Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Third Prakaram

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Third Prakaram

This prakaram is the outermost prakaram of this Temple. It is also called as Alwar Pradakshinam.

Chakrathazhwar Shrine:

There is a shrine of Chakrathazhwar on the eastern side of the temple tank. The shrine is believed to have been built during the reign of Kulothunga Chola III in 1191 CE by Ilavazhagan Kalingarayan of Nettur as per the inscriptions in the temple. The later additions are presumably made by Vijayanagara Kingdom during the 13^th or early part of 14^th century. The kings also added pillared columns in the leading hall sculpted with figures from Ramayana and various forms of Lord Vishnu.

This shrine houses an image of Chakrathazhwar (Sudarsana) with 16 hands holding conch and discus with Narasimha on the back side. There are two entrances to the shrine as the two images are considered to be separate. There festival image of the temple has seven different images of Sudarshana depicted within the same Chakra.

100 pillared Hall:

There is a 100 pillared hall (Nuttrukkal Mandapa) immediately after the Rajagopuram. The pillars of this mandapa are adorned with sculptures depicting Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is a masterpiece of Vijayanagara architecture. Stone chains sculpted in a single stone adorn the hundred pillared halls are the best examples of architectural prowess of Vijayanagara sculptors.

Athi Varadar:

Lord Varadaraja Perumal made of Athi tree is said to have been damaged during the Muslim invasion. As a damaged deity could not be worshipped, it was immersed in the temple tank. The current presiding deity is made of granite and was brought from Pazhaya Seevaram at about 20 Kms from Kanchipuram. There are two long Mandapas under the tank north of the 100 pillared Mandapam in the temple where this image of Athi Varadan is preserved in a silver casket.

Athi Varadan is taken out once in 40 years and placed outside for public worship for a period of 48 days after which it is immersed in the water and stored for the next 40 years. This event took place last in 2019. It is believed that there is a heavy downpour after the idol is immersed to fill the tank.

Other Shrines:

There are shrines for Ranganatha, Nammalvar, Manavala Mamunigal, Ramanuja, Vedanta Desikar, Azhwars and Acharyas in the outer prakaram.

Nandavanam:

The temple garden, Nandavanam, is situated in the outer prakaram.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Second Prakaram

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Second Prakaram

The second prakaram is called as Yamunai Thuraivar Thirumutram. It is also called as Madaipalli Pradakshinam as the temple’s kitchen is situated in this corridor. The entrance leads to the outer prakaram is known as Thondaradi Podi.  

Perundevi Thayar Shrine:

Mother is called as Perundevi Thayar. Her shrine is situated in the second prakaram. She is housed in her shrine in sitting posture. Her idol is about 4 feet (1.2 m) tall. The Vimana over her shrine is called as Kalyana Koti Vimana. It is customary for devotess to visit her shrine first before visiting the sanctum.

Krishna Shrine:

There is a shrine for Lord Krishna situated next to Perundevi Shrine in this prakaram.

Thulabharam Mandapas:

There are four small pillared halls identical in structure called Thulabharam Mandapas built during the 1532 CE for a ceremony of Achyuta Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Mirror Room:

The Mirror room where Lord Perumal gives darshan during festival seasons is situated in this prakaram.

Other Shrines:

Shrines of Lord Rama Ananthalwar and Karu Manikka Varadar are situated in this prakaram.

Other Mandapas & Facilities:

Yajna Sala, Madapalli, Abhisheka Mandapam, Mandapas for housing mounts (Vahanas), and thousand pillared Mandapam are situated in this prakaram.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – First Prakaram

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – First Prakaram

The first prakaram is situated on the Hasthigiri hill. It houses the sanctum and the two co-axial walled mandapams. This prakaram is also called as Thiru Malai Pradakshinam / Senaiyar Kon Thirumutram.

Sanctum:

The Sanctum is situated on the top of a 10 metre tall small hillock called Athigiri (Hasthigiri). The Hastagiri is about 360 m (1,180 ft) long by 240 metres (790 ft). It can be accessed through flight of 24 steps. The 24 steps represent the number of letters of Gayatri Maha Mantra. The hillock is encircled with double-storied, covered verandas with a terrace which takes the form of a beautiful courtyard around the shrine.

