Karaneeswarar Temple, Saidapet – The Temple
This
temple has a seven tiered Rajagopuram with two prakarams (closed precincts
of a temple). The stucco idols in the tower are very attractive. The temple
tower is south-faced. Presiding Deity is called as Karaneeswarar. Presiding
Deity is housed in the form of Shiva Linga in the sanctum. The sanctum is east
facing. The Dwarapalas at the entrance of the sanctum are big and beautiful. The
entrance also has the idols of Ganesha and Murugan. Dhakshinamoorthi, Vishnu,
Brahma and Durga are the niche idols located around the sanctum walls.
The flag
staff, bali peetha and Nandi are found facing towards the sanctum. Ganesha, Chandikeswarar
is situated on his usual location. Mother is called as Swarnambikai and is
facing east. The shrine of the goddess is located next to Karaneeswarar
sanctum, At the entrance of the courtyard Kodi Mara Vinayaka and Bala
Subramanya are found. Facing the tower, there is another idol of Ganesha.
The
idols of Ganesha, Sekkizhar, 63 Nayanmars, Shiva Lingam, Bhairava, and Surya
are found in the prakara. There are shrines for the Utsava (metal) idols of Nataraja
– Sivakami, Karaikal Ammaiyar, Somaskandar, Nalvars, Chandrasekhar, Bikshadana,
Shanmuga with Valli & Devasena and Murugan with Valli & Devasena. All
the idols are exceptionally good; especially the idol of Karaikal Ammaiyar is
very lively.
The
outer prakaram is wide and large. There is a shrine for another Shiv Linga in
the outer prakaram - this Linga idol is bigger than the main deity
Karaneeswarar. The name of the deity is Vedagiriswarar. He is found along with
his consort Tripura Sundari. There is a separate shrine for Saneeswarar and
another for Anjaneya. Navagraha idols are also found here.
There is
a shrine for Veerabhadra and Nandi idol is found opposite to Veerabhadra, which
is generally not the case in other temples. There are two more shrines in the
outer prakara - one for Palani Andavar and another for Siva Subramanya found
along with his two consorts Valli and Devasena.
A large and
beautiful temple tank is found west of the temple. The Temple tank is located
little away from the main temple and on the steps of the tank a shrine for Lord
Ganesha - who is in a standing posture along with his consorts siddhi and
Buddhi can be seen. This temple has Nandavanam (Garden) as well.
