Sathyagireeswarar Temple,
Senganur – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east facing with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar being worshipped by Chandikeswarar. Rishabaroodar is flanked by Vinayaga and Murugan with his consorts. 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 temple has two prakarams, one at the top around the sanctum (Maadakoil) and other at the ground level. Nandi and Balipeedam can be found facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam and are in the hill top.
Presiding deity is called as Sathyagireeswarar / Sathyagirinathar / Shaktigireeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). Vinayaga, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. He appears majestically as Lord Shiva himself with crescent moon, long hair, Kundalams (ear rings) and the holy Ganga on the head.
Mother is called as Sakidevi. She is housed in a separate south facing shrine. Her shrine is situated in Maha Mandapam to the left side of the sanctum. Shrines of Nataraja and Naalvars can be seen in the Ardha Mandapam. There is a shrine for Bhairava in the Maha Mandapam. If the idol of Bhairavar is tapped, it produces a bronze metal sound. Shrines of Chandran and Surya can be seen in the Maha Mandapam.
Shrines of Maha Ganapathy, Kasi Vinayagar, Gaja Lakshmi, Kasi Viswanathar, Kasi Visalakshi and Subramanya can be seen in the inner prakaram around the sanctum. There is a separate south facing shrine for Lord Murugan at the entrance of the Mada Kovil in ground level. Saint Arunagirinathar had sung hymns in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh.
There is also a separate shrine for Shaktigireeswarar (under the tree) in the outer prakaram. Theerthams associated with this temple are Manniyaru, Sathya Pushkarini, Kumara Theertham and Malaiyappan Kulam (Appan Kulam). Sathya Pushkarini is situated to the west of the temple. It is believed to be created by Lord Shiva.
Kumara Theertham is situated to the north of the temple. Malaiyappan Kulam is situated behind the Vishnu temple. It is believed that Harichandra created this Theertham. Manniyaru is situated at about 1.5 Kms to the north of the temple. Manniyaru River is also called as Subramanya Nadhi and Sathiya Nadhi. Sthala Vriksham is Athi Tree.
