Nandikeswarar Temple, Thenur –
The Temple
This is an east facing temple
with entrances on eastern and southern side. Nandi, Balipeedam and Dwajastambam
can be found facing the sanctum, located in the outer prakaram. The Sanctum
Sanctorum consists of Maha Mandapam, Artha Mandapam and Sanctum. Idols of
Thuraiyur Jamin and his wife can be found in the pillars of Maha Mandapam. Both
of them are in praying posture facing towards sanctum.
There is a beautiful sculpture
of Sarabeswarar in the Vithana of middle portion of Maha Mandapam. Sarabeswarar
is seen with three legs, with body and face of a lion and a tail. It has four
human arms, the right upper hand holds axe, noose is held in the lower right
hand, the deer in the upper left hand and fire in the lower left hand.
Narasimha is shown worshipping Sarabeswarar.
Near to Sarabeswarar icon,
miniature sculpture of Suryan, Chandran and Devas worshipping Nakshatra shaped
rim can be found. Sculpture of four headed Brahma holding Akshara Mala and
Kendi in his hands can be found to the left side. Thenur Varagavi Songs were
etched on the entrance of Artha Mandapam. Dwarapalakas can be found at the
entrance of sanctum.
Presiding Deity is called as
Nandikeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of
Lingam. Sun rays will fall on Lingam during 27, 28 and 29 of Dhanur Month.
Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta Idols
located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar can be found in his usual
location.
There is an inscription dated to
17th Century AD on the right-side wall of the sanctum. It records a gift of a
devotee from Thuraiyur. Inscriptions can be found on the walls of Artha
Mandapam and Sanctum. Mother is called as Mahasampath Gowri. She is housed in a
separate south facing shrine. She is in standing posture. She is having four
hands, holding lotus in top two hands and showing Abhaya and Varada Hastha in
the lower two hands.
There are five Koshta Idols of
Amman, located on the shrine walls. Jeeva Samadhi of Mahan Guru Moorthy can be
found behind the sanctum. It is situated on the south west corner of the Temple
premises. Pathala Lingam, similar to Thiruvannamalai Temple, can be found near
the Jeeva Samadhi. This Shrine is situated below ground and houses a Lingam,
brought from Kasi. This shrine is good to do meditation.
There are shrines of Niruthi
Ganapathy, Krishna, Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Kasi
Viswanathar, Nataraja, Navagrahas, Chandran and Suryan can be found in the
south west corner of the Temple premises. A Theertha Well can also be found in
the south west corner of the Temple premises.