Famous Temples in India

Architecture

The present structure with spacious corridors and imposing gopurams occupies an area of about 5 acres (20,000 m2) and it houses two gateway towers known as gopurams, each facing the Edaganathar and Elavarkuzhali shrine. The temple is east facing with a colourful arch and the temple has many shrines, with those of Edaganathar and his consort being the most prominent. The original complex is believed to have been built by Pandyan Empire, while the present masonry structure was built during the Nayak during the 16th century. Edaganathar temple has a Dwaja sthamba at the entrance and a Nandi atop a platform. Behind sanctum sanctorum on the right side there is shrine for Shanmugam and just outside his shrine, idols of Saptha Mathrikas, Irattai Ganapathi, Durgai, and Lakshmi can be seen. There is a separate shrine for Nataraja and Sivakami on the North - East corner. An idol of Bairavar and Navagrahas are also outside this shrine. There is an inter connecting door between the Amman and Sivan temple. There is beautiful carving on each pillar inside the temple. There are 3 idols of Sakthi around this sanctum sanctorum known as Icha Sakthi, Gnana Sakthi and Kriya Sakthi. The Sthala Vriksham is Vilvam (Aegle marmelos), Theerthams associated with this Temple are Brahma Theertham and River Vaigai. Brahma Theertham is presently dry and as there is no water in the tank now, the deity is simply taken in procession within the tank. Vaigai River is the other holy water source. As the Holy Ganga, Vaigai too flows northward from the south. The place is also situated on the northern bank of Vaigai.

Inscriptions : There are 14 inscriptions recorded Under Annual Report of South Indian Epigraphy 1905 from 677 to 689. These inscriptions belongs to Maravarman’s son Sundara Pandyan, Sadayavarman also called as Parakrama Pandyan, Jadavarman also called as Vikrama Pandyan, Jadavarman Sri Vallaba devan and Krishna Devarayar (1448). Sri Vallabadevan’s inscription this place belongs to Pakanoor Kootram. As per the inscriptions this place was called as Pakanur Kottathu Thiruvedagam and Lord Shiva is called as Thiruvedakamudaya Nayanar The inscriptions records that Maravarman Sundara Pandyan conquered Chozha country and Coronation was held at Mudikonda Chozhapuram. Also he assumed the titles of Chozha nadu vazhangiya Sundara Pandyan and Konerimaikondan. Sundara Pandyan period inscription records the endowment of feeding 20 thabasis of Thirugnanasambandar Thirumadam for which a land was gifted. Krishna Devarayar period inscription records that a land was donated to this temple by Pachchai Peruml Pachchai Kandiya devar.