Annamalaiyar Temple – Fourth Prakaram – Puravi (Horse)
Mandapam
Across from the Brahma Teertham is the Puravi (horse)
Mandapam, earlier it was known as the Perumal Mandapam. It is a rectangular
hall with a front mandapam.
The inner side of the rectangular hall is supported by
eight rows of pillars, each consisting of 13 pillars and is divided into four
rows on the north – south side leaving a rectangular space in the middle. The
back portion of this space is supported by six pillars in two rows. The
rectangular hall has walls on to a certain extent of three pillars on north and
the south sides. The hall opens on the southern side into the square mukha
mandapa, which has openings on the east west side.
The space in front of the rectangular hall containing
the mukha mandapa forms an open pillared mandapa and it is extended up to the
flight of steps of Brahma tirtha. It is supported by two rows of pillars each
consisting of eight pillars on the east side of the mukha mandapa, while the
front portion of the mukha mandapa is supported by four rows of pillars, each
consisting six pillars. While the open pillared mandapa is on the ground, the
rectangular hall stands on a plinth.
The Puravi mandapa contains some ornamental and interesting
pictures of Nayak’s period. The paintings are found on the roof. Most of the
murals are in black pigment. The scenes of churning the milk from the ocean are
painted in series. The mandapa might have been used for sheltering the horses.
Hence the name Puravi Mandapam came into existence. It is said that it was
built by the Kadava King Kopperunjingan. The images of Kopperunjingan and his
son Venu Udaiyan have been carved in one of the pillars of the Puravi mandapa
facing north. During their period this mandapam was called Perumal mandapam.
The temple elephant is seen standing in the place. There are some shops selling
tickets to the devotees, ghee, camphor, Vilva leaves and food packets.
It is now famous as the day shelter for Rukku, the
Temple Elephant. A small mandapam known as the Mani Mandapam is close to
the elephant shelter. The 100 pillar mandapam also houses the Devasthanam
Office, where all Temple administration occurs.
