Talagireeswarar Panamalai

Talagireeswarar Panamalai is a hill temple which is reached by steps hewn on the rocks. There is a rock cut Vinayaka at the base inside a small shrine. There are many deep and beautiful ponds on the way up and on top. Talagireeswarar Panamalai is an east facing temple which is reached from the southern side. A Maha Mantapa leads into the sanctum sanctorum. The main deity is a large 16 faced, 6 feet wide and 4.5 feet tall Lingam. Behind the Lingam is the carving of Somaskanda (Shiva, Parvati and Muruga). In the Artha mantapa leading into the main shrine is a carving of Brahma with his consort on the left and Vishnu with his consort on the right. Inscriptions in Floral Pallava Granthi Script can be seen around the base of the sanctum. The main sanctum sanctorum has connected sub shrines on three sides which house Shiva Lingams. The mantapams surrounding the shrines are additions done much later. The Vimaana is a 3 tiered structure with the top layer having been reconstructed in recent times. There is one remnant of a beautiful painting inside the sub shrine in the north side, all other murals have faded away. Talagireeswarar Panamalai is believed to be one the earliest built by the Pallavas and is said to have been a model for other larger temples of the time, particularly the Vimaana.