Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Kariya Manicka Perumal Temple, Cheyyur – The Temple

Kariya Manicka Perumal Temple, Cheyyur – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Lord Vishnu along with his consorts Sridevi & Bhoodevi flanked by garuda. Nandavanam can be seen in the prakaram immediately after the entrance arch on the left side. Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be found immediately after the entrance arch in front of the mukha mandapam, facing towards the sanctum.

Shrine of Garudazhwar can be seen in the mukha mandapam, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapam is supported by intricately carved pillars with sculptures of Vira Hanuman, musicians and geometric motifs.

The sanctum enshrines the presiding deity, Kariya Manicka Perumal in standing posture along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhoodevi on either side. His upper hands holds the Sankha and Chakra and lower right hand shows abhaya hastha & lower left hand in kati hastha. Utsava idols can be seen in the antrala. Inscriptions can be seen on the base of the outer wall of the sanctum.

Mother is called as Perundevi Thayar. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated on the south west corner of the temple. There is an east facing shrine for Andal on the north west corner of the temple premises. There is a shrine for Hanuman in the temple premises. There is a shrine for Vinayaga on the left side of the entrance arch outside the temple.