The entrance to the shrine is through steps that represent the six chakras or energy centres. The seventh chakra, sahasrara, is at the centre of the worship hall. Made of translucent onyx marble, it is lit up underneath in the evening to give a beautiful glow.
“A temple represents the visva rupa, the universe, in the form of a man,” says Bhanu Swamigal, citing the Angor Wat temple in Cambodia as an example. “The feet are the main gate and the head is the sanctum sanctorum, housing the deities. Mount Meru, representing the principal deity, is symbolised by the sikharas (peaks) over the deities,” he elaborates. At this temple, the sikharas are in (Odisha style).
The worship hall has huge windows embellished by Vijaya Govinda Dasa's paintings that shimmer in the streaming sunlight. The avatars of Vishnu are depicted, each representing a direction with the corresponding yantra.
The entrance of the temple is marked by the representation of the universe.According to the cosmology of ancient Vedic puranas, the universe is described as series of circular islands surrounding a central pillar called Mount Meru. The design on the floor at the entrance depicts the same universal pattern.
Directions of Avatars
Rama for East (Sun), Nrisimha for South (Mars), Krishna for North-West (Moon) and so on. The cow and the nursing calf at the entrance form a symbol too.It is believed that the eight corners of a temple or any house for that matter are governed by eight avataras of the Lord. These are wonderfully depicted in the large windows of the temple along with a yantra for each. Through the large windows on the Eastern side, the rays of the Sun can be seen reaching upto the deity’s altar revealing His beautiful form. “The cow is a giver; it nurtures life and is a personification of Dharma. Here it stands for the Earth. You take care of it, it gives. You abuse it, it stops producing,” the Swami explains.
Mrityunjaya Yantra
It is modelled on the Mrityunjaya Yantra, ‘the Conquest over Death Yantra’. This is specially represented with the help of onyx marble that is illuminated from underneath. Exactly above is the brahma-sthanam which allows light to stream in through a transparent dome. Here, at this point, light from below and above converge on the observer.
Iskcon Chennai / Article / Videos
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