Presiding Deity is called as Varadaraja Perumal / Perarulaalan / Athigiri Arulala Perumal Kari Varadar / Giri Varadar / Devathiraja Perumal / Deva Raja Perumal and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in standing posture with four arms (Chatur Bhuja). He is about 10 feet (3.0 m) tall and made of granite. The idol of Varadaraja Perumal is believed to be the second largest idol and the largest idol being Tirupati Balaji idol.

Sun’s rays fall directly on Lord Varadaraja Perumal at the time of dusk on the 15^th day after Chitra Purnima (full moon day in Chithirai). During winter, Lord Varadaraja Perumal wears a sweater to protect him from cold. Sacred bath for the Lord during this period takes place with hot water / milk. There is a belief that Lord Brahma comes here once a year on the full moon day in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May) around mid-night, for a darshan of Varadarajan.

On this day, it is the practice for the priests to place food inside the sanctum and to wait outside for 24 minutes. At the end of this, the food is said to smell sweeter. The Vimana over the sanctum is called as Punya Koti Vimana. The Utsava Idol is housed in the glass mandapam. He is with fire wound scars on his face. It was told that the scars are due to the emergence of Perumal from the fire of Yagna performed by Lord Brahma. It has murals on the ceiling dating back to Vijayanagara period.

Narasimha Shrine:

There is a shrine for Lord Narasimha / Azhagiya Singar beneath the sanctum. It is said that the Narasimhar shrine is first shrine to be built in this complex. The origin of the mask of Narasimha is mysterious and believed to possess inexplicable powers. He is found along with Arithra Devi Thaayar. The Vimana over his shrine is called as Guha Vimana.

Lizard Carvings:

There are two beautifully carved lizard on the ceiling of the sanctum. One lizard is gilded with gold and another lizard is gilded with silver along with the figures of Sun and Moon. It was believed that Lord Indra installed after he was relieved from the curse of Goddess Saraswathi. Devotees touch these lizard figures; as per the belief, it will relieve them from their diseases and problems.

Malayala Nachiyar Shrine:

There is a shrine for Malayala Nachiyar beneath the sanctum in this prakaram. Malayala Nachiyar is considered as Kerala consort of Lord Varadaraja Perumal. It is said to have been built by Chera Kings in 14^th Century CE.

Dhanvandhri Shrine:

There is a shrine for Dhanvandhri, god of medicine, beneath the sanctum in this prakaram.

Other Shrines:

Shrines of Periya Thiruvadi (Garuda). Andal and Vishwaksena can be found at the entrance of the sanctum.

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Religious Significance

Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Religious Significance

Divya Desams:

The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7^th – 9^th century Vaishnava canon. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Lord Varadaraja Perumal of this temple was praised by Thirumangai Alwar in 4 pasurams, by Bhoothath Alwar in 2 pasurams and by Peyalvar in one Pasuram.

Sapta Puri:

Kanchipuram to regarded as one of the seven holiest cities in India, the Sapta Puri, that can bestow salvation (Moksha) as per Garuda Purana. The other cities are Ayodhya, Madura, Haridwar, Kasi, Ujjain and Dwaraka.

Holiest among the Vaishnava Temples:

Among Divya Desams (most prominent Vaishnava Temples), Koil (Temple) means Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Thirumalai (Hill) means Tirupati Tirumala Venkateswara Temple (Thiruvengadam) and Perumal Koil (Vishnu Temple) means Kanchipuram Varadaraja Perumal Temple. 

Mumurtivasam:

This Temple along with Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram are popularly called as Mumurtivasam (abode of trio).

Umbrella:

The temple is famous for its huge umbrella used during festive occasions.

Vadabathira Kali Amman Temple, Sannapuram, Thanjavur

Vadabathira Kali Amman Temple, Sannapuram, Thanjavur

Vadabathira Kali Amman Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali located in Sannapuram Village near Kumbakonam Town in Thiruvidaimarudur Taluk in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. It is believed that Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola I worshipped Sannapuram Vadabathira Kali regularly during his life time.

