Kailasanadar Brahmadesam

Kailasanadar Brahmadesam is a very large temple with a temple tank outside the 7 tiered east-facing Rajagopuram. The walls are huge and very high. This compound also provided safety during wars with the massive gates of the gopuram having spikes to prevent elephants from pushing them down. Shrines for Ganesha and Muruga are outside on either side of the Rajagopuram. As you enter the gates the shrine of Naalvar is on the south side. After this are Sidhdhi Vinayaka and Muruga with consorts on either side of the doorway to the next Prakaram. In front of the doorway is the largest and beautifully carved Nandi in these parts. Above the flagstaff is hanging from the ceiling a chain and bells carved out of a single stone. The ceiling itself is a work of art with beams looking like wood, but are made of stone, supporting the layer on top. On either side of the door leading to the inner Prakaram of the main deity are 2 finely carved Dwarapalakas. Above this doorway is a smaller 5 tiered Gopuram. The deities mentioned above are all around the inner Prakaram. The Mahamantapam inside has the processional deities of Nataraja, Shiva, and his consort. The Nataraja idol appears to be inside the frame-shaped as OM in Tamil. Near Nataraja are Goddess Sivakami, Karaikal Ammaiyar, and Sage Pathanjali. On either side of the doorway leading from the Mahamantapam to the Ardha Mantapam are two large beautifully carved Dwarapalakas. The Lord in the Sanctum Sanctorum is a large Lingam. The vimaanam of the Sanctum Sanctorum is very large and about half the height of the west Gopuram featuring many depictions of Shiva and others. As you come out of the main deities sanctum and proceed to the goddess sanctum in the north there is a Yali on the left with a stone ball inside its mouth. The ball can be rolled but cannot come out. The passage connecting the sanctums of the god and goddess is called the Somavara Mantapam. The pillars of this Mantapam have many carvings from epics. On the south side of this Mantapa is the ancient Lingam of Padharivaneswarar or Ilandhai Adiyar next to the Sthala Vriksham (Holy Tree). Behind this Lingam is the shrine of Lord Sundareswarar and his consort Meenakshi with a large Mantapam in front. At the south end of the Somavara Mantapam is the Pitchadanar Sabhai with an over 6 feet tall Pitchadanar carved out of a single stone. Surrounding him are Varuna, Ganesha, Kubera, Suryan, Brahman, Kinnarar, Kimpurushar, Brahma, Mahavishnu, Chandran, Agastya, Indran, Apsaras, Murugan. The main gods here are with their respective Vahanas. On the floor are Boothaganangal with their musical instruments – Saalarai, Mridangam, Conch, Flute, and Chamaram. This is a unique and important feature in Kailasanadar Brahmadesam. Outside this Sabhai is Bhairava. Crossing the Somavara Mantapam on the elft we enter the sanctum of the Goddess. The deities mentioned above in the other deities section are present around the Prakaram. Outside the Goddess, shrine is a Nandi and Flagstaff. Opposite the goddess shrine in the east is the large Thiruvadirai or Arudra Mantapam. The 20 massive Yali pillars, ceiling, and the two elephant heads on either side of the steps leading up are excellent examples of temple carvings, particular mention is to be made about the monkeys and the dancing figures. The carving of Rama, Vali, and Sugreeva where you can see the back of Vaali and front of Sugreeva from Rama’s viewpoint and Rama not being visible from Vaali’s viewpoint give an idea about the planning of the sculptors of those days. On the east side of the outer Prakaram is a separate shrine for Viswanathar and Visalakshi. On the west side is the shrine of Annamalaiyar with his consort Unnamalai Amman. Both the god and goddess have separate kitchens (Madapalli) and wells. There are no Navagrahas here as the Shiva Lingams along with Chandran and Suryan are already present. Another aspect is that Kailasanadar Brahmadesam was considered the ancient First Temple of the Nava Kailash temples in the region and represents the Sun.