Pathanjali Manoharar Temple,
Vilamal – The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Vinayaga, Murugan, Parvati and Ayyapan. Sub shrines of Vinayaga and Murugan can be seen at the entrance arch on either side. The temple has two prakarams. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found immediately after the entrance arch facing towards the sanctum. It is said that Lord Shiva performed his Ajaba Nadanam in the north eastern side of the temple. Thus, Nandi can be seen looking in that direction.
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. Dvarapalas made of stucco can be seen at the entrance of the ardha mandapam on either side. Presiding Deity is called as Pathanjali Manoharar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested). The Lingam is said to be made of mud. Hence, there is no abhishekam to the Lingam. It is said that the Lingam looks like Jyothi Swaroopam when aarti is shown.
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An idol of Nataraja is present behind the Shiva Lingam and the image of the left foot of Lord Shiva (Rudra Padam) is present in front of the Shiva Lingam in the sanctum. It is considered auspicious to worship all the three at the same time. It is unique to note that the idol of Vishnu is seen holding the Thiruvadi (holy feet) of Lord Shiva on his head. It is customary that one has to visit this temple for Sripada (holy feet) darshan of Lord Shiva after the Srimukha (holy face) darshan of Thyagaraja at Thiruvarur.
Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. The koshta image of Durga is eight armed. Hence, she is also called as Ashta Bhuja Durga / Raja Durga. She holds several weapons and parrot in her hands and found seated on her lion mount. Chandikeswarar can be seen in his usual location. The vimana over the sanctum is of single tier and follows dravidian style of architecture.
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Mother is called as Madhurabashini / Thenmozhi Ammai (honey like speech) / Yaazhinum Men Mozhi Ammai (voice sweeter than Yazh, a musical instrument) / Manjulavaani / Dharini / Rajasimhasaneswari / Lalithambigai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in maha mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. Lord Shiva is said to have a third eye fiery like the sun, but goddess here has third eye cool like the moon.
She has Sri Chakra in her hand. Idols of Patanjali and Vyagrapada can be seen in the maha mandapam. There is a south facing shrine for Bhairavar in the temple premises. The Bhairava idol is quite big and has crescent moon on his head. The Bhairavar here is considered as head of the nine planets known as Kshetra Balagar. Hence, there is no Navagrahas shrine in this temple.
Shrines of Siddhi Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Chandran, Suryan, Nalvar, Saneeswarar and Gajalakshmi can be seen in the temple premises. There is a well in the inner prakaram. There is a garden in the outer prakaram. The outer prakaram has no shrines. Theertham associated with this temple is Agni Theertham. It is situated in front of the temple. Sthala Vrikshams are Vilvam Tree and Kiluvai tree.
