Udhvaganathar Temple, Thirumanancheri – The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with five tiered rajagopuram. It has two prakarams. There is a second level three tiered gopuram at entrance of the inner prakaram. Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be found between the rajagopuram and the second level gopuram. Kodimara Vinayagar can be seen at the base of the Dhwaja Sthambam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and maha mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Manavala Nayakar / Arulvallanathar / Arul Vallal Nayakar / Kalyana Sundareswarar / Udhvaganathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested). Bikshadana, Bala Ganapathy, Nataraja, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Raahu, Durga and Gangavisarjanar are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Utsava Idols of Kalyana Sundareswarar and Kokilambal can be seen on the left side of the sanctum in the nritta mandapam. He is seen holding goddess Parvathy’s hand in wedding form. Nataraja Sabha can be seen in front of the Kalyana Sundareswarar shrine. Mother is called as Kokilambal / Yaazhinum Menmozhi Ammai.
She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in maha mandapam on the right side. She is depicted in sitting posture and has a shy smile in her face with her head facing down. It represents her as newlywed bride. There is a shrine for Mangala Rahu in the temple premises. He is depicted in human form wearing earrings and other ornaments. Special prayers for child boon are conducted in front of the Raahu shrine during new moon day (Amavasya) every month.
Shrines & Idols of Selva Ganapathy, Varasiddhi Vinayagar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Suryan, Gajalakshmi, Kala Bhairava, Saneeswarar, Nalvar, Lord Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi, Rudra Vaneswarar, Rudravaneswari, Bharatha Maharishi and Chola Queen Sembian Maadevi can be seen in the temple premises. There is no Navagrahas shrine in the temple.
Idols of Pachaiyappa Nathar, Pachai Ammai and Mallappa Naicker can be seen in the inner prakaram. These are the persons who immensely contributed to renovation of this temple. Theertham associated with this temple are Saptha Sahara Theertham / Kubera Undiyal. Saptha Sahara Theertham in the form of Agazhi (moat) encircles the temple. Sthala Vrikshams are Karu Oomathai, Kondrai and Vanni.
