KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE PART 2 - SHIVA - THE SUNDARA - TARAMANGALAM

SRI KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE - TARAMANGALAM - SALEM DISTRICT - TAMILNADU - PART 2.

MADANIKA at the entrance 

In the Kailasanathar Temple,there are 3 precincts in this temple, the open outer precinct and the inner precinct in the form of the Mukhamandapam, leading to the Garbhagriha.At the left of the entrance to the Mukhamandapam a Mummudi or 3 Vinayaka statues are at the left side of entrance.

In to the Mukhamandapam you come to a treasure of Art Gallore. Lord Shiva as Kailasanatha, Sits in the form of a Small Lingam Facing West with the Avudayar or Pindika to the right of the lord in the Garbha Griha post an Ardhamandapam. Opposite facing the Lord, a little towards his right Side is his consort Goddess Parvathi standing in the form of Sivagami Devi. Towards the left opposite of the lord, is the sanctum of Karthikeya with Six faces. All these three sanctums including that of the lord is in a Trikona (Triangle) shape.

On circumambulation, the outer walls of the Sanctum is lined with the Statues of Durga, Brahma, Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothbhavar & Nadana (Dancing) Vinayaka in the Koshtha. To the left of the Sanctum of Sivagami is a small crevice with stairs leading to the basement , where sits in peace lord Shiva as Patala Lingam.

The inner precinct is lined up with sculptures, each depicting its own story.

1. On the ceiling , outside the Ardhamandapam is the beautiful sculptures of the Ashthadigapala.the lords of the cardinal direction with their mounts(Vahana), with the Center piece of an inverted open lotus with Parrots pecking on them upside-down with the insignia of the Gatti Mudali Clan. It also has a ring carved in stone which moves free of its holding without falling down.

Insignia of the Getty Mudali clan. 

2. The ceiling is lined up with Chains made out of stone and looks exactly like metal. The chains were supposed to be unified with the inverted lotus, but seems to have broken.

3. Lined up on the pillars supporting the ceiling are Yazhi’s (Mythical creatures) with the face of Simha Lion and Gaja elephants body . The hollow mouths of the lions carry balls of 4 inch diameter made up of stone, which rolls freely, but do not fall of the mouth.

4. Below these pillars, on two pillars in linear position, one has the carving of Lord Ram with a drawn up Bow and arrow to kill the Vaanara King Vali, and the other with Sugreeva fighting Vaali. From the pillar of Ram, Sugreeva and Vaali are visible fighting each other. However from fight scene, Lord Rama is not visible.

5. On the rounds in the Inner Praharam, clockwise 1st comes two carvings of a Rishi Patni ( Sages wife), who has some food in a ladle. Lord Shiva comes as a Parrot and sits on her shoulder wanting to eat the food. The second carving shows her trying to prevent the Parrot from eating the food and also trying to prevent her cloths from slipping down. The detailing on the statue is intricate up to her nails, which are visible. The expressive face of peace, happiness, anxiety and rage beautifully etched in stone.

6. The statue of Parvathi.

7. Lord Shiva as Bhikshatana or Bhikshandavar.

BHIKSHATANA

8. Mohini Avataar of Lord Vishnu.

9. The statue of Rishi Patanjali and VyaghraPada.

10. Then comes the beautiful statue of Lord Vishnu as Hayagreeva.

11. Next is the statue of an 18 armed Lord Nataraja, Picking up his fallen earring and put it back in his ear. The sculpture details show the nerves & veins in the hands and legs of the Lord, giving a thought for the understanding of the human anatomy in the 13th century CE.

12. The next two sculptures depict Lord Shiva as Urdhva Thandavar, with Ganga falling from his Jata and flowing into the mouth of a Rishabha. Carvings of fishes and aquatic animals are depicted in the flow of the Ganges over the lords body. The presence of Ganga makes Parvathi Angry and the lord tries to pacify her by way of holding her chin & the second sculpture showing the Lord and Goddess in a peaceful & serene mood.

13. Then comes the statues of Aghora Veerabhadra & Agni Veerabhadra.

AGHORA VEERABHADRA

14. The lord as Pradosha Nayaka.

VRISHABHANTIKA OR PRADOSHA MURTHY

15. Dakshinamurthy.

DAKSHINAMURTHY

16. Goddess Kali.

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17. Two statues of Bramha with four and five heads.

18. Kanchi Kamakshi, lying down as the Avudayar or Pindika to protect the Shiva Lingam from getting washed away by floods.

Kamakshi saving the Lingam

19. The Statue of Manmatha looking at Rathi,and the statue of Rathi trying to find Manmatha. The statue of Rathi is visible from the position of Manmatha. However from the position of Rathi, Manmatha is not
visible.

RATHIDEVI ON THE SWAN AND MANMATHA ON THE PARROT
20. The statues of the four Tamil Shiva bhaktas and Saint Appar,Sundarar,Manikkavasagar & Gnyanasambandar.

21. In the Praharam is also the Sanctum of Lord Shiva as Jarahareshwara, the lord protects his devotees from Jwar or Fever.

22. The temple is also unique, because it carries the images of a lot of animals like, monkeys, crocodile, elephant, horse, camel, variety of birds. Some sculptures look like DYNASAUR’s and extinct birds.

For further details contact Gurukkal Gnyanaskandan 9894662410