Othandeeswarar Temple, Thirumazhisai – The Temple

Othandeeswarar Temple, Thirumazhisai – The Temple

Othandeeswarar temple has a seven-tiered Rajagopuram, the gateway tower piercing the rectangular granite walls around the temple. The temple has a very vast outer Prakaram with huge Dwajasthambam near which Nandhigeswarar is facing the Lord. Palipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Nandhi mandapam are on the east side facing moolavar. Presiding Deity is called as Othandeeswarar / Agastheeshwarar / Kai Thanda Piran / Mano Anukula Easwarar and is facing east.

The presiding deity, in the form of Lingam is housed in the sanctum. There is a scar on the head of Shiva Linga caused by a cut. Lord and Mother grace together from behind the Linga in the sanctum sanctorum facing east. Devotees firmly believe that worshipping them together would release them from all the sins and ensure total salvation. Lord Othandeswarar is also praised as Mano Anukula Easwarar as he blesses the devotees with mental strength.

Beautifully sculpted Dwarapalakas are seen on either side of the sanctum, guarding the Lord. The vimana, structure over the sanctum is in the form of Gajabrushta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. Vinayakar, Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durgai are the niche idols present in the sanctum walls. The sanctum is approached from the main entrance through the flag staff hall, Maha mandapam and Artha mandapam.

The flag staff is in the flagstaff hall axial to the sanctum. An image of Nandi faces the main shrine in the Maha Mandapam. There are shrines of Vinayaka, Muruga before the Mahamandapam. Mother is called as Kulirvithanayaki / Seethalambikai. The shrine of Kulirvithanayaki is in the second precinct. The Goddess is facing South holding Angusam and Pasam (weapons) on hand and showing Abhaya Hastham, blessing the devotees.

Sri Maha Bhairavar is present north east to Mother and is facing south. The temple has a shrine of Nataraja (dancing form of Shiva) and his consort Sivakami facing each other. Those facing misunderstanding in family life pray to them for a solution. There is a shrine for Vishnu in the second precinct.  Lord Ganesha gives Dharshan here as Devaraja Ganapathi facing the main entrance. Lord Vinayaka of the temple is revered as Prasanna Vinayaka.

There is another shrine for Lord Shiva called Gangadareswarar in the outer prakaram. It is believed that Gangadareswarar was installed and worshipped by Sage Pulasthiyar, who was the disciple of Agasthiyar. The Goddess for this shrine is Parvatha Vardhini. There is a separate shrine for Lord Saneeswarar, facing west, at the north-east corner of this temple. There is a well nearby, from which the water is used for Abishekams to the deities. This is called Kalyana Theertham.

Originally Azhinjil tree was the Sthala Viruksham for this temple. But, as Azhinjil trees are not found here at present, Vilvam and Parijatham are considered Sthala Vrikshams for this temple. There is a very huge and beautiful temple pond on the eastern side of the temple. This pond is called Agasthiyar Theertham. There is a separate Shrine for Lord Murugan along with Goddess Valli and Devayani in the prakaram and this shrine could be a later addition.

Shrines of Veegavagudevar, Katchikodutha Nayagar, Surya, Chandra, Naalvar, Virusha Nayagar, Adhikara Nandi, Chandikeswara, Somaskandar, Baagampriyal Amman and Piriyavidai Amman can be found in the prakaram. The depiction of the 63 Nayanmars in the temple Vimaanam is a unique feature here. The temple car is 47 ft tall.