Brihadeeswarar Temple – Shubramanya Shrine
The shrine of Sri Subrahmanya, in the northwest corner
has been celebrated in three verses by the saint Arunagirinathar. This shrine
built on a base of around 45 square feet, is believed to date from the Nayaka
period.
The sanctum houses Subrahmanya with six faces, seated in
sukhasana on his mount, the peacock. The deity, peacock and the Thiruvasi
around the deity have all been carved from a single stone.
On both sides of the deity are sculptures of his two
wives, Valli and Devasena in standing poses. The entire shrine is a masterpiece
of carved stone sculpture and a wealth of rich detailing.
The Shrine of Sri Subramanya has been pronounced to be
"As exquisite piece of decorative architecture as is to be found in the
south of India" and "A perfect gem of carved stone work, the tooling
of the stone in the most exquisitely delicate and elaborate patterns, remaining
as clear and sharp as the day it left the sculptor's hands". Its correct
place in the evolution of Dravidian temple architecture would be modern, giving
it a date not earlier than 1600 AD and is popularly believed to be of the Nayak
period.
The shrine consist of a tower 55 feet high, raced on a
base 45-sq-feet, covered with delicately carved figured, pillars and pilasters
and carried on along a corridor 50 feet long, communicating with another
Mandapam 50 feet sq. to the east. Flights of steps lead up to either side of
the shrine but the principal entrance is to the east. The walls of the pillared
Mandapam are decorated with the portraits of the Mahratta rulers.