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Friday, January 8, 2021

Ayavandeeswarar Temple, Seeyathamangai – The Temple

Ayavandeeswarar Temple, Seeyathamangai – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west with a five-tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple is surrounded by a granite wall on all sides. Balipeedam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram, facing the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala and Arthamandapam. There is a stucco arch at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. There is a recently built Mandapam around the sanctum.


Presiding Deity is called as Ayavandeeswarar / Brahmapureeswarar and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy. Blisters can be seen all over the Linga confirming the legend of Neelanakka Nayanar. Sanctum is guarded by Dvarapalas. Vinayaga and Dhandapani can be found at the entrance of the sanctum.


Narthana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhavar, Brahma, Arthanareeswarar, Agasthya, Gowri Leelai, Bikshadana and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Arthanareeswarar can be seen placing his hand over the bull. Mother is called as Irumalar Kannammai / Malarkannammai / Ubhaya Pushpa Viloshini. Her shrine is facing towards west with a two-tiered Gopuram.


Her shrine is like a separate temple in its own right. Her shrine is guarded by Dwara Sakthis. Mother is having third eye similar to Lord Shiva. She is in standing posture with four hands. Nandhi facing her shrine is in a little elevated level. Shrines of Vinayaga, Murugan and Suryan can be found in the prakaram of her shrine. Both the Sanctum and Mother Shrine has separate entrances.


Shrines of  Chandran, Saneeswarar, Saptha Matrikas, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Maha Lingam, Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Vinayagar in the outer prakaram (third prakaram). Saptha Matrikas Shrine is situated near the outer prakaram wall and this shrine is facing towards north. Saneeswarar can be seen keeping his leg over his vehicle crow. Sthala Vriksham is Kondrai. It is situated in outer prakaram. Lingas and Vinayaga can be found below the Kondrai Tree.


Idols and Shrines of Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Maha Lakshmi, Nalvar, Navaneetha Krishnan, Somaskanda, Maha Ganapathy and Neelanakka Nayanar along with his consort Mangaiyarkarasi  can be seen in the second prakaram. Nataraja Sabha houses Nataraja with is consort Shivagami accompanied by Manickavasagar. Idols of Neela Nakka Nayanar with this wife and Utsava Idol of Nadana Sundarar can be found in the inner prakaram (first prakaram).


Sculptures of Anjaneya with a bell on his tail and Bala Krishna crawling on the floor can be seen in the pillars. There is a unique temple tank situated in front of the temple. The Upper half of the tank is called as Chandra Theertham and lower half is called as Surya Theertham. Shrine of Siddhi Vinayaga can be seen at the banks of the Temple tank.