Image: 11th century Bhaktavatsala temple, Cheranmahadevi Tamil Nadu India - 9

Description: The temple is known by several names: Cheranmahadevi, Cheranmadevi, Seramadevi, Serannamadevi, Sriramadevi, Chaturvedi Mangalam, Bhaktavatchala, Bhaktavatsala, Bhakthavatsala and in inscriptions as Ramaswami temple. It is a Vishnu temple built during the reign of Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044 CE) according to its inscriptions, expanded significantly in the 12th-century. It is one of the 108 divya desams and an active house of Hindu worship. The temple is located about 4 kilometer to the north of the village Cheranmahadevi or Cheranmadevi, midst paddy fields, close to the right bank of river Tamraparni. The temple is about 30 kilometers west of Tirunelveli city (NH 44). The river has numerous other less studied historic Vishnu, Shiva and Devi Hindu temples all along it, dotted over a length of 25 kilometers. The temple complex includes several shrines, including those for Vishnu, his avatars such as Bala Krishna as well one for Bhudevi. Some are from the times of the Pandyas, others from the Cholas. New walls were added and periphery fort-like boundary erected after the 15th-century, creating a cloistered mandapa and narrow walkways outside the sanctum walls. There are a lot of inscriptions on the lower layers of some walls. The ten incarnations are depicted in the temple artwork, along with secular scenes and devotees. Of particular interest are the reliefs for Yoga Narasimha and dressed up women devotees. The pillars and pilasters near and of the sanctum in particular, are finely carved. The temple vimana and superstructure feature Hindu gods and goddesses from various traditions, of which Vishnu avatar are most prominent and common. The main shrine has Garbhagriha, ardha mandapa, maha mandapa and an exterior circumambulation mandapa (somewhat damaged). The smaller shrine dedicated to Krishna has a mandapa and sanctum as well. The main shrine includes a Garuda monument facing the sanctum. The original entrance was east, but now one enters the periphery boundary wall from the west side. The site is a protected monument under the control of Archaeological Survey of India.
Title: 11th century Bhaktavatsala temple, Cheranmahadevi Tamil Nadu India - 9
Credit: Own work
Author: Ms Sarah Welch
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Zero, Public Domain Dedication
License: CC0
License Link: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en
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