The
Temple Complex
The temple situated on the eastern coast of the island is a marvel
of Dravidian art. The sanctum covers an area of 15 acres and the
plinth occupies about 865 feet from east to west and 657 feet from
north to south, and is surrounded by high walls on all four sides
with tall imposing gopurams on three sides -- east, west and south
and the one on the north is yet to be finished. It has three
prakaras containing the most beautiful spell -- binding corridors,
the like of which the world has yet to produce and likely may not,
due to theism given a decent farewell by rationalism. There are
several mandapams housing many minishrines with spacious halls in
front for celebrating occasional pujas and are adorned with rare
sculptures to attract both theists and connoisseurs alike.
As
the visitors enter through the eastern gate after bath in
agnithirtham -- part of Mahodati, they are greeted by Anjaneya
enshrined in a beautiful minishrine. The statue painted
in red is in the North Indian type in sculpture. As they move
further, they are bewildered at the rows of gigantic statues of
Sethupathis -- mounted on high pedestals forming the lower part of
massive pillars of the mandapam. Next object that arrests their
attention is the huge image of Nandi, measuring 12 feet in length, 9
feet in height, flanked by the beautiful figures of Viswanatha
Naicker and Krishnama Naicker, the builders.
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