Prathiyangara Devi Temple,
Ayyavadi – The Temple
This is a small east facing Temple with one prakaram. The entrance is regulated through a metal shed with
railings to control the crowds during festival days. As per Agama rules, Hindu
temples are generally not constructed near the cremation grounds (with few
exceptions). This is one of the exempted category temples with eight cremation
grounds around this temple.
The construction of this temple
is different from the normal South Indian temples. It looks more like a North
Indian temple. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeshwarar and is facing east.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Mother is called as Dharma
Samvardhini. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Banyan is the
sacred tree of the temple. One can observe the banyan tree having unique five
different leaves which is seen only in this temple.
Though the presiding Deity is
Lord Shiva, importance is given to Prathiyangara Devi. Even, the Temple is also
called as Prathiyangara Devi Temple. There is a shrine for Prathiyangara Devi
in the prakaram. She is facing North which is an unusual direction for the deities
in South Indian temples. The Vimana of the temple is of the North Indian temple
design.
The Devi is usually seen as Simha
Vahini (seated on a lion), but in this temple Devi is seated in a Ratha which
is pulled by four Simhas with Lakshmi and Saraswathi on both sides. Prathiyangara
Devi with her Lion face and 18 hands and smiling face appeared
from the forehead eye of Lord Sarabeswarar.
She is dark in complexion
wearing crescent moon on the head and holding trident, Pasam, Damaruka, a
leather musical instrument and wearing mundamaalai (the garland of human skulls).
She wears Sri Chakra Thatankam in her ears and Adimoola Bhadrakali in the
heart. Sri Chakra Thatankam is worn by Ambal only in three places –
Thiruvanaikaval, Thirukkadaiyur and Ayyavadi.
