Gold vessels used in worship, and jewels, Vanamamaliperumal Temple, Nanguneri, Tinnevelly District
Photographer: Archaeological Survey of India
Medium: Photographic print
Photograph of gold vessels used in worship, and jewels from the Vanamamaliperumal Temple at Nanguneri, Tinnevelly District, taken by a photographer of the Archaeological Survey of India around 1900-1901.
The temple town of Nanguneri, situated 180 kilometres south of Madurai, is dominated by the imposing Vanamamalai Perumal Temple from the Pandya period. The temple is an important Divya Desam, one of the 108 Vaishnava shrines that were sung by divine saints called Azhvars. It consists of two prakarams or enclosures that contain five great structures: the Pandal Mandapam, Jayanti Mandapam, Srivilli Mandapam, Kulasekhara Mandapam and the Veerappa Mandapam. The vimanam or sanctuary is known as Nandavartana vimanm. The temple is entered through a tall towered gateway, the Rajagopuram. The view shows gold vessels and jewels used during ceremonies.