Swayambhu Nathar Temple,
Thiruvilayattam – The Temple
This temple is facing towards east with an entrance arch. The entrance arch has stucco images of Rishabaroodar flanked by Vinayaga and Murugan with his consorts Valli & Devasena. The temple covers an area of about three acres. Balipeedam and Nandi can be found in front of the entrance arch facing towards the sanctum. Bala Vinayagar shrine can be seen immediately after the entrance arch at the base of the Mada Kovil.
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 Mada Kovil can be accessed through flight of 12 steps. Somaskandar shrine can be seen immediately after the reaching the Mada Kovil. Vinayagar shrine can be seen at the entrance of the maha mandapam. Presiding deity is called as Swayambu Nathar / Thaan Thondreeswarar and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.
Lord is a Swayambhu Moorthy (self-manifested). It is said that the sun rays fall on the lingam during morning time. Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Durga are the koshta idols located around the sanctum walls. There is a small circumbulatory path around the sanctum. The vimana, structure over the sanctum is in the form of Gajabrusta, the shape of the back of an elephant in its sitting posture.
Stucco images of Dakshinamoorthy on the southern side, Ananda Sayana Vishnu on the western side and Gaja Samhara Moorthy on the northern side can be seen on the vimana. Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava and Brahma are the koshta idols located around the external walls of the Mada Kovil at the ground level. Chandikeswarar shrine can be seen in his usual location in ground level.
Inscriptions can be seen near the idol of Dakshinamoorthy. Mother is called as Mullaivana Nayaki. She is housed in a separate east facing shrine in the Mada Kovil. Her shrine is situated to the left side of the sanctum. Her shrine consists of sanctum and ardha mandapam, Kolu Mandapam can be seen next to her shrine. There are shrines for Kanni Moola Vinayaga, Murugan, Maha Lakshmi and Jyestha Devi can be seen in the ground level prakaram. There is a huge temple tank situated opposite to the temple.
