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Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Prathiyangara Devi Temple, Ayyavadi – The Temple

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.