CHENNAI: One among the numerous temples in Sowcarpet is the Vishnu shrine dedicated to Aranganatha Svami (Ranganatha) at Mulla Street. The main image here is Aranganatha reclining on five-hooded Adisesha with Brahma emanating from his navel and goddesses Sridevi and Bhudevi seen behind him.
This deity is small in size compared to the famous image of Ranganathasvami in Srirangam temple, but here, in Sowcarpet, the deity has four hands while in Srirangam, the idol has two hands. In Mulla Street temple, Aranganatha is seen holding the discus (Sudarsana chakra) and the conch (Panchajanya) in the upper hands. The lower right hand is in Abhaya hasta, reassuring his devotees and the lower left hand rests on the thigh.
Incidentally, Aranganatha in Sowcarpet faces north, while Ranganathasvami in Srirangam faces south. Just like in Srirangam, the vimana above the Aranganatha sanctum is called Ranga Vimana or Pranavakara Vimana. In the main sanctum is an important bronze idol of Parthasarathi Svami which was kept in the Parthasarathi Svami temple, Tiruvallikeni (Triplicane) and subsequently brought here for worship.
Goddess Lakshmi in a separate shrine is worshipped as Aranganayaki (Ranganayaki) Thayar. Rama in this temple is seen not only with Sita and Lakshmana, but also with Bharata and Shatrughna. The bows of Rama and Lakshmana have been intricately carved with small bells dangling from them. The processional deities of the Rama group are unique. While Rama and Lakshmana hold bows as usual, Bharata holds the fan (chamara) while Shatrughna holds the royal umbrella (chhatra). Hanuman kneels in front of Rama with hands outstretched, holding a platter which has the holy feet of Rama.