Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple, Hindu temple in Thiruvilandur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Parimala Ranganatha Perumal Temple is a Hindu temple in the village of Thiruvilandur, in Tamil Nadu, India. It has a multi-tiered stone tower and several inner courtyards lined with carved pillars and covered passages.
The temple's construction spans several periods, with contributions from the Medieval Cholas, the Vijayanagara Empire and the Madurai Nayaks. It is enclosed within a granite wall, and its east-facing rajagopuram has five tiers. The central shrine houses a 12 ft (3.7 m) green stone image of the reclining Parimala Ranganathar.
The name Parimala comes from parimala, meaning fragrance: tradition holds that the deity here restored a pleasant scent to the Vedas after they were recovered from the asuras. The place name Tiruindaloor is linked to indu, the moon, because Chandra is said to have been freed from his curse here. The consort is also called Chandrasaapa Vimochanavalli.
The temple lies in Indalur, Mayiladuthurai, on the banks of the Kaveri. Six daily rituals run from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., so time a visit around them. Footwear is removed before the inner shrines, and modest dress is expected.
The central deity is carved from green stone and shown in a reclining posture known as Ananthashayana, which represents the god resting on the cosmic serpent. This posture is less common than the standing form and makes this shrine stand out among temples in the area.
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