| The village
Srikurmam derives its name from the temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the
Avathara of Srikurmam viz., the Avathara of tortoise, and hence the deity itself is called
Srikurmanatha. The temple has beautiful pillared mantapas and some of the pieces of
sculpture done in granite are masterpieces of workmanship. The Vimana of the temple is
built in the characteristic Chola type of architecture, though the outer gates beyond the
prakara are much later. The temple is said to have
been originally a Saivite, one, which was changed into a Vaishnavite one, by Sri
Ramanujacharya. References to this incident are available in the Sanskrit work
Prapannamritha. Many interesting stories and legends are told in the place about a great
debate between Ramanuja and the other thinkers of that time. Sri Ramanuja won in the
debate easily. The temple is of very great sanctity, being the only important temple to
Lord Vishnu in the Kurmavathara in the whole of India. |
