Thirumayanam Brahmapureeswarar
Temple, Thirukkadaiyur – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards west with an entrance arch. There is a second level rajagopuram at the entrance of the inner prakaram. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen in front of the rajagopuram, facing towards the sanctum. The Temple consists of sanctum, antrala, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Nataraja Sabha can be seen in the maha mandapam. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum is guarded by dvarapalas on either side.
Presiding Deity is called as Brahmapureeswarar / Periya Perumanadigal / Thirumayanamudaya Peruman and is facing west. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam on a square avudaiyar. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy (self-manifested). Vishnu Durga, Brahma, Gangadhara, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Vinayagar, Bikshadana, Lingothbhavar, Bheeshana Bhairavar, Arthanareeswarar and Kalyana Sundarar are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls.
Lord Dakshinamurthy is seen here with his six disciples and there is no Kallala tree above his head. A relief depicting Kulothunga Chola III worshipping Shiva Linga can be seen near the koshta idol of Dakshinamoorthy. Chandikeswarar Shrine can be seen in his usual location. This shrine enshrines an image Chandikeswarar with his wife. Shrines & idols of Bhairavar, Murugan, Kasi Viswanathar, Nalvar, Gajalakshmi, Suryan and Vinayagar can be seen in the inner prakaram around the sanctum.
Mother is called as Malarkuzhal Minnammai / Amala Gujambigai / Vaadamulai Ammai / Amalakkuya Minnammai. She is housed in a separate shrine in the outer prakaram. Her shrine looks like a separate temple. Her shrine is situated on the south western corner of the outer prakaram opposite to the sanctum. Her shrine is facing towards east with three tiered rajagopuram. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen in front of the rajagopuram, facing towards her shrine.
Her shrine consists of sanctum, antrala and maha mandapam. The maha mandapam is designed to look like the forehead of a bat (Vovval Nethi Mandapam). Dwarapalakis can be seen guarding her sanctum. She is four armed showing varada & abhaya hastha and in standing posture. There is a shrine for Lord Singaravelar (Murugan) in this temple. This shrine is facing towards south and situated to the north of the sanctum. He holds a bow, arrow and spear in his hands.
He wears a rudraksha garland around his neck and also wears footwear as if he was on the way to battle. He is gracing the devotees along with his consorts Valli & Devasena. The idol is slightly slanting on the left reminding Lord Rama. It is unique to see a shrine for Chandikeswarar for this Murugan shrine similar to the sanctum. He is called as Guha Chandikeswarar. There is an east facing shrine for Lord Vishnu in the temple premises. He is praised as Pillai Perumal. His shrine is situated on the western prakaram on the southern side. He is in standing posture gracing the devotees.
Generally, Lord Vinayaka appears with his pot belly in most of the temples but here he is shown with a shrunk belly touching the back in this temple. He is worshipped as Pranava Vinayaka. Theerthams associated with this temple are Brahma Theertham / Ashwini Theertham and Kasi Theertham. Brahma Theertham is situated outside the temple premises on the southern side. The water from this theertham is used for the ablutions of Amirtha Kadeswarar of Thirukadaiyur Temple. Sthala Vrikshams are Sara Kondrai and Vilvam Tree.
