Gokarnesvarar Temple,
Thirukokarnam – The Temple
This temple complex is facing towards east with a small gopuram. A pillared Mandapam can be seen at the front of the entrance. Shrine of Vinayaga can be seen at the entrance. There is a long corridor immediately after the entrance connecting the entrance to the inner prakaram. This corridor is supported by granite pillars carved with exquisite sculptures. This corridor is best example of Nayak period workmanship.
Shrines of Kasi Viswanatha and Vasantha Mandapam can be seen on the left side before Rajagopuram. The entrance to the inner prakaram is equipped with a five tiered Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas can be seen at the entrance of the Rajagopuram. Murasu (Big Drum) can be seen on the right side of Rajagopuram. The temple officials will beat this drum in the mornings and evenings, when Poojas are performed.
There is a 20 pillared Shilpa Mandapam (also called as Kalyana Mandapam / Rasi Mandapam) immediately after the Rajagopuram. The ceiling of this Mandapam is adorned with sculptures of Rasis. The pillars of this Mandapam houses sculptures of Durga, Karna, Arjuna, Manmatha, Rati, Dasaratha, Kaikeyi and other mythological characters. This Mandapam houses the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Golu Mandapam can be seen on the left side of Kalyana Mandapam. It is a large Mandapam to house Golu (festive display of dolls and figurines in South India) during Navaratri celebrations. Oonjal Mandapam and Madapalli can be seen immediately on the right side of Rajagopuram. Oonjal Mandapam is an eighteen pillared hall, used for Swinging ceremony of Lord Shiva and Parvathi.
Anuppa Mandapam can be seen on the south of Rajagopuram. This Mandapam is supported by fourteen pillars, seven in two rows. This hall leads into the inner prakaram from Rajagopuram. The celling of this Mandapam houses Ramayana paintings from Vijayanagara era. Kili Mandapam and Sukravara Mandapa are two pillared halls, situated between the ground level and inner prakaram.
Kili Mandapam is a twelve pillared hall, connecting Brahadambal, Vakulavanesvara and Mangalanayagi Shrines. Sukravara Mandapam is a hexagonal structure supported on six pillars. Sculpture of Sadasiva Brahmendra, guru of Thondaiman Rulers, can be seen in one of the pillars of this Mandapam. This Mandapam is situated in front of Brahadambal shrine.
The gate to the east of Sukravara Mandapam leads to the Mangala Theertha Mandapam and the Mangala Kulam (tank). The last Maharaja, Rajagopala Thondaiman was crowned on the steps of this tank. There are two finely carved pillars on both sides of the steps leading to the tank. They look as if two horses are bearing the pillars. Rasi Chakra can also be seen on the ceiling of Mangala Theertha Mandapam. The northern part of this mandapam is built by late Pandyas (13th century) southern part by Thondaimans (17th century AD).
Dhwaja Sthambam and Sthala Vriksham (Magizha tree) can be seen in front of Brahadambal shrine. There is a small idol of Sadashiva Brahmendra beneath the Magizha tree. Mother is called as Brahadambal / Araikasu Amman. The goddess Brahadambal was the tutelary deity of the Pudukkottai Thondaiman rulers. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine. Her Shrine consists of Sanctum and Ardha Mandapam.
Mother is given more prominence in this temple. Hence, the temple complex is also called as Brahadambal Temple / Araikasu Amman Temple. This shrine is situated in the ground level. There is a perpetual lamp which remains lit all the 24 hours in the sanctum of her shrine. This lamp is covered with a silver basket.
There is a shrine for Vakulavanesvara, situated to the west of Mangalambikai Shrine. This Shrine houses Vakulavanesvara in the form of Shiva Lingam. Lord of this shrine is named after the Sthala Vriksham (Vakula / Bakula / Magizha Maram) of this temple. This Shrine is dated to 18th century CE. Sculptures of Vinayaga and Dakshinamoorthy can be seen on the northern wall of this shrine.
The cave (Sanctum) is excavated on the southern slope of a low rising hill. Balipeedam, Dhwaja Sthambam and Nandi can be seen facing the sanctum. The sanctum houses presiding deity, Gokarnesvarar in the form of monolithic Linga. Dwarapalakas can be seen guarding the sanctum. There is a rectangular Mandapa supported by two pillars and two pilasters can be found in front of the sanctum.
There is a bas relief of Valampuri Vinayaga on the right lateral wall of the sanctum. He is depicted with four hands and seated in padmasana posture. He holds his broken tusk in his left upper hand, ankusha in his upper right hand and modaka in his right lower hand. He also holds modaka in his trunk. He is shown wearing Yagnopavita and Karanda Makuta.
There is a bas relief of Gangadhara on the left lateral wall of the sanctum. Lord Shiva is shown standing in tribhanga posture. He is depicted with four hands. He holds an akshamala in his upper right hand, tresses of his hair in his left upper hand and his lower hands are placed near his thighs. Ganga is shown descending down towards the head of the Lord holding her two hands in Anjali mudra in upper right corner.
The Maha Mandapam and the other mandapams in front of the rock cut shrine belong to the Chola and Pandya periods. Utsava idols are housed in Maha Mandapam. There is a separate south facing shrine for another Ambigai called Mangalambikai in the Maha Mandapam. Her shrine consists of Ardha Mandapam and Sanctum. There is a south facing shrine for Nataraja along with his consort Shivagami in Maha Mandapam close to Mangalambikai Shrine.
There is a relief of Saptamatrikas carved on the slopes of a boulder on the right side of the cave. Saptamatrikas are accompanied by Ganesha and Veerabhadra. Shrines of 63 Nayanmars, Maha Ganapathi, Rishaba Rudra and Kasi Lingam can be seen in the circumbulatory path around the sanctum. There is a path to the north of Nandi to reach the shrines in upper level.
An inscription belonging to Rajaraja Chola III (1226 CE) can be seen immediately on the left side. Shrines of Kuzhandhai Velavan, Durga, Lakshmi, Bhairava, Surya, Saraswathi, Annapoorani, Rudrashalingam, Brahma, Jwarahareswarar, Nalvars, Chandra and Dhandayudhapani can be seen on this upper level. A Sunai called Kapila / Ganga Theertham can be reached after climbing a flight of steps from this level.
Panoramic view of the surrounding rocks, Mangala Kulam, Rajagopuram, Vimanas of the shrines and Magizha tree can be seen from the Sunai. The temple has about 30 inscriptions. Most of the inscriptions were dated to Cholas. Few of them are Grantha inscriptions dated to 7th century CE. All these inscriptions talk about gifts, grants and donations made to this temple. There is no shrine for Navagrahas in this temple. There were five cars associated with the temple, four still surviving.
