Annamalaiyar Temple – Fourth Prakaram – Pitchai
Ilaiyanar Shrine
It is located to the north of the Kili Gopuram with its
southern side actually attached to the Tower. Lord Muruga with his two wives,
Valli and Devasena preside at this modern Shrine.
Pitchai means begging mendicant and Ilayanar refers to
the younger brother of Lord Vinayaka that is Muruga. To the north of the base
of the parrot tower this shrine is located. Lord Muruga with Valli and Devasena
preside this shrine. This shrine is a modern structure. It has a square cella
and an antarala of a smaller size. On the surface of the wall, there are four
pilasters in the cella and three pilasters in the antarala.
In front of the antarala, there is an open mandapa
covering a portion on the northern side too. While there are three pillars of
two rows in the front portion only four pillars on the northern side support
this open mandapa. The southern side of this shrine is attached to the steps of
the parrot gopuram.