Arun
Part time Ph.D. Research Scholar, V. O. C. College, Thoothukudi.
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to describe the architectural marvel of Sri Kailasanather Temple at Srivaikuntam. Art is the outcome of internal reactions of feelings in mind and expressed through arts of sculpture, music, drama and dance. Architecture is the art and technique of building employed to fullfill the practical and expressive requirements of civilized people. Almost every settled society that possess the techniques for building produces architecture. Architecture thus is an art of organizing space not only functionally but beautifully. Sri Kailasanather Temple Srivaikundam is one of the few existing year of Pandya temple with rich and hoary past, Srivaikundam is situated at eighteen miles from Palayamkottai at the eastern direction on Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli highway road in Tutucorin District of Tamilnadu. Sri Kailasanather Temple is situated in the north-eastern corner of Srivaikundam. The place around the temple is also known as Kailayapuram.
The art in Sri Kailasanather Temple at Srivaikuntam, is the outcome of internal reactions of feelings in mind and expressed through arts of sculpture, music, drama and dance. Architecture is the art and technique of building employed to fulfill the practical and expressive requirements of civilized people. Almost every settled society that possess the techniques for building produces architecture.1 Architecture thus is an art of organizing space not only functionally but beautifully.2
Sri Kailasanather Temple at Srivaikundam is one of the few existing Pandya temples with rich and hoary past. