Nanjundeswarar Temple, Karamadai – The Temple
This Temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. Deepa Sthambam can be seen in front of the temple facing the Sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Mukha Mandapam. Nandi and Balipeedam can be seen in the Mukha Mandapam, facing the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Nanjundeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. The Lingam is made of granite and appears red in colour. The top of the Lingam is flat unlike the curved surfaces in other temples.
The Linga is carved in red stone instead of the black granite used in other temples. Besides the usual Avudayar holding the Shivalinga, there is also a carving of another Avudayar on the floor. This is a rare formation nowhere to be seen. The sanctum is designed in a unique way with eight elephants supporting the Vimana over the sanctum similar to the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Hence, the Vimana is called as Ashta Gaja Vimana. These elephant sculptures are about 6 feet tall.
The outer walls of the sanctum houses the sculptures of Nardana Vinayaga, Subramanya, Veerabhadra, Rishbhantika, Palani Andavar, Mahishasura Mardhini, Anjaneya, Nataraja, Lakshmi Narayana, Pradosha Moorthy, Kali in dancing posture, Lord Shiva as hunter, Parvathy as dancer, Macha Vallabha emerging out of fish, soldier armed with sword and a goat worshipping Lord Shiva. There are also sculptures of living beings like cow, goat, elephant, swan, fish, snake, Yali horse, pig, tiger and bull.
Lord Dakshinamurthy appears without disciples. Abishekam is performed here at Guru Hora on Thursdays between 6.00 a.m. to 7.00 a.m. There is a sculpture showing planets Rahu and Ketu. Those afflicted by the adverse aspects of these planets worship here and the Linga nearby. The metal image of Chandrasekara is unique that the full image of Ganga is sculpted unlike the other temples where Shiva is sported with crescent alone. Mother is called as Ulagambikai / Ulaganayagi / Loka Nayagi. She is housed in separate east facing shrine.
Her Shrine is situated to the northern side of the sanctum. Her idol, Thiruvachi (the frame outside the idol) and the lotus flower in her hands are made out of a single stone. There is a shrine for Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena in the temple premises. This Shrine is situated in between the Sanctum and Mother Shrine thus making the Somaskanda form. Lord Murugan is depicted with 12 hands.
All the three Shrines (Sanctum, Murugan Shrine and Mother shrine) are situated in a row facing the east direction. There are two Vinayakas in this temple. Sthala Vinayaga is praised as Shenbaga Vinayaka. Lord Padala Vinayaka is in the prakara wall of Lord Shiva shrine. Worship of other deities is followed only after worshipping Padala Vinayaka according to tradition.
There is no shrine for Navagrahas (the nine planets) in the temple premises. There are shrines for Kalabhairava and Suryan in the temple premises. Lord Ranganatha is in a separate temple on the left side. The sacred spring for both temples is common behind the temples. The priests of both temples take the water from here for pujas during the Margazhi (December-January) morning pujas. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwa tree.
