Brihadeeswarar Temple – Periyanayaki Amman Shrine
Amman shrine is located on the right side of Nandhi
mandapa. The deity Periya Nayagi Amman was originally installed
by Rajaraja-I and later moved to this shrine. This shrine is a built
by the Pandian King - Jatavarman Sundarapandian on 13th century.
Later the huge entrances with numerous stone pillars
were built during Vijayanagar during 15th century. The Amman
shrines' gopuram is less prominent. The entrance hall ceiling consists of huge stone
slabs that are supported by long beams and tall pillars.
The ceiling slabs are used as canvas to narrate the
divine plays of Lord Shiva painted during the Maratta rule
Serfoji (1799-1835 A.D). The pillars exhibit many interesting sculptures
including the commonly seen Yali (an extinct animal mostly found on temple
sculptures only).
The shrine of Goddess Periyanayaki, in the main
courtyard of the temple is believed to date from the Fifteenth Century. The
image of the presiding deity measures up to more than seven feet and exudes
serene majesty and grace. The goddess is standing with her two upper arms
holding an arghhyamala and lotus and the two lower arms displaying the
abhaya-varada Mudras.
