Panchavateeswarar Temple, Anandha Thandava Puram – The
Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with three tiered rajagopuram. The temple covers an area of about two acres. Dhwaja Sthambam can be found immediately after the rajagopuram. Kodimara Vinayagar can be seen at the base of the Dhwaja Sthambam. Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen in the mukha mandapam immediately after the Dhwaja Sthambam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, maha mandapam and open mukha mandapam.
Dvarapalakas made of stucco can be seen on either side of the entrance of the maha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Panchavateeswarar / Kalyana Sundareswarar / Anandha Thandaveswarar / Parijathavaneswarar and is facing east. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Dakshinamurthy and Jayadurga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. The image of Jaya Durga might be a later addition. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location.
There are two shrines for goddess Parvathy namely Kalyana Sundari and Brihannayagi in this temple. Periya Nayagi / Brihannayagi shrine is situated in the mukha mandapam. Her shrine is facing towards south. Kalyana Sundari shrine is situated in the outer prakaram. Her shrine is facing towards east. Shrines of Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Punniya Vardhini, Manakanchara Nayanar, Sage Anandha and Sage Bharadhwaja can be seen in the mukha mandapam.
Nataraja Sabha can be seen next to the Periya Nayagi shrine in the mukha mandapam. The Nataraja Sabha is facing towards south. The Nataraja Sabha enshrines an image of Nataraja with his consort Shivagama Sundari. He is depicted in dancing posture with his raised left foot, in line with his face and the right foot. Hence, he is praised as Mukha Mandala Ananda Thandava Nataraja.
There is a bronze utsava image of Jatanathar in maha mandapam. He is facing towards south. He is seen holding a bunch of hair in his hands. Utsava idols of Manakanchara Nayanar, Punniya Vardhini, Eyarkon Kalikkama Nayanar and Somaskandar can be seen next to Jatanathar in maha mandapam.
Shrines and Idols of Swayambhu Vinayagar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Maha Lakshmi, Mahalingam, Mahaganapathy, Navagrahas, Saneeswarar, Angarakan, Chandran, Suryan, Hanuman and Garuda can be seen in the outer prakaram. The outer prakaram also has three idols of Bhairava. Theertham associated with this temple is Sivaganga Theertham / Amrita Bindu Theertham / Amirtha Bindu Saras. It is a large tank situated in front of the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Parijatham.
