Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram – Kaatchi
Mandapam (Deepa Dharisanam Mandapam)
This is a vast sixteen pillared mandapa situated in
between the Kodimaram mandapam and the Parrot Gopuram. This mandapa is called
Katchi mandapa where the Panchamurtis give darshan on the Karthigai Deepam day
and from where the Lords may witness the light of the fire on the top of
Arunachala.
Ardhanarisvara too gives darshan from this place that
day. This is also called Deepa darshana. This mandapam was built by Mangayarkarasi,
a devotee and her brother in 1202 A.D. Hence, it was originally named as the Mangayarkarasi
Mandapam.
Passing through this Mandapam one can get into
Arunachaleswarar Sannathi. At the left side of Kili Gopuram Panneer Mandapam
and Madapalli (temple Kitchen) are located. Opposite this mandapam, there is
the Bali Peedam (sacrificial altar), Nandi and the Flag Staff (Dhwajasthambham).
