Famous Temples in India

Architecture

The temple deity was the family deity of Vallavarayan Vanthia Thevan (Hero of Ponniyin Selvan novel). Since this place was laid with Vilwam trees it used to be called Vilwaranyam and Vilwavanam, Shiva Lingam found among these trees so the god called as Vilwanatheswarar swamy. The temple is facing east with an entrance from south and was built in Dravidian style of architecture.

Vilwanatheswarar swamy temple has a 5 tier Rajagopuram and faces east direction. The inner Prakaram is entered through a 3 tiered Gopuram. A majestic Dhwajastambham stands in the temple courtyard. There are beautiful sculptures for the 27 Nakshatrams (constellation depicting the birth stars) on one of the towers (Vimanam). In addition, the stone idols and bronze idols of all the 63 Nayanmars are arranged in parallel in upper and lowers rows between inner prakaram and sanctum.The inner prakara around the sanctum has the idols of Brahmi, Kariya Manikka Perumal, Ganesh and Naga. The outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum has many stone inscriptions. The stone inscriptions in this temple reveal that this was an important pilgrimage centre in the past. We can find references of pilgrims using Thiruvalam as a resting place before journeying to other pilgrimages in southern states and as far off places as Banaras (Kasi) in Uttar Pradesh.

108 pillared Mandapam - Noorukaal mandap or the mandap with 108 pillars is the highlight of this temple. Deities in different forms and postures, dancing girls, soldiers, men fighting animals, saints, mythical animals and lot more are found in the form of sculptures on all these pillars. The legend of Nandhi fighting with the demon Kanjan is depicted in a sculpture in the hall (Sabha Mandapam) and also in the form of reliefs chiseled on the hall pillars.

ArdhMa andapam - In Ardha Mandapam, a sub-shrine is located which is full of beautiful Chola period bronze images such as Bhikshatana, Somaskandar, two pairs of Uma Chandrashekhar and few later period bronze idols such as Murugan, Valli-Devasena, Ganesh, Pidari Amman, etc. The stone image of Adi Siva Shankara Narayana Murti (a very long and unique name for Vishnu) is also found in Ardha Mandapam. 

Mukha Mandapam - In Mukha Mandapam, there is Nandi which faces in the same direction as the sanctum. Similarly, in the outer area near the Flagstaff and Bali peetha, a very big white colored stucco idol of Nandi is found. In front of that another Nandi (stone image) is located. They also face their backsides towards the sanctum. Thus, all these three Nandis facing in the opposite from their usual positions talk about the legend related to Nandi killing the Asura.

Nandi Mandapam - Nataraj and Sivakami, in the form of bronze idols, are found in this shrine, which is located near the Nandi Mandapam. Mouna Swamigal built the big stucco idol of Nandi. His stone idol is found on the true right side of this big Nandi. The mandapam where the Nandi idols and Swamiji's idol are located is bigger and has many interesting images on the pillars. Navagrahas are also located within this mandapam.

Gowri Teerth, the holy temple tank with a mandap in the middle (called as Neerazhi Mandapam) is located in the area between the two towers. Walls of the temple was built with Granite stone.