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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Annamalaiyar Temple – Fifth Prakaram – Nandhi Mandapam

Annamalaiyar Temple – Fifth Prakaram – Nandhi Mandapam
Nandi (Bull) is the mount of Lord Siva. According to saivagamas, Nandi is the most important feature in the structure of Siva temple. The statue of a bull called Periya nandi is in the four pillared nandi mandapa on a raised platform and is situated to the north of Sivagangai tirtha and in front of the Rudraksha mandapa.

The raised platform exhibits the adhishtana parts in line with the Kambatthu Ilayanar shrine. The nandi is six feet long and is facing the Moolasthanam. Its head is slightly turned towards north while the heads of all other Nandis in the temple are turned slightly south.

In front of the second Gopura (called the Ballala Gopura) is a large Nandi in a mandapam. This was installed by King Deva Raya II and on the pillars of the mandapam are statuettes of that King and his Queen. This Nandi has round it a framework of iron on which are arranged lamps which when lighted form the outline of a Lingam.

Five Temple Nandis:
From east to west the five Temple Nandis are:
·        Periya Nandi in front of Vallala Gopuram Fifth Prakaram
·        Chinna Nandi fourth prakaram
·        Kodi Kambatthu Nandi, Third Prakaram 
·        Ratha Vilaku Nandi, Second Prakaram 
·        Pradosha Nandi, Moolasthanam