A Hindu temple is a symbolic house, seat and body of god. It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together, using symbolism to express the ideas and beliefs of Hinduism. The temple is the focus for all aspects such as religious, cultural, educational and social. Architecture of a Hindu temple, these core elements are evidenced in the oldest surviving 5th-6th century. The present study focused of iconographical of Sauriraja perumal temple in Thirukkannapuram. Vishnu is one of the principal deities of Hinduism, and the Supreme Being in its Vaishnavism tradition. The Sauriraja perumal temple is of great significance because it figures prominently in the hymns of Kulasekarar, Nammalvar, Antal and Tirumankai. The temples consist of the sanctum sanctorum, ardhamanapa, mahamandapa and mukhamandapa. The temple being of Vaisnava affiliation most of the iconographical illustrations pertain to the avataras. Among the minor divinities are dvarapalakas, Nidhis, Garuda, Hanumat and Donor. Among these images, a rare specimen of Pancamukha Anjaneya adds the richness of iconographical heritage. The Sauriraja perumal temple is richest historical aspect and Vishnu with Devi represent temple of Thirukkannapuram area in Nagapattinam district. Though there are several hundreds of temples for the Lord Vishnu in India, the one studied herein have a legendary mark in Tamil Vaisnavism.
Sourirajaperumal Temple, iconography, Vishnu, Devis
