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Monday, November 1, 2021

Nandeeswarar Temple, Nandivaram – The Temple

Nandeeswarar Temple, Nandivaram – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch on the southern side and has two prakarams. There is an entrance available at the eastern side also. Balipeedam and Nandi can be seen in the outer prakaram, facing towards the sanctum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, ardha mandapam and maha mandapam. Vinayaga and Murugan can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum on either side.


There is a south facing Nataraja sabha in the maha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Nandeeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam on square avudaiyar. Narthana Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location. Mother is called as Soundara Nayaki / Azhagudai Nayagi / Azhakoleer Nayagi.


She is housed in a separate south facing shrine in maha mandapam. She is about 4 feet tall and is in standing posture. Simha, her mount and Balipeedam can be seen facing towards her shrine. Shrines of Valampuri Vinayaga, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena, Arumugam, Gajalakshmi, Veeerabadhra, Bhairavar and  Suryan can be seen in the inner prakaram. Shrines of Lord Vishnu and Navagrahas can be seen in the outer prakaram.


The Vishnu idol might be probably displaced from the koshta during an earlier renovation. There are pillars with sculptures of Vishnu facing towards west and Anjaneya facing towards east in the temple. Theertham associated with this temple is Nandi Theertham. It is a large tank situated in front of the eastern entrance. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwam Tree. There is an old cannon ball tree (Nagalinga Maram) in the outer prakaram. A 9th century Nandi can be seen under the Nagalinga Maram.