TIRUCHENDUR

THE MIRACLE OF WELL IN A WELL

After battling with waves and enjoying sea bath, they move towards a sacred mini-step-well lying at about 200 yards off the temple.  As the story goes this came into existence due to Lord's boundless mercy for devotees.  It has another small well containing sweet water in contrast to the bigger one with sumptuous water.  A bath confers merits, and it is indeed amazing that it never dries up, though hundreds of visitors take bath everyday.  Since it has curative effect, there is heavy rush round the clock.  After bath they enter the temple facing the South through the huge Shanmuga Vilasa Mandapam beautified with 124 pillars.  Next comes the Srivalli Mandapam and to the west of it lies the Dakshinamurthi shrine.

It is here in this spacious Mandapam, the annual Tirukalyanam of Valli is celebrated on Panguni uthiram.  The idol Lord Subrahmanya sitting astride his mount, peacock lying next greets them. Next comes the Arunagirinathar shrine.  A unique honour to the composer of Tiruppugal.  On the outer side of this portal there is installed a huge image of Lord Ganesh, called here Mukkuruni Pillaiyar.

Sri Venkatesa temple cut out of a rock is situated on the northern portal.  In the adjacent temple are installed Sridevi, Bhudevi, Neeladevi, pallikonda Ranganatha, Gajalakshmi and the reputed Alwars, testifying to the catholicity of the builders.  And they represent that Hari and Hara are ONE only.  A tall copper plated Dwajasthambam lying at the centre of eastern portal greets them.  This second prakara contains all the images of Nayanmars along with Saint Manickavachagar and the Thogai Adiyars.  Opposite this long row lie the life size figures of Mounaswamy, Kasiswamy and Desikamurthi Swamy, who authored the temple Tiruppani.  There are separate shrines for Bhairava, Saneeswara and Nataraja in this northern portal.

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