Thirukarai Easwarar Manampathy

Saivite Temples, Chengalpet Taluk

God

Thirukarai Easwarar, facing east

Goddess

Padalambikai, facing south

Other Deities

Sanctum niches – Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Chandikeswara, Durga. Inner Prakaram – Ganesha, Ayyappa, Kasi Viswanathar, Muruga with consorts, twin Bhairavas, Surya, Naga Ganapathy, Naga Lingam, Naga Subramania, Navagraha

Thirukarai Easwarar Manampathy is an ancient east facing temple with a 5 tiered Rajagopuram at the eastern side. The temple has an outer Prakaram, a front Mantapa and an inner Prakaram. At the entrance to the inner Prakaram are two huge Dwarapalakas on either side. On the right are three Naagars with Ganesha, Shiva and Muruga under each of the hoods. The goddess shrine is separate, south facing and in front of the main Mantapa. There is a large temple tank right behind from which the name of the lord has been derived – Thirukarai (on the banks of the water) Easwarar (Lord Shiva). The vimaana of the Lord is large and in the form of a seated elephant (Gajaprashtam). A beautiful Nagalingam Tree (Couroupita guianensis – Cannonball Tree) here spreads the wonderful fragrance of its flowers all around the temple.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Temple Pond

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Thirukarai Easwarar Manampathy is an ancient temple dating back at least 1000 years as is evident from the Vimaanam, the carvings and other features. The ancient name from the Chola period of this place is Vanava Mahadeva Chaturvedi Mangalam.

Legend

The lord is believed to have come here to Thirukarai Easwarar Manampathy with his consort as a hunter and hunted Deer (Maan in tamil) and thus the name Maan am Pathi. The goddess here is believed to cure people with talking disabilities. A group of idols placed outside the temple wall represents people of the Veera Sengunthar Community who gave up their lives for a cause in early times.

Directions

Thirukarai Easwarar Manampathy is 11 kilometers south west of Thiruporur and about 17 kilometers east of Chingleput.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest is Thiruporur or Chengalpet.

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples