Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Annamalaiyar Temple – Fifth Prakaram – Thirtha Mandapam

Annamalaiyar Temple – Fifth Prakaram – Thirtha Mandapam
This mandapa is located south to the Kalyana Sundareshwarar shrine and is attached to the enclosure wall. The mandapa has a back portion with a plinth and a front portion, both facing east. The back portion is supported by four rows of pillars each containing nine pillars. They divide into four and five pillars on the south and north respectively leaving a central passage.
The front portion is supported by seven rows of pillars, each row containing four pillars on the southern and northern sides respectively. It is in a dilapidated condition. The central passage is on the line of the western steps of Sivagangai tirtha. To the south of this mandapa, there is a closed vahana mandapa and in the south west corner of Sivagangai tirtha, there is a small Vinayaka shrine. The Vinayaka is known as Indra Vinayakar. The shrine faces east. Tonsuring by the devotees is done under a tree near this shrine.