Legends

Emperor Rajaraja Chola I used to visit the places in his kingdom in night times in disguise to check the welfare of his subjects. When he used to visit Thirubhuvanam, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thirunageswaram and Aduthurai areas, his family deity Vadabathira Kali guided him in his visit. He realised it in many times and worshipped her. Sometimes, She used to fly in front of him in the form of parrot.

Rajaraja Chola I was eager to have darshan of Kali in her original form instead of parrot. One day, when he was taking rest under a tree, the parrot appeared before him. The parrot started talking to him and said that she was living in Sannapuravanam where the sound emanated from rice pounder and plunger will not be heard. She further said before starting any work, worship her to have success in all endeavours.

The parrot flew away after talking to emperor. Next day, Emperor embarked to Sannapuravanam along with his entourage. He found the idol of the Vadabathira Kali amidst the forest. He worshipped her and left to the palace. During his stay in Pazhayarai, he never started any works nor went to war without worshipping her.

The Temple

This is a small east facing temple. She looks ferocious with protruding tongue. She is having 16 hands holding various weapons. A demon can be seen at her foot. She was tormenting the demon with her Trisula. There is another idol of Vadabathira Kali on the left side of the sanctum. Varahi Amman can be seen under the Peepal Tree.

Temple Opening Time

The Temple remains open from 12.00 Noon to 02.00 PM in all days except Friday. On Fridays, the temple remains open from 01.00 PM to 09.00 PM.

Festivals

Aadi Fridays are celebrated in this Temple with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 2.5 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur, 2.5 Kms from Thiruvidaimaruthur Railway Station, 3 Kms from Thirunageswaram, 4 Kms from Thirubuvanam, 8 Kms from Kumbakonam Bus Stand, 8 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 9 Kms from Kumbakonam, 9 Kms from Nachiyar Koil, 50 Kms from Thanjavur and 104 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is situated on Thiruvidaimarudur – Thirunageswaram – Nachiyar Koil Route. Mini Buses are available from Kumbakonam. Auto facilities are available from Thirunageswaram.

Location

Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam – The Temple

Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam – The Temple

The temple is facing towards east with 7-tiered Rajagopuram and has two prakarams. The Temple covers an area of about 5.5 acres. Kambatthadi Vinayagar, Dwajastambam, Balipeedam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram. There is a three-tiered Gopuram at the entrance of the inner prakaram. Adhikara Nandhi is situated on the left side of this entrance. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Artha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Mukha Mandapam and Somaskandar Mandapam.

The Sanctum Sanctorum is built over a raised platform similar to Mada Kovil style. The Sanctum is square on plan. Presiding Deity is called as Kampaheswarar / Kampahareswarar / Nadukkam Theertha Nayagan / Thirubhuvana Eswarar / Thirubhuvana Mahadevar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Murthy. Bikshadana, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls.

The Vimana is about 126 feet high with 7 tiers. An unusual feature of the temple is that the vimana is extremely high unlike other South Indian temples. The architecture of the temple is similar to the Big Temple at Thanjavur, Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram and Gangai Konda Chola Puram temples. The distinct features of all the temples is the vimana, the structure over the sanctum, being taller than the gateway tower, which is an unusual feature in south Indian temples.

Mother is called as Dharmasamvardhini / Aram Valartha Nayaki. She is housed in an east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. Mother graces the devotees with Abhaya Mudra ensuring protection with one hand and holding lotus flower and Akshamala in other hands in a standing posture.  The peeta (dais) is called Odyanapeeta and Padma Peeta. 

There is a separate shrine for Sarabeswarar, a fusion of man, eagle and lion, in the temple premises. This Shrine is situated opposite to Mother shrine. He is facing towards south. Utsava (metallic) idol, Sarabeswarar is situated in this shrine. Sarabeswarar will normally be seen only in pillars in all the temples. This is the only place where he is having a big and exclusive shrine. This Shrine is considered as Adhi (first) Sarabeswarar Shrine.

Sarabeswarar is seen with his consorts Soolini and Prathiyangara. He is about 7 feet tall. The deity is believed to have relieved the devas (celestial beings) from the fury of Lord Vishnu in the form of Narasimha after he slayed Hiranyakasipu. He is seen with three legs, with body and face of a lion and a tail. It has four human arms, the right upper hand holds axe, noose is held in the lower right hand, the deer in the upper left hand and fire in the lower left hand.

