Famous Temples in India

Architecture

The temple is located on the banks of the beautiful river Tamirabarani and the river is located on the backside of the temple. The temple is facing the east direction and has a stunningly colorful five tier tower (Raja Gopuram). There is another tower found after entering into the entrance. The area between both the towers is full of pillars with beautiful carvings. At the entrance of the Ardha Mandapa, the sculptures of Dwarapalas are found to be huge in size. As usual, the sub-shrine of Garuda, flag staff and Bali peetha are found facing the main shrine. The main shrine is built as per 'maada kovil' architectural style. Hence, the main shrine is found on a raised platform and you can reach that by climbing up few steps. Also, as per this architectural style, there is a front side mandapa with carved pillars. The vimana called as 'Indira Vimana' and the back side wall of the main shrine are artistically beautiful. The temple has two prakaras, the outer prakara is an open space found with trees and plants. The inner prakara has the shrines of Goddesses - Therku Nachiyar (Lakshmi) and Vadakku Nachiyar (Bhoo Devi). Also, the idols of ten Avatars of Vishnu - Dasavatharam, Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama, a sub shrine of Paramapatha Nathar - a stucco idol of Vishnu in the sitting posture are all found in the inner prakara. In Maha Mandapa, the sub-shrines of Andal and Vishwaksenar are found. Near Garuda's idol, Chakkarathalwar with Narasimha holding four discuses on his back side and the sub-shrine of Hanuman are located. The temple is full of beautiful carvings. Many of them depict Dasavathara scenes or the scenes related to Gajendra Moksha legend. A rock inside the temple tank referred to as the Elephant Rock, reference to the Gajendra Moksham episode having taken place in the foot of the Pothigai hills and the presence of Sage Agastya inside the moolavar sannidhi are believed to be indications of this temple’s association with the legendary event.

Inscriptions : There are several inscriptions inside the temple that date back a 1000 years. During the rule of Kulotunga-I (1100AD) a portion of fields of Athalanallur was separated and granted as a tax free Devadana land. During that period, Athalanallur was referred to as a hamlet of Cheran Maha Devi and the Gajendra Varadar temple was referred to as ‘Moymam Pooumbolil’ Azhvaar temple. During the rule of Jatavarama Srivallabha Pandya there was a gift of land for conduct of worship on Puratadhi day at Athalanallur. The queen of the place has been mentioned as Uagamuludu Mudaiyaal. There were five sacred offerings to the Lord each day as organised by the assembly of Cheran Maha Devi during the rule of Maravarma Pandya. One of the inscriptions refers to the land originally held by the temple for this purpose as lying waste due to petty quarrels. There is also a record of gift of one achchu by Emberumanar Ammai for providing offering to the God and providing from that prasadam to the servants and worshippers of Emberumanar in the temple. The Vaishnavas in the temple received the achchu and agreed to maintain the charity.