Bhoologanathar
Temple, Thirumangalam – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Vinayaga and Murugan. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing towards sanctum. It is unique to notice nandi with his front right leg slightly moved forward as if ready to stand up. The Temple has two prakarams one around the sanctum and the other around Parvathy shrine.
It is said that there was a spacious third prakaram around both the sanctum and Parvathy shrine but was lost due to the encroachments. The Temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam, snapana mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Bhoologanathar / Vikrama Chozheeswarar and is facing east.
He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The vimana over the sanctum is of two tiers. Ganapathy, Bikshadana, Uma Sahitha Rishabantika and Dakshinamoorthy are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. The koshta enshrining the Dakshinamoorthy is provided with a mukha mandapa with lion pillars. It is a unique architectural feature attributed to Cholas.
Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Bhoologanayagi. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. She is depicted in standing posture. She is four-armed holding akshara mala and lotus in upper hands and showing abhaya and varada hastha in lower hands.
Her shrine is like a separate temple with a prakaram situated to the left side of the sanctum. Her shrine can be entered through an entrance on the northern wall. There is a south facing Nataraja Sabha in mukha mandapam. The pillars of this sabha is carved with sculptures of damsels in dancing posture accompanied by drummers.
Shrines and Idols of Vinayagar, Murugan, Kala Aghora Moorthy, Uma Maheswarar, Suryan, Chandran, Bhairavar, Appar, Thirugnana Sambandar, Sundarar and Nagas can be found in the temple premises. Lord Murugan of this temple is depicted in Brahma Sastha form. He is found seated in peacock mount and holds Japa mala in his hand.
