The small town of Thiruvadhigai is home to many temples, two of which are dedicated to Vishnu. One of them is the Saranarayana Perumal temple. It is believed that God Vishnu gave the arrow (saram) to Siva to destroy demons (Tripura dahanam) and hence the name.
The majestic image of Saranarayana Perumal, approximately nine feet high is in a standing posture, holding the Sankha and Chakra in the upper hands while the lower right hand offers protection to devotees (abhaya hasta) and the lower left hand rests on the mace (gada). To the right of Perumal is Sri Devi (Lakshmi) and to the left is Sage Markandeya kneeling down. Perumal is said to have married Lakshmi, the daughter of Markandeya Maharishi here.
There are several rare features in this temple. Enshrined in a small sanctum is Narasimha in a unique reclining posture on Adisesha and therefore known as Sayana Narasimha. He is believed to have rested here after vanquishing the demon Vakrasura at Thiruvakkarai (approximately 40 km from Thiruvadhigai).
Many festivals are celebrated here one of which is the procession of the utsava-murti of Trivikarama Perumal (Vishnu) from Thirukovilur (Villupuram District) on the fourth day before the Masi Magam festival (February-March) and staying in this temple overnight. The Brahmotsavam (annual festival) is unique. While in most temples this festival is celebrated for ten days, here the Brahmotavam in Purattasi (September-October) is for only one day when twelve processions are held in various vahanams, including the chariot (ther) utsavam. Another unique feature of this temple is that the main deity is decorated as the famous Lord of Thirumala on all thirty days of Purattasi.
The wooden Garuda vahana (mount) which carries the processional image of Vishnu during festivals is usually seen with two outstretched hands. In this temple is an unique Garuda vahana with four hands (chaturbhuja).
Name of deity
The processional image is worshipped as Govinda Vinnagarappan
Unique festival
The Brahmotsavam (annual festival) is only for one day
Goddess Lakshmi
This deity is called Hemambhujavalli Thayar and also as Senkamalavalli Thayar (Potramaraikodiyal)
Chithra Madhavan
cityexpresschn@gmail.com
The writer is a historian who focuses on temple architecture