Famous Temples in India

Architecture

The Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. Presiding Deity is called as Veera Narayanan, He is housed in the sanctum in standing posture facing east. He is gracing the devotees with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Utsava idols are Rajagopalan with Rukmini & Satyabhama, Nithya Utsava Perumal (Kattum Mannanar / Azhagiya Mannar / Sundara Gopalan) and Prarthana Perumal (Shenbaga Mannanar with Sridevi and Bhoodevi). Mother is called as Maragatha Valli Thayar. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Utsava idol is Shengamala Valli / Hemabja Nayaki. Lord Veera Narayana Shrine is situated in the middle, Natha Muni Sannidhi (facing South) to his left, Alavanthan Sannidhi (facing North) to his right (exactly opposite to Nathamuni Sannidhi) and with Maragathavalli Thayar Sannidhi to his right between the Nathamuni and Alavanthan Sannidhi In the Nathamuni Sannidhi, one finds his disciples at their Acharya’s feet ready to serve him. There are 5 wells inside the temple and an expansive garden, which Nathamunigal maintained for his daily poojas to Sri Veera Narayana Perumal. There are shrines for Varaha and Narasimha in the Temple premises.

Inscriptions - There are several inscriptions relating to Kattu Mannar Koil and its history that can be found both inside this temple as well as in other temples in this region. Inscriptions relating to Chola period refer to this place as Veera Narayanan Vinnagaram, while during the times of Sundarapandyan this was called Mannanar. Krishna Deva Raya, who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, referred to the Lord as Azhagiya Mannanar. At the Kattu Mannar Koil, one can find inscriptions, on the temple walls, relating to the time of Kulothunga Chola-I. During his rule, this place was referred to as Veera Narayana Puram. Sadyavarman Sundara Pandiyan who ruled between 1250 and 1274 is said to have undertaken extensive renovation of the Kattu Mannar Koil.