Sangameshwarar Temple, Bhavani – Sanctum
Presiding Deity is called as Sangameshwarar / Alagesan / Sangamanathar / Maruthuvalingam
/ Vakreswarar / Nattatriwarar / Thirunannavudayar / Vanilingeswarar. Here Lord is
'self-manifested' as a Swayambu Lingam and is facing east. It is of special
significance that the sannidhi of Lord Subrahmanya (Muruga) is situated between
those of his parents, akin to Somaskandar who is always under the love and care
of his parents. Lord is in the form of a small lingam with the Avudaiyar
shining like a metal piece.
The
separate shrine for Saturn and the ornamentation of Avudaiyar seem to be later
additions. Dwajasthambam can be found facing the sanctum. This shrine has a
captivating Nrithya Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam and Garbha Graham.
The 18 pillars of Nrithya Mandapam have sculptures of smiling figurines,
crouching lions with their mouth wide open, a hunter on a prancing horse and
figures of Sivanadiyars, besides those of Immadi Getti Mudaliyar and his sister
Chinnammal.
Sculptural
excellence peaks at the centre of its ceiling where four (originally eight
should have been there) parrots are pecking at the whorls of a lotus flower.
The ceiling also carries the inscription that the Nrithya Mandapam was
constructed by Chinnammal, sister of Mummudi Getti Mudaliyar. The Getti
Mudaliyars ruled over Dharmapuri, Salem and parts of Coimbatore with
headquarters at Amaragundi near Taramangalam in Salem district.
Since
they were loyal to the Chola, Chera and Pandya kings, Mummudi Getti Mudaliyar,
the first ruler in this lineage, carried in his state flag the logos of tiger,
bow and fish. There are small shrines of Vinayakar and Subramanian situated on
both sides of the entrance of the Nrithya Mandapam. One could also find a Nandi
of moderate size beautifully sculpted with its head tilted to the left.
Statues
of Chandra and Surya are found at the entrance to the maha Mandapam. Incidentally
this sthalam is called Bhaskara Kshetram as Surya worshipped Siva here.
Interestingly, for three days during Ratha Sapthami, the sun’s rays fall on the
Shiva Lingam and the images of Vedanayaki and Muruga. The huge shrine has
several sculptures and beautiful stone carvings on the pillars.
There is
a mandapam, in which where we see Stone pillar to the centre with Ganesha
to a side and Cow with calf to other side which looks very
attractive. Special mention must be made of Dakshinamurthy idol. Seated
under a Kallala tree with lotus flowers elegantly sculpted at the top and stone
chains running around the niche. Lord Dhakshinamoorthi’s shrine is beautifully
architected with intricate reliefs and iconographical sculptures.