The shrine for Goddess Lakshmi is another exciting architectural specimen. The goddess is worshipped here as Komalavalli Thayar, faces east just like the main sanctum. There are many other sanctums erected here, the most important being the one for Sri Embar Svami. It is situated very near the principal shrine and facing to the south. The image of this Acharya is placed in a sitting posture in anjali hasta. The utsava vigrahas of Vaikuntha Perumal in this temple, is enshrined in the main sanctum, was worshipped by Sri Embar. The tall, three tiered gopura, atop the main doorway, studded with stucco figures portraying themes from Vaishnava mythology and crowned by five kalasas beckons the devotees into the temple premises, which reveals the excellence of the architectural craftsmanship. The temple of Sri Vaikuntha Perumal is medium-sized, neatly maintained with a single-enclosure (prakara). The very large temple tank, called Garuda pushkarini, is another specimen of architectural excellence. It is full of water and covered with lotuses in full-bloom, presenting a picturesque sight to the pilgrims. This temple tank is situated outside the temple precincts, a short distance away. Sri Vaikuntha Temple also houses a large number of vahanas in this temple, like Garuda, Hanumantha, Sesha, Surya, Chandra and Hamsa vahanas, which are regularly used in the temple processions. |