Manimangalam Kailasanathar Temple



Manimangalam is a small locality located near Tambaram, which in turn is located near Chennai in Tamil Nadu state of India . Manimangalam is a historical site. The great battle between the Chalukya King Pulikesi and the Pallava King Narasimha Pallava was fought in Manimangalam in the 7th century CE. The locality has few ancient temples. Let us explore about an ancient temple in this locality called as Kailasanathar temple in this article.


History:

The temple was built by the Cholas.


Temple Layout:

The east facing temple is completely renovated now. Except for the granite sanctum sanctorum and probably the main deity, everything else in the temple is new. 

The temple does not have tower (Raja gopuram). The sanctum sanctorum enshrines Shiva Linga called as Kailasanathar. 

The Goddess Gnanambikai is found in a separate south facing shrine. She is found in the standing posture and has four arms.

Nandi mandapa and bali peetha are found facing towards the main shrine.

The exterior wall around the sanctorum has the niche idols of Nardana Ganapati, Dakshninamurti, Lingodbhava, Brahma and Vishnu Durga.

The idols of Chandikeshwara, Navagraha and Bhairav are also found in the temple.

In the prakara the sub shrines of Selva Vinayaka and Shanmukha with his two consorts are located. Shanmukha idol is beautiful. He has six faces and twelve arms and is seated on a peacock.

Happy travelling.


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