The main deity of the temple in the central shrine, is a form of Vishnu, known as Veera Narayana. The image is of 8 feet (2.4 m) high and is made of black soapstone. The deity is depicted standing upon the Garuda Peetha or the seat of his vehicle, the eagle Garuda. In his upper right hand, he holds a lotus flower or Padma and in his upper left hand there is a mace or a Gada. The lower right hand is in the tiger pose or the Vyaghra Hasta and the lower left hand is in the brave pose or the Veera Mudra. It is the iconography of the lower hands that makes this idol of Vishnu different from his usual depictions, which usually holds the conch (Shankha) and the wheel (Chakra). The deity is shown in a warlike pose and is thus called Veera Narayana. The halo or the Prabhavali that decorates Veera Narayana in the background has a head of a sea monster or Makara exuding the ...
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The main deity of the temple in the central shrine, is a form of Vishnu, known as Veera Narayana. The image is of 8 feet (2.4 m) high and is made of black soapstone. The deity is depicted standing upon the Garuda Peetha or the seat of his vehicle, the eagle Garuda. In his upper right hand, he holds a lotus flower or Padma and in his upper left hand there is a mace or a Gada. The lower right hand is in the tiger pose or the Vyaghra Hasta and the lower left hand is in the brave pose or the Veera Mudra. It is the iconography of the lower hands that makes this idol of Vishnu different from his usual depictions, which usually holds the conch (Shankha) and the wheel (Chakra). The deity is shown in a warlike pose and is thus called Veera Narayana. The halo or the Prabhavali that decorates Veera Narayana in the background has a head of a sea monster or Makara exuding the Prabhavali, which is decorated with the ten incarnations or the Dashavatar of Vishnu – Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha and Kalki. It shows Balarama instead of Krishna because Veera Narayana himself is identified with Krishna. On either side of Veera Narayana there is Shridevi and Bhoodevi, the two consorts of Vishnu. The deity faces east and on 23rd March, the sunlight comes through the seven doors from the entrance and falls at the feet of the idol.
The Venu-Gopala shrine has the image of Krishna playing the flute. He is depicted standing in Tribhanga pose, where his right leg is in front of the left leg. He is standing under the tree called the Kalpavriksha. This image has been officially certified by the ASI as the most beautiful representation of Venu-Gopala, anywhere in India. On either side of Venugopala there are four sages or Brahmarishis, two on each side. Rukmini and Satyabhama, the two consorts of Krishna are also present on either side. Added to this, there are Gopis and cows, who are shown listening to the flute of Venu-Gopala in enraptured attention, oblivious to the world around them.
The third shrine of Yoga Narasimha depicts the deity sitting in deep meditation with a decorated Yoga belt tied down his knees. He is sitting erect. The upper hands are holding a conch and a wheel and the lower hands are resting on the knees in a meditative posture. Shridevi and Bhoodevi are on either side of the deity. The halo or the Prabhavali depicts the Dashavatara. In the center of the halo there is lotus flower or Padma, instead of the usual Kirtimukha or the face of a fierce monster with huge fangs, and a gaping mouth. The latter is a symbol of energy or Shakti and since Narasimha is so full of energy that he needs to calm down. That is why a lotus which, is a symbol of calm and serenity, is portrayed.
The Utsava Murtis or the metal idols of all the three deities are also present in the temple. They are made of Panch Dhatu or an alloy of five metals (gold, silver, brass, copper and lead). It is these images which are taken out during the processions which take place on various festivals. The temple does not have any permanent temple vehicle or a ratha. Every year they make a temporary palanquin or a palki and use it during the festivals.
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