Vilvavaneswarar Temple, Nallur – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with three tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple is situated at the confluence of three rivers namely Manimutharu River, Gomukhi River and Mayura River. Manimutharu River flows in the northern side, Gomukhi River flows in the eastern side and Mayura River flows in the southern side of the Temple. The Temple is situated in an elevated area at the confluence of these three rivers.
Marriage Halls and Mukha Mandapam can be found immediately after the Rajagopuram. The Temple consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. There is a fish symbol on the Vidhana of the Mukha Mandapam. Nandi, Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be found in the Mukha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Vilvavaneswarar / Nallanaygar / Dharmeswarar and is facing east.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Madhava Perumal, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Brihannayagi / Periyanayaki. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. Her shrine consists of Sanctum, Artha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam.
There is a Dhwaja Sthambam facing her shrine. Kriya Sakthi, Gnana Sakthi and Brahma Sakthi are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls of Mother Shrine. Veera Bhadra Shrine can be seen in the Mukha Mandapam of Mother Shrine. His Shrine is facing towards south. Shrines of Navagrahas, Bhairava and Surya can be found in the north east corner of the temple premises.
Idols and Shrines of 63 Nayanmars, Pranathiyaga Lingam, Dhandapani, Lakshmi Narayana and Maha Lakshmi can be found in the inner prakaram around the sanctum There is a north facing shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai in the temple premises. Inscriptions can be found in the pillars of Artha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam.
