Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram –
Thiruchutrumalikaipatti
The southern, western and northern enclosure walls of
this prakaram have the pavement mandapa with two rows of pillars at the outer
side. This is called the Thiruchutrumalikaipatti. This structure is a many
pillared, highly impressive and extremely beautiful gallery, running around the
walls of the Third Prakaram. Many enclosed and locked portions were erected in
the modern era.
It is impossible to give an account of the pillars, as
many of them have been incorporated into mandapas and some even beyond
recognition. The south – east corner of this Thiruchutrumalikaipatti has been
converted into Madapalli or the temple kitchen with additional pillars and
walls.
The south – western corner is occupied by the wedding hall (Kalyana
Mandapam) and Bhimeshwara shrine. The north – west corner and entire portion on
northern side is occupied by the Amman shrine and vahana mandapas.
The outer portion of the Madapalli has nine pillars on
the northern side, and two rows of pillars each with eight pillars on the
western side the Madapalli, there are numerous pillars leaving a central
rectangular space on the east – west direction.
In front of the Madapalli in the southern prakara there
is a four pillared called Panneer mandapa. During the spring festival Lord Siva
is brought here, flowers are offered to the Lord at same time.
