MADURAI

Leaving this sculptural Museum behind, the visitors enter the spiritual world to feast their eyes with the sublime sight of the Omni Compassionate Lord siva.  The outer prakaram is studded with scores of adorable divinities - each is a piece of art and enhances the sanctity of the place Among them, the huge statues of Saraswathi, Durgai, Siddhar, Lakshmi, Kasiviswanathar, Lingodbhava Murthi, Nayanmars are deservedly famous and paying homage to each is to be considered a MUST It also preserves the holy Kadamba tree in addition to having a big yagasala, Kanakasabha and Arukal Peedam, where the Thiruvilayadal Puranam was inagurated. 

Offering obeisance to each Murthi, they enter Valliamballam, where they greet first Lord Nataraja in the dancing pose to the right side.  It is said that Lord Nataraja danced with the right leg at the request of King Rajasekhara fandya in contravention to the usual practice of the left leg.  This representation stands an eloquent testimony of Lord's All- benevolence - Bahktavasankar is 6haktavasankar. Always! And out beaten too!! They enter next the garbha griha of Lord Sundareswar giving darsan in the form of Linga.  This holy abode of his is consecreted and supported by 64 bhootaganas, 32 lions and 8 elephants.  This august phallus is called by several names such as Chokkanathar, Karpurachokkar, Sundareswar, Siva, Maheswara and adored with great fervour. 

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