Ramanatha
Swamy Temple, Thirunaraiyur – The Temple
The Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum immediately after the entrance. Presiding Deity is called as Ramanathaswamy and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The rays of the Sun and the Moon fall directly on the Shiva Lingam in the month of April.
Brahma, Durga, Medha Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava and Nardana Ganapathy are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. There is a shrine of Dasaratha in worshipping posture can be seen in the temple premises. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Parvathavarthini. She is housed in a separate shrine facing south.
There is a shrine for Lord Saneeswarar called Mangala Saneeswarar, can be seen in the temple premises. He is present with his two wives Mandha Devi and Jyeshta Devi and two sons, Maanthi and Kuligan. This is the only place where Lord Saneeswarar is present with his whole family. Though it is a sub shrine, this shrine has separate Dhwaja Sthambam, Balipeedam and the crow mount in front of it.
This Temple is popularly called as Mangala Saneeswarar Temple after this shrine. There is a separate shrine for Navagrahas with the Sun at the centre with his two Consorts, Usha Devi and Prathyusha Devi. The other planets are found around the sun.
There are shrines for Gajalakshmi, Hanumantha Lingam, Anantha Ganapathy, Mahalakshmi, Subramaniya with his consorts, Valli & Devasena, Gajalakshmi, Hanumantha Lingam, Nagas, Bhairava and Surya in the temple premises. Sthala Vriksham is Erukku Plant. Theertham associated with this Temple is called as Rama Theertham.
