SCULPTURES
Narasingampettai Suyambunathaswami temple is rich in sculptures. Sculptures are found in the koshthas of vimana aditala and mukha mandapa, shrines in the thiruchurru, and also inside the maha mandapas. Besides, stucco figures are found in the superstructure of the Suyambunathaswami vimana and the goddess Lokanayaki vimana. Among the sculptures in this temple complex Surya and Chandeswara in the shrine of Atchyanathar-Achyambigai and Sri Gnanambigai in the thiruchurru, and Chandeswara in Chandeswara shrine belongs to Chola period, the rest of the sculptures are of very late period.
Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbava and Brahma adorn the koshthas in the viamana aditala. Dakshinamurthy in jatabara, short attire and decked with ornaments is seated in virasana with front hands in abhaya and ahuya varada while the back hands in kataka mudra carry snake and akshamala. Lord Brahma in jatamakuta, silk attire and decked with ornaments is standing in sama with his front hands in abhaya, varada and back hands in kataka carry the kamandalu and akshamala. Lingodhbava is housed in the western koshtha, Lord Siva is emerging from the lenticular slit of the bana, his front hands are in abhaya and katyavalambita while the back hands in kartari mudra carry deer and parasu. In jatamakuta, short attire and idaikattu he is decked with various ornaments. Swan and boar are shown in the bana in the crest and foot respectively.
Chandeswara in jatabara, short attire, idaikattu and decked with various ornaments is seated in suhasana with the hands in kataka, in that right hand is carrying axe. Yajnopavita is worn in upavita fashion. The elongated ears are decked with makara kundalas; beaded mala, arumbucharam mala adorn the neck; beaded armlets, kankanas, udarabanda, anklets are the other ornaments adorn by him. The slight grin adds elegance to his pious look. Features, ornaments and poise obviously place him to Chola period.
Lord Surya in karandamakuta and short attire is standing in sama and the hands in kataka carrying a bloomed lotus. He is richly adorned with ornaments. Above the short drapery, the idaikattu is slackly worn and the heavy knots of the idaikattu dangle on both sides. The lower attire is fastened by simhamukha kachchu and the excess noose is shown floating in the front, in addition, megalai is worn above the attire. The ears are elongated and decked with makara kundalas; kandigai, charapali and beaded mala adorn his neck. Keyura and kankanas ornament his arms. Udarabanda is worn around the waist. The yajnopavita with the sthana and uras sutras is worn in upavita fashion and its brahma knot is shown above the chest. A big halo is shown behind his head. Slender stature, lavishly decked with ornaments, and the slight grin adds elegance to his poise. The grace of the sculpture certainly places Him to Chola period.
The Goddess Gnanambigai in jatamakuta and silk attire is standing in sama, the front hands are in abhaya and katyavalambita whereas the back hands are in kataka and carry akshamala and lotus. The attire and ornaments are beads embellished. The silk attire draping upto the ankle is decorated with beads, besides, kankanas, keyura and baguvalai adorning the arms, thazlseri in the ankle, charapali and megalai are the other ornaments adorned by the deity. Besides charapali, the deity is also adorning the kandigai and stone studded necklace. The elongated ears are decked with makara kundalas. The idaikattu slackly worn above the silk attire is also beads embellished. The heavy knots of the idaikattu suspended on the sides are beautifully pleated. A thick yajnopavita is worn in upavita fashion. Breast band is absent. A garland spreads in the shoulders. Features and ornamentation place the goddess to Chola period.
Lord Ganesa in karandamakuta and short attire is seated in lalitasana with the back hands carrying pasa and angusa while his front hands carry broken tusk and motaka. The yajnopavita is worn in upavita fashion. Kankanas, keyura, udarabanda, thazlseri and neck ornaments are adorn by him. The proboscis is left turned and delighting the motaka in the left hand.
The Goddess Atchayambigai in jatamakuta and silk attire is standing in sama on a pedestal with the front hands in abhaya and varada while her back hands carry akshamala and flower. Besides the silk attire, the idaikattu is worn above it, but breast band is absent. The yajnopavita is worn in upavita fashion. Makara kundalas, beaded necklace, megalai, kankanas, keyura, udarabanda are the ornaments adorned by the deity.
In karandamakuta, chenni and short attire Lord Subrahmanya is standing in sama, his front hands are in abhaya and katyavalambita whereas his back hands in kartari mudra carry sakti and vajra. Kundalas, beaded malas, chhannavira, kankanas, keyura are the ornaments adorn by him. His vehicle peacock is shown standing behind him. The goddesses in karanda makuta and silk attire are carrying flower in one hand and the other hand is elegantly stretched on the side. Both the goddesses are decked with all usual ornaments.
In karandamakuta and silk attire the goddess is seated in ardhapadmasa on a pedestal with the front hands in abhaya and varada and the back hands carry lotus blossom. The goddess is decked with all usual ornaments. Elephants in rampant posture carrying pot in their trunk are shown on either side of the goddess.
Chandeswara is seated in suhasana in a pitha carrying the parasu in the right hand and the left hand is placed on the left thigh. His thick braids are beautifully coiled at the edges and gathered as jatabara and decked with head patta. The short attire draping his lower body is fastened by the hip belt and the excess girdle is bow knotted in the front. Besides, the idaikattu is slackly worn above it. Thick yajnopavita is worn in upavita fashion and the brahma knot of the yajnopavita is shown above the chest. Patrakundalas adorn his elongated ears, kandigai, charapali and chavadi are worn around the neck. Snake keyura in the upper arms, udarabanda around the abdomen, kankanas in the wrist, beaded thazlseri in the ankle are the other ornaments adorn by him. A garland is shown spreading in the shoulders. The iconographic traits of Chandeswara sculpture place him to Chola period.
The sthalapurana of the temple; the presiding deity Suyambunathaswami worshipped by Lord Narasimha is depicted as bas-relief miniature in the maha mandapa. The Lord represented as Linga, a five headed snake is spreading its hood like awning for the vesara Linga. Lord Narasimha is shown standing to the right of the Linga and the front hands are in the pose of offering something, probably flower, whereas his back hands are carrying sankha and chakra. The deity is draped in a long attire and the idaikattu is worn above it. Charapali, kankanas, keyura, megalai are the ornaments adorn by him.
Among the sculptures of Suyambunathaswami temple, the sculptures placed in the koshthas of Vimana and mandapas are of very late period. Chandeswara and Surya in the thiruchurru and Chandeswara in the Chandeswara shrine are of early period, the attributes of these sculptures undoubtedly place them to Chola period.