Kannayiram Udayar Temple,
Kurumanakkudi – 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 with his consorts Valli & Devasena. The temple has two prakarams. There is a pillared mandapam connecting the entrance arch with the entrance of the inner prakaram. Dhwaja Sthambam, Kodimara Vinayagar, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the entrance of the inner prakaram in mukha mandapam.
The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Shrines of Kudavarai Vinayagar and Bala Dhandayuthapani can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum on either side. Presiding Deity is called as Kannayiram Udayar / Kannayiranathar / Sahasranethreswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). The Lingam has eye marks in the form of holes all over the body.
Nardana Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhava, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. This temple has been designed in such a way that the vimana and the presiding deity can be viewed simultaneously from a vantage point. Idols of Chandrasekarar and Nataraja can be seen in the maha mandapam. Utsava idols of Pradosha Nayagar, Asthra Deva, Chandikeswarar, Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Somaskanda and Vinayaga can be seen in the maha mandapam.
Mother is called as Murugu Valar Kothai Nayaki / Kodaiyammai / Suguntha Kunthalambigai. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in maha mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. The roof in front of her shrine has carvings of 12 zodiac signs. Those facing problems in their horoscopes will stand under their respective zodiac sign and pray to the goddess Parvathy for relief. Palliyarai can be seen next to her shrine.
Shrines of Siddhi Vinayagar, Kanni Vinayagar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Naalvar, Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar, Saneeswarar, Suryan and Chandran can be seen in the inner prakaram. Theertham associated with this temple is Indra Theertham. It is situated in the front of the temple. Shrines of Vinayagar and Murugan can be seen on the banks of the Indra Theertham. Sthala Vriksham is Sarakondrai.
