This is a relatively large temple and an awesome one too..! is at the base of the Thirukkazhukundram Hill..!
This is also a temple for Lord Sivan called Bhakthavatsaleswarar..
The temple has towers on all the four sides and each one is equal to the other in size and workmanship.
One of these Goupurams (above - by itself it's an awesome sight isn't it.? ) provide an awesome backdrop to the temple tank. See below.
The Mandapam at the entrance provides a majestic ambiance to the open space in front of the temple.
This temple is built by Mahendra Varma Pallavan in 7th Century BC (610-630). Pallva architecture is evident from the workmanship,especially in the Mandapam below that is on left side of the Outer Praharam and has an elevated Peetam (dias kind of stuff..) at the centre. Marvellous sculptures every where mark this structure unique...! I clicked a number of Photos here as there was no body to disturb me, excepting for a couple of people who were sleeping in that beautiful mandapam..!
I don't find any reference to this Mandapam in any other blog posts on Thirukkazhukundram, Surprising..! Considering how awesome this structure looks..! Look at other pictures of this in the full photo set below, you will agree with me..!
I always have a fascination for the details of Gopuram work. I used to wonder how it would look at the top of these towering gopurams. With today's Digicams (ofcourse you need super zooms), you can reach up to the roof of the Gopuram and take a peep - Just like this..!
The Vedhagiriswarar temple on top of the hill is visible from this base temple. A beautiful sight this.... the temple looks like a tree-top-house of Munar of Kerala..Isn't it ?! Don't miss the videos section, I have a video that zooms into the hill top temple from the base temple..!
There are a couple of Sannadhis in the outer praharam.One for Murugan, another for Tripura Sundari and One for Arunachaleswarar..! The a natural ambiance to these because of the trees is enjoyable.
I enjoyed walking past these and you would like them too.. take a stroll past these Sannadhis..!
The Murugan Sannadhi had these withered frescoes at the entrance..
and I found some good colorful frescoes in the roof of the Mandapam at the entrance as well...withered of course..!They were awesome..and you are likely to miss them, if you don't look for them..! This mandapam seems to be used for parking Vahana Vehicle as of now...!
Time to get into the temple. There were a few colorful objects inside as well...!
The 63 Nayanmars - cute and beautifully metal made..can be found in the praharam just outside the Garbhagraham..!
While returning, I just peeped into the Vahana Mandapam which is on the left side just before the first entrance of the temple..It had a couple of colorful Vahanams (used as seats for deities during procession )..!
Full Set of Photos
Videos
Time to bid you good bye.. Will meet you in a new place some time- if not soon..!
<<< Thirukkazhukundram Part 1 - Vedhagiriswarar Temple
Lovely temple . the mantap is just awesome......
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice post, and the pictures are just lovely! I like the details that you have captured...
ReplyDeleteThis is magnificent... The second pic looks great with the temple in the centre of those tall palm trees!!
ReplyDeleteAnd those carvings are also very delicate and majestic...
Have a nice day:-)
The craftsmanship that must have gone into the building of this beautiful building - I can't really comprehend it. Thanks for such an informative post, your photogrphs are wonderful and speak volumes. May I just ask one thing though? Are their stairs within the towers or are they purely decorative?
ReplyDeleteThanks all for stopping by and caring to comment.
ReplyDeletePetty Witter,
Huge towers called Gopurams have stairs. Smaller ones may not have.I have seen people entering each of these floors for lighting the lamps in some temples.
The following wikipedia link gives more details of Gopurams, if you are interested.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopuram
Sridharan, It was like rewinding my visit to the temple. Nice capture as usual . I could spend lot of time in this temple. There was hardly any crowd
ReplyDeleteExcellent images of the temple. The mandapam is truly amazinf.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chitra. Not much of crowd when I visited too and it suited me. I could take pictures without interruption and could enjoy the serenity well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rajesh..The mandapam was great, but quite neglected and un-attended to.. I now understand why our ancesstors used stones for all these great stuff...! It wil take a while for us to destroy them ..(lol)..!
ReplyDeleteThank you for both your reply and the link to this other site.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...Magnificent!! I have no words.....I am amazed at the beauty of these pictures...Atimber u r awesome.....Three cheers for you...I mean Hip Hip way!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Divya.. Our ancient architecture is amazing and hence we find the pictures amazing too.. The credit entirely should go to the subject rather than the blogger..!
ReplyDeleteWow.. such incredible images. The detail in the architecture is amazing. Magnificent!
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilary for stopping by..
ReplyDeleteAbove all temple pictures are very excellent this all ancient gifts
ReplyDeletethank you very much mr sridharan, because of your write up and pictures, i have speeded up my programme to visit the temple this week itself. thank you once again,shobha
ReplyDelete