Vaikal Nathar Temple, Vaikal –
The Temple
This Temple is facing towards with an unfinished Rajagopuram (Mottai Gopuram without any tiers) and has a single prakaram. There is a shrine for Vinayagar on the left side of the entrance. It is believed that King Kochengat Chola built around 70 Maadakovils. This Temple is considered one among them. The unique feature about these temples are that it is not easily approachable by an elephant.
He built these temples at an elevation and there are few steps need to be climbed before seeing Lord in the sanctum. Also, the entrance to the sanctum would be so narrow that elephants cannot enter it. The Mada Kovil was built on a 5 feet high raised platform. The steps to Mada Kovil is from southern prakaram.
Nandi and Balipeedam can be found in the platform of Mada Kovil, facing the sanctum. Vinayaga can be found on the wall at the entrance of the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Vaikal Nathar / Vaikalnatheswarar / Shenbaga Aranyeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Only Dakshinamoorthy is found in the Koshta in the sanctum wall. Mother is called as Vaikal Ambigai / Kombiyal Kothai / Shaka Komalavalli. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated to the right side of the sanctum.
There are shrines for Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devasena, Lord Vishnu with his consorts Sridevi & Bhoodevi, Gajalakshmi, Chandikeswarar with his consort Chandikeswari, Suryan, Kalabhairava and Saneeswarar in the temple premises. There is no Navagraha shrine in this temple. Theertham associated with this temple is Shenbaga Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Shenbaga tree.
