Saturday, June 27, 2020

Saptharisheeswarar Temple, Ammachatram – The Temple

Saptharisheeswarar Temple, Ammachatram – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with 3 tiered Rajagopuram facing south. Dwajastambam can be found facing the sanctum. Kodimara Vinayaga can be found near the Dwajastambam. Presiding Deity is called as Saptharisheeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.

Chandikeswarar shrine can be found in his usual location. Mother is called as Gnanambigai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Rasi Mandala sculpture can be found in the Vidhana of the Mandapam. Though it is Shiva Temple, the temple is famous for its Kala Bhairava Shrine. Kala Bhairavar is housed in a Mandapam, situated on the north east corner of temple premises.

There are Naga, Surya and Chandran can be found near Kala Bhairavar shrine. Saneeswarar is housed in a north facing shrine in the prakaram. There are shrines and idols of Vinayaka, Marishi, Mahalakshmi, Murugan, Linga near Murugan Shrine, Gaja Lakshmi, Vayu Lingam, Naalvar and Saptha Rishis can be found in the temple premises.

The temple has five Shivalingams, including the presiding deity. The Temple has two Sthala Vrikshams (temple trees) namely Vilva tree and Jackfruit tree. There is Theertha well in the temple premises. It is believed that the temple has an underground tunnel connecting the temple to Thanjavur in the temple premises