Generally, Garudazhwar appears separately by the flag post (Kodimaram in Tamil) in almost all Vishnu temples. Rarely in some temples as Srivilliputhur, Garudazhar is seen with the presiding deity and Nallur temple near Vandavasi in Tiruvannamalai is one such. Sri Garuda is at the feet of the Perumal in a worshipping form.
Perumal is praised as ‘child boon God’ – Pillai Peru Nayakan.
Presiding deity, Lord Sundara Varadaraja Perumal graces in a standing form in the sanctum sanctorum. The deity – Sundara Varadaraja Perumal – installed by the Brahmins is in a separate shrine. As he is the original deity, first puja goes to Him. The idol is made of a single stone. Perumal holds His discus, conch and a Danda in the left lower hand. His consorts, Sridevi and Bhoodevi are also with Him. Sri Anjaneya is also there in a worshipping form.
There are also sages in the shrine performing penance while Gandharvas (a community in the upper world known for their skill in music) are depicted on the roof of the shrine.
It is also a different design that Perumal blesses Garuda who is at His feet worshipping. This position of Garuda is described as he is submitting the grievances of the devotees to the Lord seeking redressal.
Another Garudazhwar is also there before the sanctum sanctorum. The Lord is praised as ‘Child Giver Deity’. Sri Perumal grants darshan on the Garuda on the Vaikasi Visakam (May-June) day. Presiding Goddess Sundaravalli Thayar graces from a separate shrine.
Sri Anjaneya is in the north corridor-prakara holding the Sanjeevi hill in a flying form. There are also shrines for Sri Andal. Sri Vedanta Desika and Sri Ramanuja are with procession deities. The Vilwa tree attributed to Lord Shiva is the holy tree of this temple. Indicating that many Yagnas had been performed in this temple, there is a Yagna sala in the temple. The place is also known also as Chaturvedimangalam. |