This temple is more famously known for its mammoth Nataraja probably the biggest in this part of the world which is so exquisite and ancient it is also known as Nataraja temple.
How to reach:
The temple is on the highway connecting Kumbakonam and Karaikal about 20 kms from Kumbakonam there is a right turn which leads to the temple in about 2 kms of rickety pot holed road
Legends and stories:
The temple was built by Sembiyan mahadevi the queen of Kandar Aditya Chola aunt of Raja raja Chola.and mother of Uttama chola who was emperor before Raja raja chola.
King Varaguna pandian ordered for the Shilpi here to sculpt a Nataraja but it was not complete hence a deadline was issued with death as a penalty if it was not completed. Answering the prayers of the distraught sculptor Siva and Parvathi came here and consumed the pancha loha metal and stood as idols here. Each and every small mole, skin tag and vein on the Nataraja is so naturally done
There is a Vaidhyanathan koil behind who is very famous in curing any ill health including Leprosy. Dull students consume the theertham of the pond as Gnana Kuzhambu for success.
The vimana above the sanctum sanctorum is of Ashta Dwarapala design.as the ashta dikpalakas worshipped here
Yama worshipped the Durga here to dispel fear after he was scared after being kicked by Lord Shiva at Thirukadaiyur.
Nala and Damayanthi worshipped here and found the effect of Shani was waning after their visit here, hence Shani is seen in a separate eastern sannidhi with white clothes
The entrance
At this point on either side we have sannidhis for Vinayaka and Murugan
There are ancient paintings with one showing British offering pooja at the entrance of the main praharam
This praharam houses the Exquisite Natarajar and Sivagami sculptures
The entrance to the huge Shiva sannidhi is in the middle. the Shiva Lingam is majestic
with a huge avudiar
The Kosta vigrahas are all ancient and exquisitely carved from stone. There were also nice carvings showing the Gaja Samhara murthy,bhikshandar, brahma
The Vaidyanathan sannidhi is separate
The Ambal sannidhi (Angavala nayaki or Dehasundari) is on the left and the idol is enchanting and about 3 feet tal
l
The Main praharam also has a separate shaneshwara adorned in white
The Multiple Ganapathys
The rare Chandikeshwara with his consort sundara Kusambikai
I revisited the temple in Dec 2018 after the Arudra darisanam here are the pics
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