Vaikunta Vasa Perumal Temple, Nemili – The Temple
The
temple has no Rajagopuram at present. However, the remnants of the Rajagopuram,
which existed in the past or was left unfinished, are found at the entrance. The
temple is under the administration of Thiruthani HR & CE is planning for a
Raja Gopuram to be built. The main sanctum houses the large image of
Vaikuntavasa Perumal in a seated posture on Adisesha under the Pushpakoti
Vimana facing east.
Also
known as Veetrirunda Perumal, the deity holds the sankha (conch) and the
prayoga chakra (discus ready to be hurled at the foes of his loyal devotees).
The lower right hand is positioned in abhaya, which assures protection, while
two fingers of the left hand hold a single grain of rice. Seated on either side
of the deity are Goddesses Sridevi and Bhudevi. He wears big Thiruman on his
forehead like the Lord in Tirumala.
The
idols of the Lord and his Consorts have been carved out of a single stone
block, according to the authorities. The Utsava deity Nithya Kalyana Perumal is
seen with flowers and a bracelet. There are also shrines for Garudazhwar, Lord
Vinayaga and Lord Anjaneya in the Temple premises. There are also idols of
Venugopalan, Chakrathazhwar and Kalinga Nardana Krishna in the Temple premises.
Kalinga
Nardana Krishna has been exquisitely crafted. Unlike other Kalinga Nardana
Krishna idols, the image of Kaaliyan with folded hands is found at the centre
of the hood of the serpent king. The Lord, who dances on his head, holds his
tail by his left hand. A huge sacred fig tree (Arasa maram in Tamil) was in the
prakaram.
