Friday, November 20, 2020

Kadaimudinathar Temple, Keezhaiyur – The Temple

Kadaimudinathar Temple, Keezhaiyur – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Murugan and Vinayaga. There is another entrance on the southern side directly opposite to Mother shrine. Balipeedam can be found immediately after the entrance arch. Nandi can be found in Mukha Mandapam, facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam.


Presiding Deity is called as Kadaimudinathar / Antha Samrakshaneswarar / Kadaimudi Eswarar and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Lord Shiva graces in the temple as Shodasa Linga (with 16 stripes). Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. Lord Dakshinamurthy has a ring only in one ear. 


Nataraja Sabha housing Lord Nataraja and his consort Shivagami can be seen in Maha Mandapam. Mother is called as Abhiramavalli. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam to the right side of the sanctum. There is a shrine for Navagrahas in the temple premises. Navagrahas are placed in a hexagonal platform. The planets are not in a regular line. They are looking front and back to each other. 


There are shrines for Kadaimudi Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Suryan, Bhairavar (he too has a ring only in one ear similar to Dakshinamoorthy) and Moovar in the temple premises. Theerthams associated with this temple are Brahma Theertham, Karuna Theertham and River Cauvery. Cauvery river changes its direction from north to west in this place. It is considered auspicious to take bath here. Sthala Vriksham is Kiluvai Tree. The ancient idol (Adhi Lingam) called as Kiluvai Nadhar is housed in a small shrine under Kiluvai Tree. A Nandi can be seen facing the Lord.