Keezhaiyur Twin Temples,
Pazhuvur – The Temple
This
Temple Complex is west facing with three tiered Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas
can be found at the entrance of the Rajagopuram. TheTemple complex consists of two temples. The temple in the north is
called as Vadavayil Srikoil (Chozheeswaram or Arunchaleswaram) and
the one in the south is called as Thenvayil Srikoil (Agastheeswaram).
This
Temple Complex is also called as Avanigandarba Eswara Griham. Both the
temples are enclosed with in a common wall. Although, the temple is located at
a prime junction, it is not frequented by the devotees. The
temple has been the centre for promoting art and culture. The temple has
attached importance to music. This is evident from one of the idols on the
Vimanam holding a musical instrument.
Vadavayil Srikoil:
This Temple is considered small
when compared to its southern counterpart. Presiding Deity is called as Chozheeswarar
/ Arunachaleswarar and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form
of Shiva Lingam. It has round shikara over the sanctum. Vimana is of two tiers.
Brahma, Murugan and Dakshinamoorthy are the Koshta idols located around sanctum
walls. Mother is called as Manonmani.
Thenvayil Srikoil:
This Temple is considered as
bigger than the northern temple. The Temple can be entered from south with a
front Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Agastheeswarar and is facing west.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Shiva Lingam. It has square shikara
over the sanctum. Vimana is of two tiers. Brahma, Murugan and Chandrasekarar
instead of Dakshinamoorthy are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum
walls. Nandi can be found facing the sanctum.
Nandi looks like live specimen. The
folds of the skin at the neck will tempt one to touch it to make sure it is
indeed a stone sculpture and not a real bull. Lion pillars similar to the
Pallava pillars found in Kanchipuram Kailasanathar Temple can be found in the
Mukha Mandapam. There are four pillars outside the sanctum. It is believed that
the top of these four pillars can be rotated. As of now, one can be rotated. There
is a beautiful sculpture of Lord Shiva and Parvati in the Mukha Mandapa.
There is also another Nandi in a
corner of the mukhamandapa. An inscription here shows that one of Rajaraja I's
queens belonged to the Pazhuvettaraiyar clan. The inscription, of the 27 regnal
year of Rajaraja, says that upon the request of his queen Nakkan Panchavan
Mahadevi, the daughter of Avani Kandarpa Purattu Devanar of Pazhuvur, the king
granted income from newly surveyed lands to the temple. Mother is called as Abitha
Kujalambal.
Other Shrines:
There are shrines for Vinayagar
in the south east side, Subramanya in the west side, Chandikeswarar in the east
side, Sapthamathas in the south side, later period Amman shrine in the north
side and Yogeeswarar can be found in the
temple premises.
