Atulya
Nadheswarar Temple, Arakandanallur – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards west with seven tiered Rajagopuram and has three prakarams. The Rajagopuram is about 160 feet high. The Temple is spread over an area of 2 acres (8,100 m2), situated on a small hillock. The Temple is enclosed by compound walls on all sides. Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be found in the outer prakaram, facing the Sanctum.
There are two Nandis namely Pradosha Nandi and Adhikara Nandi, in front the sanctum. It is said, one Nandi is slightly leaned towards right side to enable Thirugnana Sambanda Nayanar to have a clear view of Lord Shiva in the Sanctum. One Nandi is facing Lord Shiva in sanctum and other Nandi is facing the opposite direction.
The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. The entrance to the sanctum is from the southern side. Dvarapalas can be seen guarding the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Atulya Nadheswarar / Oppilaa Maneeswarar / Oppillaadha Eswarar / Oppillaadha Nayanaar / Arayani Nathar and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Lord is a Swayambhu Murthy (self-manifested). He is seated under Rudraksha Pandal. The sanctum sanctorum is of Agazhi type. It is surrounded by a moat like formation on all the 4 sides. Nardana Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
The circumbulatory path around the sanctum is in the form of enclosed mandapam on a raised platform. This structure is called as Thirunadai Maligai. Idols of Balamurugan, Gajalakshmi, Vishnu, Sridevi, Brahma, Nataraja, Sankara Narayana, Hanuman, Saneeswarar and Jyeshta Devi can be seen in Thirunadai Maligai.
Mother is called as Soundarya Kanakambikai / Azhagiya Ponnammai / Arul Nayagi / Azhagiya Ponnazhagi. She is housed in a south facing shrine. Her shrine consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and a pillared Mukha Mandapam. Her shrine is situated to the right side of Sanctum in second prakaram. Dwarapalakis can be seen on either side of her shrine, guarding the sanctum.
Shrine of Arunachaleswarar (Annamalaiyar) can be found next to Mother Shrine. It is located to the south east of the Sanctum in the second precinct. There are two small feets engraved on a stone pedestal can be seen in the outer prakaram near Arunachaleswarar Shrine. It is believed to be foot imprints of Saint Thirugnana Sambandar.
Shrines of Nayanmar Thirugnana Sambanthar and Ramana Maharishi can be seen in the inner prakaram around the sanctum in front of Nalvar Shrine. The idol of Ramana Maharishi is depicted in the form of a young boy in a meditative posture. It is said that both Thirugnana Sambantha Nayanmar and Ramana Maharishi had experienced Lord Shiva in the form of divine light at this temple.
There is a granite slab at the foot of Thirugnana Sambandar, describes about this divine experience. There is a photograph of Ramana Maharishi can be seen next to the shrine of Ramana Maharishi. Sthala Vinayagar is called as Valampuri Vinayagar. His Shrine is situated near Ramana Maharishi Shrine. Vinayagar idol is big and believed to be Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested).
Shrine of Kasi Viswanathar along with his consort Visalakshi can be seen next to Valampuri Vinayagar Shrine. There is a north facing shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai in the temple premises. He is depicted with a single face and six hands. There is a south facing shrine for Vishnu Durga in the inner prakaram. Her shrine is situated on the north eastern corner.
Idols of Saptamatrikas flanked by Vinayaga and Ayyapan can be seen in the inner prakaram. There is a shrine for Navagrahas in the temple premises. The Idol of Saneeswarar in the group is depicted with one leg placed on top of his mount (crow). There is a shrine for Bhairava in the temple premises. This shrine houses a unique idol of Bhairava without his mount (Dog). There is a dilapidated Nadana Mandapam in the temple premises.
Theertham associated with this temple are Thenpennai River, Indra Theertham, Bheema Kulam (Veeman Kulam), Draupadi Theertham and Pandava Theertham. Draupadi Theertham and Pandava Theertham are two Sunais (water streams) on the hillock which are said to have been used by Pandavas and Draupadi. The temple tank, Indra Theertha, is located 1 Km from the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Vilva Tree.
