Introduction

Sri Lakshmi Narayana temple is a significant temple located in the core of Nirvalur. The small village of Sri Lakshmi Narayana is located a few kilometers off the Chennai-Bangalore national highway. More specifically it is between the holy and historic towns of Kanchipuram and Sriperumbudur is situated the small village of Nirvalur, once venerated as a prosperous Srivaishnava settlement and home to a Vishnu temple dedicated to Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal. The presiding deity enshrined in the temple is also known as Veetrirunda Perumal. This village was once known as Bhashyapuram or Sri Bhashyapuram after the name of illustrious preceptor, Sri Ramanuja, reverentially referred to as Bhashyakarar. This small shrine was founded in 1503 by Sri Shashtha Parankusa Yatindra Maha Desikan, the sixth pontiff (Jiyar) of the Ahobila Math who also lived in this place for a few years. Hence the small village of Nirvalur is venerated as a sacrosanct and the temple of Lord Sri Lakshmi Narayana has attached sanctity to the traditional place.

Legend of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple, Nirvalur

The legends of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Temple adds to the grandeur of the temple. The legendary stories also point to the majestic history of the temple along with its religious and cultural significance.

Architecture of Sri Lakshmi Narayana temple, Nirvalur

The architecture of Sri Lakshmi Narayana temple and the proper placement of the images points to the architectural excellence of the contemporary artists. The single prakara temple does not have a separate shrine assigned for goddess Lakshmi. Moreover an unfinished gopura also points to the architectural craftsmanship of the artists.

The structural design and the artistic design on the temple walls clearly testify the excellent artistry of the contemporary era. The principal image (moolavar) of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal enshrined in the sanctum is in a sitting posture, facing east, flanked by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi in a seated posture is the principal architectural specimen of the period. The deity holds the conch (sankha) and discus (chakra) in His upper left and right hands respectively while His lower right hand is in abhaya hasta, assuring protection to His worshippers and lower left palm rests on a mace (gada).

The posture of the deity is immensely captivating and is the chief attraction about the temple. The utsava murti in this sanctum is Srinivasa Perumal is no less fascinating. It is placed in a standing posture in the boon conferring pose (varada hasta), which is flanked by His two consorts or Ubhaya Nachiyar. The unique and awe-inspiring bronze image of Ugra Narasimha tearing the demon Hiranyakashipu placed on his lap seen in this shrine evokes the legendary significance of the Temple. This image of Lord Srinivasa Perumal was also installed by this preceptor. The other bronze images here are the images of Andal, Selvar and Kalinga Narthana Krishna. There are also images of the ancient preceptors and lords like Nammazhvar, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika and Adivan Sathakopa (the first pontiff of the Ahobila Mutt) in this temple. The vimana above the main shrine is called the Jayakoti Vimanam, which is highly venerated by the devotees.

Festivals of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal temple, Nirvalur

The festivals, which are observed in Sri Lakshmi Narayana Temple, conform to the legend of the Temple. A few important festivals like Tiru Adi Puram and the Sri Rama Navami Utsavam are celebrated in this tiny temple, which follows the Pancharatra mode of worship. The main festival of this temple is the Tiru Avatara Utsavam, which is in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February) and coincides with the original date of the installation of this deity. During the festival, a number of deities flocked around the Temple precincts, to offer their worship to the Temple.