Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram

Annamalaiyar Temple – Third Prakaram

The inner circle of the third Prakaram is reached by crossing the Kili Gopuram (parrot-tower) gate in the East. Before entering this doorway, the shrines of Yanaithiraikonda Vinayagar, Subramaniar, and Bhairavar can be seen on both sides. Just in front of this entrance there is Katchi Mantapam with sixteen pillars. The five deities (Panchamurthis) are brought to this mantapam during the annual Karthigai Festival (November – December) and placed facing the hill. This enables the devotees to see the deities along with the lighting of the Makara Jyothi (sacred flame) on top of the hill in the evening. This is a special spectacle and gives devotees immense satisfaction.

To the south of the Katchi mantapam are the utility rooms and in the north the Vasantha mantapam used as the Devasthanam Office. The Yagasala (place for the ritual fire) and the temple of Pidari, the angry and uncontrolled goddess is in this part of the temple.

The shrines of Kalatheeswar, Chidambareshwarar, Ekambareswarar and Jambukeswarar representing all the Pancha Bhootha sthalas, the four remaining shrines of Shiva dedicated to the elements are all gathered together in the temple of Annamalaiyar. The Magizham trees sacred to this shrine, and the Thirukalyana Mantapam and Bhimeshwarar and Vigneshwarar shrines are to the south. Just near the west gate connecting the third and forth prakarams, there is the shrine of Arunagiri Yogiswarar, an excellent spot for meditation.

The separate shrine of goddess Unnamalai Nayaki or Abidhakujambal is situated in the north western part of the third prakaram. In the Mahamandapam in front of the Ardhamandapam of this shrine we see a host of gods and goddesses especially Ashtalakshmi, Mahashakti and Saraswathi. Shrines of Vijayaraghava Vinayagar, Navagrahas (9 planets) and Chitraputhrar are in the front mandapam. To the back of the sanctum we see the Parasakthi Amman, Vigneshwarar, Cholalingam and Cheralingam. Inside the garbhagriha Goddess Unnamulai Ambal also known as Abidhakujambal, spouse of Annamalaiyar is placed.

The eastern part of the third prakaram houses both the sons of Shiva and Parvathi, Sambanda Vinayagar and Palaniandavar (Muruga from Pazhani) and the huge Dwarapalakars (gate keepers). Adhikara Nandikeswarar (bull vehicle of Shiva) is in the passage leading to the second prakaram. 

Important Shrines and places in this prakaram are detailed below;

Kaatchi Mandapam (Deepa Dharisanam Mandapam)

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram.html

Thiruchutrumalikaipatti

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_17.html

Paneer Mandapam

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_74.html

Sthala Vriksham (Magizha Tree)

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_18.html

Kalyana Mandapam

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_33.html

Bhimeshwarar Shrine

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_64.html

Arunagiri Yogiswarar Shrine

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_30.html

Unnamulai Amman Shrine

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_15.html

Vasantha Mandapam

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_38.html

Kalahasthiswarar Shrine

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_96.html

Yagasala Mandapam

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_14.html

Pidari Amman Shrine

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_76.html

Chidambareshwarar Shrine

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_34.html

Jambukeshwarar Shrine

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_99.html

Ekambareswarar Shrine

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_53.html

Kili Gopuram (Parrot Gopuram) 

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram-kili.html

Sambanda Vinayagar Sannathi 

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_47.html

Dhwaja Stambh (Flagstaff) 

For brief details, please refer below link;

http://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2016/02/annamalaiyar-temple-third-prakaram_85.html

At the Northern side of Third Prakaram the followings are located;

The temple office is located at Vasantha Mandapam. Adjoining to Vasantha Mandapam Kalahasthiswarar Sannathi and Yaga Salai are seen. Adjoining to Temple office Mandapam famous Pidariamman Sannathi is located and in front of this Sannathi stands a majestic huge stone trisulam (Trident) which is rare to find in other temples. And next to this Sannathi, Chidambareshwarar, Jambukeswarar and Ekambareswarar Sannathi are located.