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To
the left of Nandi there is a mandapam of modest size housing the
Navagrahas. In front of the Nandi towards the entrance are situated
the shrines for Ganapathi and Subrahmanya. Paying homage to them,
they enter the Ramanathaswamy shrine to avail the darsan of the
august linga installed by Sri Rama. As it is installed by Rama it is
called Ramanathaswamy and it is one of the twelve Jyothirlingas. The
serenity prevailing there bends the heads involuntarily. A sight of
the Lord destroys a sin as grave a Brahmahatya. Offering soulful
prayers, they next move to the Parvathavardhini shrine located to
the right of sanctum sanctorum. The beautiful image of the Mother
decorated with diamond jewellery and flower garlands lifts the soul.
In front of the mandapam there are figures of Rama, Sita, Lakshman,
Hanuman and Sugriva, the principal characters in the Epic and they
beckon attention and veneration. To its north lies the Kasi
Viswanatha shrine in which the linga brought by Hanuman from Kailas
is installed. The Visalakshi Mandir lies adjacent to it. Daily
prayers are offered to these deities first and then to
Ramanathaswamy and Mother Parvathi Varidhini.
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