Keelkattalai Srinivasa Perumal Temple
Padmavati Samatha Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Keelkattalai, a southern suburban locality of Chennai, is a new temple. There is no history or architectural significance. However, certain unique features of the temple lead me to write this article.
In Vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu, we generally cannot find Ganesha. Visvaksena, the elephant-faced Vaishnavite icon, is typically mistaken for Ganesha. However, in this temple, Ganesha is found in a separate shrine, which is as big as the main shrine.
Another unique feature of the temple is the position of Navagrahas. Navagrahas are unusual for a Vishnu temple in Tondai region, but it is not uncommon. What makes this temple unique is how each planet (graha) is positioned. Usually, Surya takes the central position and the other eight grahas surround him; the direction of each graha would be different and they do not face each other. In the temples in Chola region (and in very few temples outside Chola region), Surya takes the central position and all other planets face Surya, thus forming a circle. This temple does not follow either of the above-mentioned patterns. Here, Surya is in the middle and all other eight planets form a circle; but all of them face the opposite direction, thus showing their back to Surya. This positioning of Navagrahas makes this temple unique.
The east-facing sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Srinivasa Perumal. He is in the standing posture; he has four arms and his iconography resembles Tirupati Balaji. Garuda, flag staff and bali peetha are found in the opposite direction of the sanctum.
The founder of the temple had a dream in which the Nepal King presented a garland made of Saligrama beads to the presiding deity. This person wrote to the King about his dream. The King considered this as a blessing and gifted a Saligrama Mala. Thus, the dream became a reality.
Padmavati Thayar, the Goddess, is found in a separate shrine. She is in a seated posture and has four arms. This sculpture is a masterpiece.
Sudarshana with Yoga Narasimha on the backside, Rama-Sita-Lakshmana and Anjaneya in anjali mudra are few other deities found in the temple.
Happy travelling.
In Vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu, we generally cannot find Ganesha. Visvaksena, the elephant-faced Vaishnavite icon, is typically mistaken for Ganesha. However, in this temple, Ganesha is found in a separate shrine, which is as big as the main shrine.
Another unique feature of the temple is the position of Navagrahas. Navagrahas are unusual for a Vishnu temple in Tondai region, but it is not uncommon. What makes this temple unique is how each planet (graha) is positioned. Usually, Surya takes the central position and the other eight grahas surround him; the direction of each graha would be different and they do not face each other. In the temples in Chola region (and in very few temples outside Chola region), Surya takes the central position and all other planets face Surya, thus forming a circle. This temple does not follow either of the above-mentioned patterns. Here, Surya is in the middle and all other eight planets form a circle; but all of them face the opposite direction, thus showing their back to Surya. This positioning of Navagrahas makes this temple unique.
The east-facing sanctum enshrines the presiding deity Srinivasa Perumal. He is in the standing posture; he has four arms and his iconography resembles Tirupati Balaji. Garuda, flag staff and bali peetha are found in the opposite direction of the sanctum.
The founder of the temple had a dream in which the Nepal King presented a garland made of Saligrama beads to the presiding deity. This person wrote to the King about his dream. The King considered this as a blessing and gifted a Saligrama Mala. Thus, the dream became a reality.
Padmavati Thayar, the Goddess, is found in a separate shrine. She is in a seated posture and has four arms. This sculpture is a masterpiece.
Sudarshana with Yoga Narasimha on the backside, Rama-Sita-Lakshmana and Anjaneya in anjali mudra are few other deities found in the temple.
Happy travelling.
.JPG)
Namaskaram, this is a wonderful temple with all the religious kramas followed through the year. There are other founder members but the one mentioned in this blog is Late.Sri.Sarangapani Iyengar (my father) following his dreams, wrote to the Nepal King who kindly sent the shalagrama bead which then adorned Sri Srinivasa Perumal as a garland. On Namo NARAYANAYA
ReplyDeleteThank you sir for the information.
DeleteTiming
ReplyDeleteAround 7 am in the morning.
Delete