Temple with exquisite carvings
Sri Dakshinamoorthy at Sri Kailasanathar temple, Govindawadi.
THERE ARE different forms of Sri Dakshinamoorthy (such as Yoga Dakshinamoorthy,' `Veena Dakshinamoorthy,' etc.) but the one installed at Sri Kailasanathar temple, Govindawadi, near Kancheepuram has many factors that differentiate this idol from any other form of Dakshinamoorthy.
The `kalalam' (the tree canopy above the head of the deity) is not there and a panchasanam has been carved out below the Muyalagan (the monster on whom Dakshinamoorty rests his right leg).
The panchasanam - consisting eight simhams' (lions), eight nagams (five-headed snakes), ashta dwarabalaka (eight armed guards), eight gajams (elephants) and `ashta dikhbalakas' (regents of eight cardinal points) - has the koormam (tortoise) as its base.
Though the Dakshinamoorthy idol has been installed south of the sanctum santorum of Sri Kailasanathar (like in any other Siva temple), the construction has been done in such a way that the deity has a separate shrine.
Exquisite stone carvings - referred to as kumbachara, said to be a form of sculpting promoted by the Chola Kings (so says the pamphlet circulated by the temple authorities) - can be seen on the granite walls of the sanctum sanctorum.
The panchaloka idol of Dakshinamoorthy is also as exquisite as the granite one. The deity is seen seated on the Mount Kailash where the Sanakathi sages are performing penance.
Legend has it that Lord Dakshinamoorthy is said to have appeared before one of his ardent devotees, Thandavarayar, a resident of Govindawadi and bestowed on him His grace and the `scared ash.' Thandavarayar established a religious math at Govindawadi and observed Visaka nakshatram in the Tamil month of Chitirai as Guru Puja day by taking out Viboodhi kavadi from his math and performing special pujas to Dakshinamoorthy. This practice is continued by his descendants.
Another important aspect exclusive to this temple is that devotees, whose marriage proposals face hurdles because of the influence of Raghu, Kethu or Angaragan, are allowed to perform abhishekam to the naga kanni idols installed at the north-west corner of the temple.
After performing the anointment, they have to worship Dakshinamoorthy to get their marriage proposals through, say the villagers.
Elaborate arrangements have been made at the temple, located 15 km from Kancheepuram on the Arakonam-Kancheepuram Road, for the Guru Peyarchi festival, which falls on August 20. Laksharchana to Dakshinamoorthy will be performed on that day, said the Executive Officer, N. Balasubramanian.
Those who are coming from Chennai or Bangalore have to take right/left turn, respectively, into the Arakonam-Kancheepuram Road at Vellaigate junction on the Chennai-Bangalore Highway to reach this temple without entering Kancheepuram.
V. VENKATA-SUBRAMANIAN
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