Kachikonda Pandeeswarar Kulasekharapatnam

Kachikonda Pandeeswarar Kulasekharapatnam is an east-facing temple close to the seashore. There are 2 beautiful temple tanks in front one each for the main deity and goddess. There is a mandapam in front of the wall on the east side. The temple is entered from the south through a long mandapam. There are 4 stone pillars before entering which are called Ambari’s. This is followed by the Vahana Mandapam. There are 3 Prakarams here including the one outside the wall which is called Giri Prakaram. As you enter the inner Prakaram you can see the goddess in her south-facing shrine. This prakaram has a 52 pillared Thirumana Mandapam on the south side with a small elevated platform with 4 pillars. This is followed by the shrine of Kalyana Vinayakar. on the west side of the Prakaram is an open space of about 18 feet for the Nandavanam (flower garden) where Panneer trees are kept. We were informed that from these trees leaves to pack the Ash (Viboothi) Prasadam of Tiruchendur Murugan temple is sent each day. On the north side also there are trees. On this side is the idol of Maavadi Amman under the bole of a Mango Tree which is the Sthala Vriksham here that withered away some decades back. We were told the mango tree used to yield excellent Maavadu (tender baby raw mangoes) which used to be sold to people around for making pickles. There is a small well near the tree with a traditional system to draw water. In front of the main deity are the Balipeedam, Flagstaff, and Nandi. In the pillars on the eastern side of the Prakaram are the carvings of 4 Odhuvars (Saivite reciters and singers) who served the temple in the olden days – Kumaraswamy, Pandara Siva, Saravana, and Siva Chidambaram. They were the 9th generation of the reciters and the present ones belong to the 11th generation. The Navagrahas are with 11 idols instead of the usual 9. The additional idols are that of the consorts of Surya – Chaya Devi and Samnjana Devi. Before the next entrance to the next Prakaram is a small platform with steps from where you can see both the main deity and Goddess. A Maha Mandapam comes before the Sanctum Sanctorum of the main deity. The Ardha mandapam is entered with Anunjnai Vinayaka and Senthil Kumaran on either side of the doorway. The main deity is a tall Lingam. Padukkai Veedu, the house of a saint who lived here is present near the temple. A shrine for Karaikkal Ammaiyar who came to see her husband Paramadattan who had relocated here is present at the spot where their meeting happened. There is also a well at the spot which is called Chettikinar. This is on the northern side of the village on the road to Tiruchendur.