Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Annamalaiyar Temple – Fourth Prakaram – Puravi (Horse) Mandapam

Annamalaiyar Temple – Fourth Prakaram – Puravi (Horse) Mandapam
Across from the Brahma Teertham is the Puravi (horse) Mandapam, earlier it was known as the Perumal Mandapam. It is a rectangular hall with a front mandapam. 

The inner side of the rectangular hall is supported by eight rows of pillars, each consisting of 13 pillars and is divided into four rows on the north – south side leaving a rectangular space in the middle. The back portion of this space is supported by six pillars in two rows. The rectangular hall has walls on to a certain extent of three pillars on north and the south sides. The hall opens on the southern side into the square mukha mandapa, which has openings on the east west side.

The space in front of the rectangular hall containing the mukha mandapa forms an open pillared mandapa and it is extended up to the flight of steps of Brahma tirtha. It is supported by two rows of pillars each consisting of eight pillars on the east side of the mukha mandapa, while the front portion of the mukha mandapa is supported by four rows of pillars, each consisting six pillars. While the open pillared mandapa is on the ground, the rectangular hall stands on a plinth.

The Puravi mandapa contains some ornamental and interesting pictures of Nayak’s period. The paintings are found on the roof. Most of the murals are in black pigment. The scenes of churning the milk from the ocean are painted in series. The mandapa might have been used for sheltering the horses. Hence the name Puravi Mandapam came into existence. It is said that it was built by the Kadava King Kopperunjingan. The images of Kopperunjingan and his son Venu Udaiyan have been carved in one of the pillars of the Puravi mandapa facing north. During their period this mandapam was called Perumal mandapam. The temple elephant is seen standing in the place. There are some shops selling tickets to the devotees, ghee, camphor, Vilva leaves and food packets.


It is now famous as the day shelter for Rukku, the Temple Elephant. A small mandapam known as the Mani Mandapam is close to the elephant shelter. The 100 pillar mandapam also houses the Devasthanam Office, where all Temple administration occurs.