Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple,
Manampathi – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with five tiered Rajagopuram. Dwajastambam, Balipeedam and Nandhi can be found immediately after the rajagopuram, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Shrines of Vallaba Ganapathy and Navagrahas can be seen in the mukha mandapam. Dvarapalas can be seen guarding the entrance of the maha mandapam.
Presiding Deity is called as Thirukkarai Eswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of an elephant in its sitting posture. Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Mother is called as Pathalambikai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine.
Her shrine is situated on the right side immediately after the rajagopuram. Her shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and mukha mandapam. Her mount, lion and Balipeedam can be found in the mukha mandapam facing towards her sanctum. Shrines of Vinayaga, Kasi Viswanathar, Visalakshi, Nalvar, Suryan, Utsava Idols, Veerabhadra, Naga Lingam, Naga Ganapathy, Naga Subramanyar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena and Ayyapan can be found in the temple premises.
This temple has two Bhairava idols, one for Valar Pirai (Waxing moon) and Thei Pirai (Waning Moon). Sculptures of Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar, Veerabhadra and Jyeshta Devi can be seen lying in the outer prakaram. The Temple tank is situated right behind the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree.
