Sangameshwarar Temple, Bhavani – Mother Shrine
Mother
is called as Vedanayaki / Bhavani / Sangameshwari / Maruthunayaki / Vakreswari /
Pannaar Mozhiyal. Goddess Vedanayaki is housed in a separate shrine and is facing
east. The third day from Ratha Sapthami in the Tamil month of Maasi (latter
half of February - first half of March) is a special day here as the sun's rays
fall over Sangameshwarar and Goddess Vedanayaki. It is believed that
Goddess Vedanayaki has been worshipped by the four Vedas themselves which is
why she bears that name.
She
looks divine and welcoming as if waiting for us to visit her. She has four
arms, the lower in abhaya and Vara mudras. The upper arms carry padmam (lotus).
Around the garba Graha there is an enclosure for circumambulation. On the walls
are beautiful pictures of goddesses of famous temples of Tamil Nadu from
Thiruvenkadu to Madurai. This a recent addition to the shrine.
This
shrine has a mandapam in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. One of the unique
features of this mandapam is that there are two identical statues on the
pillars on either side facing the sanctum sanctorum. When water is poured over
them one of the idols has a smiling expression while the other takes on a
crying expression. This is a classic example of the sculptural excellence
of the craftsmen of yore.
The
sculptures at the Nrithya Mandapam of Vedanayaki shrine is in Taramangalam
style similar to the one found in the Kailasanathar temple built by Getti
Mudaliyars at Taramangalam. There is a huge book shop in front of Vedanayaki
shrine selling interesting devotional literature. The temple got a
precious Ambal statue, a Hindu goddess donated by a district
collector during British period for saving his life.
