarini and it is situated diagonally opposite the temple.
