Sakthivanesvara Temple, Thirusakthimutram – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. The temple covers an area of about 3 acres and has two prakarams. There is a shrine for Vallaba Vinayagar at the entrance of the temple. Nandhi, Balipeedam and Dwajastambam can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram facing the sanctum in outer prakaram. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Sakthivanesvarar / Thazhuva Kuzhaintha Nathar / Sivakkozhuntheswarar / Sakthi Thazhuviya Udayar and is facing east. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. It has traces of Agni (flames) in it. The sanctum sanctorum is of Agazhi type. It is surrounded by a moat like formation on all the 4 sides. Idols of Somaskanda and Mother Sakthi & Sthala Aideeka Murthy can be seen on either side of the entrance to the sanctum.
Vinayagar, Agastya, Nataraja, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma, and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. Durga can be found holding Shanga and Chakra. She is gracing the devotees by showing Abhaya Mudra. She is standing on the head of Mahishasura. There is a separate shrine of Mother Parvathi embracing Shiva in Linga roopam at the northern side near the sanctum sanctorum.
Mother performing penance standing on a single leg, is also depicted behind this sculpture. It is said that this a replica of Mother Kamakshi embracing Lord in Kancheepuram. As Mother performed Alinganam of the Swamy, this is a very special temple for those praying for a good life partner and also for the married couple, to remain inseparable from their spouses. Even the couple who are separated rejoin if they pray in this temple. Hence it is considered an important Parihara Sthalam for marital bliss.
Mother is called as Periyanayaki / Brihannayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her Shrine is situated in the inner prakaram. The outer prakaram is spacious. Vasantha Mandapam can be seen in the outer prakaram. The Inner prakaram can be accessed via second gopuram. Lord Murugan and Vinayaga can be seen at the entrance of this gopuram. There is a Shrine for Bhairava in the inner prakaram around the sanctum. He is about 6 feet tall.
There is a shrine for Arumugam in the inner prakaram. Lord Murugan is having six faces and 12 hands. He is gracing the devotees along with his consorts Valli & Deivanai. He is found sitting in peacock. He is facing east. Vinayagar, Somaskanda, Naalvar, Three Lingams worshipped by Agasthya, Kasi Viswanathar, Nataraja, Sarabeswarar, Suryan, Chandran, Nagas, Saneeswarar and Gaja Lakshmi can be found in the inner prakaram.
There is no Navagraha shrine at this temple. The shrines for Nataraja and Sarabeswarar are of importance here. Nirtha Mandapam can be found in the inner prakaram. Idols of Thirugnana Sambanthar and Appar can be seen in the inner prakaram. Theertham associated with this temple is Soola Theertham / Surya Theertham. It is situated outside the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam Tree.
