Haridwaramangalam Padaleswarar Temple – The Temple
The Temple is having 3 tiered Rajagopuram and facing
east. Presiding deity of the temple is a Swayambumurthy. The name of the diety
is Paathaleswarar (Paathala meaning the netherworld) and Alankara Valli is his
consort. There is supposedly a pit in the sanctum sanctorum, now covered with a
stone, which is believed to have been made by Vishnu and hence the name – Hari
(Vishnu) Dwara (pit) Mangalam (holy place).
Lord Padala Easwara relieves his devotees from debt
burdens. As Mother Alankara Valli has the attributes of Mother Durga,
there is no separate shrine for Mother Durga. Mother relieves her
devotees from all evil aspects. The very appearance of Mother facing
east is praised as Kalyana Kolam or Wedding Form. Lord
Dakshinamurthy has a special significance in the temple.
The consecration of the temple was celebrated in 2006
after 410 years. The most significant feature of the temple is the seven
Vinayakas gracing the devotees. There are shrines for Lords Vinayaka, Nataraja
with sages Patanjali and Vyakrapada, Kasi Viswanatha, Bhairava, Lingodhbava,
Sani Baghwan (Saturn), Sun, Moon, Saint Sambandar and Sapthamadhas.
Theertham is Brahma Theertham and Sthala Vriksham is Vanni.
One can find two Vanni maram on both end of temple. The temple is evidently an ancient one, dating back to the days
before Raja Raja Chozhan. Most of the original structure has fallen into
disrepair, and the temple is being renovated, but one can still see some parts
of the original structure like an arch here and there.