Narasimha is shown with eight arms, flaying and struggling under the feet of Sarabeswarar. The shrine has sculptures of Sridevi and Bhudevi, the consorts of Vishnu. Dwarapalakis can be found at the entrance of this shrine. He gives relief from bad evils, fear, court cases, debts and other difficulties. Sunday Ragu kalam (4:30 to 6 PM) is the best time to worship him.

There are shrines for Sapta Matrikas, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Nataraja, Chandikeswarar, Bhairavar and Navagrahas in the temple premises. Few loose sculptures can be found in the temple premises. There are sculptures of different Bharatanatyam poses in the southern side of the Somaskandar mandapam.

Yali, a mythical creature with the face of a lion, which is otherwise considered a symbol of Nayak architecture has its earliest representation in Chola art in the temple. There are numerous paintings and sculptures in the temple depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. There are about nine Theerthams associated with this Temple. The most prominent among them is Saraba Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree.

Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam – History

Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam – History

The Temple was constructed by the Chola King Kulothunga Chola III as a memorial of his successful North Indian campaign as per the inscriptions found in the south wall of the temple. He assumed the title of Thiribuvana Chakravarthy after defeating Cheras, Singhalese and Pandyas. This place was named after his title as Thirubuvanam. The inscriptions indicate the contribution towards the construction of the Nataraja shrine and the Mukha Mandapa.

Some of the other temples that figure in the inscriptions are Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Meenakshi Temple at Madurai, Ekambareswarar Temple at Kanchipuram, Mahalingeswarar Temple at Thiruvidaimaruthur and  Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur. The inscriptions in the shrine of the presiding deity is similar to the one in the outer gopuram (gateway tower), which indicates the building of the temple by Kulottunga Chola III.

There are four inscriptions from Kulothunga Chola in Grantha script. The inscription 189 of 1907, the one on the southern wall of the central shrine, is damaged and mentions Arya Sri-Somanatha. Inscription 190 on the same wall indicates the building operations of Kulothunga Chola. 191, at the entrance of outer gopura, is a duplicate of the 190. On the same gopura, inscription 192 indicates record of king Kulothunga Chola.

There are two inscriptions in Tamil from the period of Jadavarman Tribuvana Chakravarthy Parakrama Pandya Deva registered by Epigraphy Department in 1911. One of them, 159, registers a contract between the residents of Tribhuvanavirapuram and Kulamangalanadu, who were urkaval (watchmen) of the village. On the same wall, the inscription numbered 160, records a similar contract in the presence of chief Udaiyar Kulasekharadeva.

Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam – Legends

Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam – Legends

Kampaheswarar:

Pandyan King, Varaguna, who, according to tradition, lived in the seventh century A.D. Once he went for hunting in a nearby forest and when he started back home, dusk had already fallen. The horse, fatigued by the hunt, was anxious to get back to the stables, and literally flew over the path. Meanwhile an aged Brahmin, also travelling through the forest, had called it a day and was lying fast asleep under the shelter of a large tree.  Unfortunately, the path which the King’s horse took was led over the very place where the old man lay sleeping. The hooves of the horse crushed his chest, and he perished on the spot. So fast was horse that the King had no inkling of this terrible calamity.

Only when the soldiers following him saw the dead Brahmin and informed him, did the King come to know of the tragedy. He lost no time in observing the penances and sacrifices ordained in the shastras for absolution from this sin; but the damage was done Brahmmahathi (spirit of the dead Brahmana) clung to him all the more tightly. In despair, the King sought the help of Lord Sundareswarar of Madurai. One day, when he was circumambulating the shrine, a divine voice stated him that a Chola King will invade your Kingdom soon. Fight him and he will be defeated.

As he flees back to his country, chase him without harming him. He will lead you to Thiruvidaimarudur where Lord Shiva himself worshipped his own image. The Sin clinging to you now will leave you by praying to Lord Shiva there. The King then visited the temple at Thiruvidaimarudur as per the divine guidance and prayed to Lord Mahalingeswarar. He entered the temple through the Eastern entrance and the Brahmmahathi could not enter the temple and waited outside the temple for the King to return. 

