Etteeswarar Temple, Paiyanoor
– The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east. Nandi, Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be found facing the sanctum. Nandi is called as Apoorva Nandeeswarar. He is depicted with erected ears as if he listens to everything going around. Idol of Idaikattu Siddhar can be seen at the entrance of the temple.
The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antrala, Maha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Sub Shrines of Vinayaga and Murugan can be seen at the entrance of the Maha Mandapam. Dvarapalas can be seen guarding the entrance of the Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Etteeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam in square Avudaiyar.
It is said that the Lingam was installed over the Jeeva Samadhi of Idaikattu Siddhar. The sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. Nardana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location.
Mother is called as Ezhilarkuzhali. She is housed in a south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Mukha Mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. A Shiva Linga named Santhana Maha Lingam can be seen under a shed in the temple premises. It has been found during the desilting process of the temple tank, Bhairavar Kulam.
This Lingam is believed to be around 2000 years and might have been the presiding deity of the long lost temple once existed in the nearby village. Generally, Sarabeswarar is found in the pillars in most of the temple. But here is housed in a separate shrine. There is a separate shrine for Navagrahas in the temple. Navagrahas are seen with their consorts in the shrine.
Shrines and Idols of Vinayaka, Muruga with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Nagas, Vallalar, Agastya, Naalvar, Bhairava, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvars, Vallalar and Agastya can be seen in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Bhairavar Kulam. This Pond is shared between this temple and the nearby Karunakara Perumal Temple. Sthala Vriksham is Erukkam Poo.
