The
shrine of Hanuman in the posture of
pulling out the Shivalinga made of sand is
worshipped and it is at the eastern entrance of the temple Nandi, Siva's Vahanams,
is quite impressive as a figure. It is as big as 12’ x 8’ x 9’. The ocean
in front (the east) is called Ratnakara and on the west is called Mahodadhi. The
architectural beauty of Dravidian art is seen at every corner of the temple. The corridors
are nearly 4000 feet in length with 17 to 21 feet breadth and 30 feet height. There are 3
prakarams and 4 gopurams of which only one in the west is complete with a height of 78
feet and is very much older than the eastern one.
The eastern tower is 126 feet in height and was
finished only 50 years ago. Both of them are elaborately covered with mythological
figures. The workmanship
is massive and regular and the architecture
resembles the Egyptian style. This gives an indication of the maritime trade of India at
that time. |
