Architecture of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Nirvalur, South India

The architectural design gives the temple a grand splendor. The structural design and the artistic design on the temple walls clearly testify the excellent artistry of the contemporary era. The principal image (moolavar) of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal enshrined in the sanctum is in a sitting posture, facing east, flanked by Sri Devi and Bhu Devi in a seated posture is the principal architectural specimen of the period. The deity holds the conch (sankha) and discus (chakra) in His upper left and right hands respectively while His lower right hand is in abhaya hasta, assuring protection to His worshippers and lower left palm rests on a mace (gada).The posture of the deity is immensely captivating and is the chief attraction about the temple. The utsava murti in this sanctum is Srinivasa Perumal is no less fascinating. It is placed in a standing posture in the boon conferring pose (varada hasta), which is flanked by His two consorts or Ubhaya Nachiyar. The unique and awe-inspiring bronze image of Ugra Narasimha tearing the demon Hiranyakashipu placed on his lap seen in this shrine evokes the legendary significance of the Temple. This image of Lord Srinivasa Perumal was also installed by this preceptor. The other bronze images here are the images of Andal, Selvar and Kalinga Narthana Krishna. There are also images of the ancient preceptors and lords like Nammazhvar, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desika and Adivan Sathakopa (the first pontiff of the Ahobila Mutt) in this temple. The vimana above the main shrine is called the Jayakoti Vimanam, which is highly venerated by the devotees.

The structure of the temple is highly fascinating. The striking architectural feature of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal temple is that this single-prakara temple does not have a separate shrine for Goddess Lakshmi. However there is a legendary story behind this. According to that story, a devotee who wished to build a shrine for Goddess Lakshmi in this temple-complex in 1895 was prevented from doing so by a divine command. Hence there is no separate shrine for goddess Lakshmi even till date. The entrance to the temple is through the east doorway where there is an unfinished gopura. The unfinished gopura is considered also an architectural specimen.

However the architectural design on the temple wall and the structure of the sanctum along with the images enshrined in it points to a stately dignity of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Temple.