Nazarethpettai, a quiet area close to the every-busy Poondamallee, is home to a Vishnu temple dedicated to Harita Varana Perumal (called Pacchai Varana Perumal in Tamil). In the main east-facing shrine, Harita Varana Perumal is seen in a seated pose with consorts, Goddesses Sri Devi and Bhu Devi on either side. The pillared passage leading to this sanctum has images of Garuda, Vishvaksena (the leader of the army of Vishnu), Ramanujacharya (the famous preceptor of Vaishnavism who lived in the Chola times) and many of the Azhvars (twelve important devotees of Vishnu).
Nazarethpettai was the birthplace of Mudaliyandan, also known as Dasarathi, nephew and disciple of Ramanujacharya, who was born in 1027 A.D. Of particular importance in this temple is a separate sanctum for Mudaliyandan, which has the stone and metal images of this famous Vaishnavite preceptor.
He, along with Kurathazhvan, who was a prominent student of Ramnuja, rendered yeoman services to their teacher. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in this temple as Amritavalli Thayar. There is a mandapa in front of the Thayar sanctum supported by very slender, beautiful pillars which reveal the exquisite craftsmanship of the master-artisans of the ancient Tamil country.
A sanctum for Andal is also seen nearby. The architectural features of the Harita Varana Perumal temple, which is of moderate proportions, bespeak workmanship of the Chola and Vijayanagara eras, which were of unsurpassed architectural grandeur in South India.
A five-tier gopuram is at the eastern entrance and to its right is the sanctum for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. In front of the gopuram is a four-pillar mandapa of the Vijayanagara age. The annual festival (Brahmotsavam) of this temple is in the Tamil month of Panguni (mid-March to mid-April).
Chithra Madhavan
cityexpresschn@gmail.com
The writer is a historian who focuses on temple architecture