As advised by Mahalingaswamy, the King left by the Western Gopuram (Tower) and hence got rid of the Brahmmahathi dosham and the Brahmin’s ghost. The Brahmmahathi is waiting outside still in the south ornamental entrance (south Torana Vayil) with head disheveled and face immersed betwixt the knees. The king was relieved of his malady. Yet, he was trembling with the fear of the spirit catching him again. Lord Kampaheswarar saved the king from trembling (Nadukkam or Kampa). Hence, He is praised as Nadukkam Theertha Nayakan or Kampaheswarar.

Nadukkam Theertha Nayagan:

Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali and Kamalaksha were the sons of the demon Tarakasura. Tarakasura was killed by Lord Muruga and he instructed his family to avenge his death. As per the advice of Sukracharya, guru of  Asuras, three Asura brothers started to perform severe penance. They performed penance for hundred years by standing only on one leg. They continued their penance for another thousand years without taking food and living only on air. Further, they stood on their heads and meditated in this posture for another thousand years.

Lord Brahma was pleased by their penance and granted them a boon. They requested for immortality. Brahma refused and told them nothing can be immortal. Then Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali and Kamalaksha asked to be blessed with  three impregnable fortresses. The first will be of gold, the second of silver and the third of iron. We will live in these forts for a thousand years. These forts built in different worlds shall align once in every 1000 years. This combined fort will be called Tripura. And if anyone can then destroy Tripura with only a single arrow that shall be the death destined for us.

Lord Brahma granted this unusual. There was a Danava named Maya who was very good at building work. Brahma asked him to build the forts. The golden fort was built in heaven, the silver one in the sky and the iron one on earth. Tarakaksha got the golden fort, Kamalaksha the silver one and Vidyunmali the iron one. Each of the forts was a big as a city and had many palaces and vimanas (space vehicles) inside. The demons populated the three forts and began to flourish. The demigods did not like this at all. They first went to Brahma, but Brahma said he could not help them.

After all, the demons had got Tripura thanks to his boon. The gods then went to Shiva for help. But Shiva said that the demons were doing nothing wrong. The asuras felt invincible and started tormenting the Devas. Devas under the leadership of Indra approached Lord Brahma for respite, Lord Brahma directed them to approach Lord Shiva and also informed them of the vulnerability of Tripura to a single arrow. Nandi, the leader of Lord Shiva's Ganas, slayed Vidyunmali and other Asuras, but the magical pool of Tripura would revive the dead asuras, and the Devas were frustrated.

As the furious war continued between the Asuras and the Devas, even the Earth began to slip from its place. Just as Brahma and Shiva were worrying about the Earth's descent, the Protector god Vishnu, in the form of a massive boar, lifted the earth and restored it to its original place. He then entered Tripura and drank dry, the pool of magic water that rejuvenated the dead Asuras. Lord Shiva made a special chariot with the earth whose wheels were constituted by the sun and the moon and driven by Brahma as the charioteer using the four Vedas as horses. Lord Shiva also made a special bow with Mount Meru with its arc formed by Adisesha, and Vishnu would function as the arrow. 

Offended, Ganesha caused the axle of Lord Shiva's chariot to break and get stuck, stranding Shiva. The mighty god realized the error of his ways and immediately prayed to Ganesha, who then removed all obstacles from his path. Just as the cities aligned, Lord Shiva was about to fire the arrow, the Devas were overjoyed that Tripura was going to be destroyed because of them. Lord Shiva, knowing what the Devas were thinking, did not fire the arrow and just smiled. All the three purams were burned immediately.

As his laugh, saved the Devas and mortals from trembling (Nadukkam) caused by the acts of demons. He came to be called as Nadukkam Theertham Nayagan. Shocked at this act, Brahma pleaded that Devas thoughts were faulty, and that Shiva should forgive and release the arrow, or else the Devas would have a permanent bad name and the reason behind making this chariot would become meaningless. Lord Shiva then fired the arrow on the already burning cities.

Sarabeswarar:

Lord Sarabesa has in him the collective powers of 1) Lord Shiva, 2) Lord Vishnu, 3) Mother Pratyangira Devi and 4) Mother Durga (Soolini Durga). The blood of demon Hiranya stayed his body during the Narasimha Avatar which made him very furious. To cool him down, the Devas approached Lord Shiva. They were afraid of the birth million wicked souls if that demon blood fell on earth. 

As the blood was in the body of Mahavishnu with nectar in him, these wicked souls, if born would become indestructible. Lord Shiva alone could offer a solution. Lord Shiva took a very strange form with Yazhi face, human body, eight legs, four hands and two wings. One wing was Mother Pratyangira Devi while the other was Mother Durga Soolini. He chased Narasimha into sky and space to a point where gravitation will not work. 

He pressed Narasimha with his nails to bring out the impure demon blood and get it evaporated there. Sooner the demon blood left his body, Lord Narasimha became soft and smiling and worshipped Lord Shiva. Thus, worshipping Lord Sarabeswarar brings the devotee the benefit of worshipping all four Gods.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

Lord Vishnu, Prahalada, Lord Brahma, Agni, Mandhadha, Varaguna Pandian, Moon and Sun had worshipped Lord in this temple. 

Karkadeswarar Temple, Thirundudevankudi – The Temple

Karkadeswarar Temple, Thirundudevankudi – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with an unfinished Rajagopuram (Mottai Gopuram). There is stucco image of Lord Shiva with his consort Parvathy on top of the unfinished Rajagopuram. The Temple has two prakarams. This temple covers an area of over 72,000 square feet surrounded by a moat called Tirumaruvum Poigai in the midst of green fields. This ancient brick and mortar temple was converted to a stone temple during the rule of Kulottunga I (1075-1120).

The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Artha Mandapam.  Ashtamangala bas relief can be found at the top of the Artha Mandapam. Stucco Dwarabalakas can be found at the entrance of sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Karkadeswarar / Arumarunthu Devar / Devadevesar. He is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy.

The hole on the body of the Linga created by the Nandu (Crab) and the scar caused by Indira is still visible. The image of a golden crab as well as the hole created by it can be seen on the Shivalingam during the ablution rituals (abhishekam). Narthana Vinayagar, Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Lingothbhavar and Durga are the Koshta Idols located around the sanctum walls.

Chandikeswarar can be seen in his usual location. Dakshinamurthy is without Muyalagan under his feet but with book on his left hand. Vimana over the sanctum is single tiered and made of stone. The Kalasha over the sanctum is normally made of Pancha Loha but here it is carved of stone. The festival images of this temple have been kept in the Tiruvisalur temple, nearby for safe keeping.

Generally, One Mother Parvathy shrine is found in Shiva temples.  But here there are two Mother Parvathy Shrines namely Arumarunthu Nayaki and Apoorva Nayaki. During renovation of this temple, the reigning King could not find the original idol of the goddess. He installed a new Mother Parvathy idol and named it as Arumarunthu Nayaki (Goddess of rare medicine). However, the old goddess idol was found within a month. The King installed the old idol along with the new idol and named as Apoorva Nayaki.

There is a shrine for Moon (Chandran) at the entrance of the temple. He is in yoga posture and popularly called as Yoga Chandran. Normally, Chandran is depicted in standing posture but here he is seen in sitting posture. Those having problems due to Moon aspects pray in this shrine. Hence, this temple is considered as Chandra Dosha Parihara Sthalam.

There is a south facing shrine housing Lord Nataraja along with his consort Shivagami in the northern side of the prakaram. Lord Nataraja’s idol here is made of clay (Stucco image). Sri Vinayaka of the temple is worshipped as Karkadaka Vinayaka. There is a shrine for Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai in the prakara. There is no shrine for the Navagrahas (the nine planets) in the prakaram. 

There are shrines for Gajalakshmi, Dhanvandhri, Agasthya, Kaala Bairavar, Suryan and Naalvar in the temple premises. There is a beautiful relief depicting Sage Agasthya handing over the locally grown herbs with exceptional medicinal properties to Dhanvatri, the god of Ayurveda. A King and his Queen are witnessing the happening while the celestial gods from the heaven are also watching it.

The legend of a crab offering worship to Shiva is depicted in a panel on a stone pillar. The Thandava (cosmic dance) of Siva is breathtakingly depicted on northern wall of the temple. Theertham associated with this Temple are Pankaja Theertham, Navabashana Theertham and River Cauvery. Sthala Vriksham is Nangai Tree.