Athmanatha
Swamy Temple, Avudaiyarkoil – Mandapams
The Temple is also known as
Atheetha Sabha as it has six Sabhas, the Kanaka Sabha, Chit Sabha, Sat Sabha,
Ananda Sabha, Ratna Sabha and Deva Sabha in comparison to five Sabhas at
Chidambaram, each of these halls is named after Shaivite theological terms.
These halls have exquisite carvings. It is believed that Manikkavasakar himself built these
Sabhas and covered the Sabhas with 21600 plates of copper. Mahamandapam
represents Sath, Ardhamandapam the Chith and the sanctum sanctorum the
Anandha.
Thousand Pillared Hall:
Thousand
Pillared Hall of this Temple is known as Peria Mandapam / Raghunatha Boopala
Mandapam / Aiyirangaal Mandapam. The bow wielding Muruga
(Dhanurdhara Subramanya), Ugra Narasimhar, Bikshadana, Aghora Veerabhadra,
Agni Veerabhadra, Oordhwa Thandavam of Lord Shiva, Karaikal
Ammaiyar are the finest specimen in sculptural art in the thousand pillared
hall.
Panchakshara Mandapam:
Panchakshara
Mandapam is also known as Kanaka Sabhai / Golden Hall. The ceiling of
the Kanaga Sabha (golden hall) is a grandeur creation in stone. The
ropes, rafters and nails all are made of granite.
Thyagaraja Mandapam:
Thyagaraja
Mandapam is situated at the northern end of the third prakaram. The Kodungai
work is prominently seen on the stone chains hanging from the ceiling in
Thyagaraja Mandapam. Kodungai carving, the work done under the stone that forms
the sun shade or overhang of the roof. It usually sits on top of the beam stone
and is a superb example of the craft of the 9th century artisans. There are niches for Muthu Vinayagar and Mahalinga Moorthy here.
Oonjal Mandapam:
The Oonjal Mandapam
is situated behind the Thyagaraja Mandapam. Oonjal Mandapam has been combined
with the Thyagaraja Mandapam. The utsava idol of Manickavasagar is brought out
for worship on the third-day of the ten-day festival in the months of Aani and
Margazhi.