Arani, a small town in Thiruvallur District, has a temple for Vishnu dedicated to Adikesava Perumal. This east-facing temple has a modern gopuram constructed only up to the entrance level. On entering the circumambulatory passage (prakaram), are two sanctums on the left, for two Srivaishnava preceptors (Acharyas), Ramanujacharya and Thirukkachi Nambi.
Opposite these shrines, to the right of the entrance is the Kalyana mandapam. On the lintel above the door leading to the sanctum is a short Tamil inscription giving the date of consecration which took place about a hundred years ago. This epigraph is etched around the small images of Perumal flanked by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi, just as they are seen in the principal sanctum.
The presiding deity, Adikesava Perumal is in a standing posture with Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on either side enshrined under the Vedanga Vimanam. The image has the sankha and chakra in the upper hands and with the lower right hand in abhaya hasta (blessing devotees) and left hand resting on the waist (kati-hasta).
Thirukkachi Nambi, the preceptor of Ramanujacharya receives special importance in this temple. Stone and metal images of this Acharya are in worship in the mandapam in front of the main sanctum as well as in a shrine near the main entrance.
Goddess Lakshmi in this temple is worshipped as Adi Lakshmi. Other deities here are Lakshmi Hayagriva, Navaneetha Krishna, Lakshmi Narayana, Vishvaksena and Andal. The sanctum for Sudarsana, the personification of the chakra of Vishnu, is seen in the pose of striding forward with multiple arms holding various weapons. The rear side of Sudarsana has the image of Narasimha holding the sankha and chakra. The pedestal on which Narasimha is seated is unique as it has the images of Brahma and Rudra, both standing with their hands in anjali hasta worshipping Yoga Narasimha.
Chithra Madhavan
cityexpresschn@gmail.com
The writer is a historian who focuses on temple architecture