Vanneeswarar, Alwarkurichi

Vanneeswarar Alwarkurichi is a large old temple and is dilapidated in many places including parts of the imposing compound walls. The entrance is through a 5 tiered Rajagopuram. This should have been a beautiful structure once as it is filled with intricately carved idols, but today though intact it presents a sad picture with weeds on top and all the idols broken and eroded. The large outer Prakaram is overgrown with weeds. A long passage mandapam with carved pillars leads to the inner Prakaram after a beautiful large Nandi. The Mahamantapam is common to both the god and goddess. The inner Prakaram is covered. Both the sanctums have an Ardha Mantapa and Antralyaa leading to the deities. The main deity is on a square base (Aavudayar). There are some beautiful carvings all around on the pillars including a pregnant woman (Goddess Garbarakshami), Krishna with gopis, Arjuna in penance, Siva in Kailash, Anjaneya with a bell on the tail, and others. There are quite a few Anjaneya carvings here at Vanneeswarar Alwarkurichi. In the southeast of the compound is a large Nataraja Mantapam which is also dilapidated, but has many beautiful pillars. The entire temple is created with stone including the 20 feet high compound walls. An ancient Mantapam outside was used as the platform to keep the decorated processional deities before taking them on procession in the temple car in the ancient days. This famous and important temple of the ancient past is today a scene of neglect. Till some years back people were warned from entering due to structural instability. Thieves had got inside and tried to remove the flagstaff and being unable to do so had damaged the same. Even the gates with beautiful wooden carvings had been vandalized and the carvings stolen in bits and pieces. Thanks to media attention, well-wishers including some important locals got together and made the temple fit for entry and worship. The Ramanadhi (River, also called Varahanadhi) used to run in front of the temple, but due to flooding, it changed its course and now runs behind the temple.

Vanneeswarar Alwarkurichi is considered as one of the Pancha Kurosam temples in this area (others include Sivaleswarar – Sivasailam, Rameswarar (Karteeswarar) – Pappankulam, Papanaseswarar – Papanasam, Valeeswarar – Kakkanallur).