Pandaravadai Kailasanathar Temple, Vazhuvur – The
Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Lord Shiva with his consort Parvathi flanked by his sons Vinayaga and Murugan. Kodimara Vinayagar, Balipeedam and Nandi can be found immediately after the entrance arch on the ground level. It is believed that King Kochengat Chola built around 70 Maadakovils. This Temple is considered one among them.
The unique feature about these temples are that it is not easily approachable by an elephant. He built these temples at an elevation and there are few steps need to be climbed before seeing Lord in the sanctum. Also, the entrance to the sanctum would be so narrow that elephants cannot enter it. The Mada Kovil is situated at about 10 feet high from the ground level.
The Mada Kovil consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. Presiding Deity is called as Kailasanathar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Vinayaga, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location in the ground level.
Mother is called as Soundarya Nayaki. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in the ground level on the right side immediately after the entrance arch. She is four armed and in standing posture. There is an east facing shrine for Lord Srinivasa Perumal in the prakaram. This shrine enshrines an image of Lord Srinivasa Perumal with his consorts Sridevi & Bhoodevi. Balipeedam and Garuda can be seen facing towards the shrine.
Shrines of Gnanandagiri Swamigal, Kannimoola Ganapathy, Subramanya with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Sahasra Lingam, Mahalakshmi, Saneeswarar, Kala Bhairavar, Vishnu Durga, Suryan, Chandran, Nagas and Navagrahas with their respective consorts can be seen in the temple premises. Theertham associated with this temple is Kiruthabahara Theertham / Anandha Theertham. It is situated in front of the temple. Sthala Vriksham is Vellerukku plant.
