Saturday, October 24, 2020

Bageeshwarar Temple, Kanchipuram – The Temple

Bageeshwarar Temple, Kanchipuram – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Lord Shiva & Parvati along with Murugan and Ganesha flanked by Nandis and Bhooda Ganas. There is another entrance arch with Lord Shiva & Parvathy having Ganesha & Murugan seated on their laps respectively flanked by Bhooda Ganas and Nandis.

The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Nalvar, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar and Navagrahas can be seen in the Maha Mandapam. Dvarapalas made of stucco can be seen at the entrance of the Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Bageeshwarar / Bhargaveswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Tripura Sundari. The Vimana over the sanctum follows Vesara style architecture and is of single tier. There is a Lingam called as Atheeswarar flanked by Dvarapalas can be seen on the walls.

The Lingam and Dvarapalas are made of stucco. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen facing Atheeswarar. There are shrines for Vinayaga and Lord Murugan in the temple premises. There is a sub shrine for Vinai Kalaiyum Vinayagar flanked by Raghu and Ketu under Peepal tree. Bala Vinayagar can be seen on the wall behind this sub shrine. Nandavanam is situated on the back side of the temple.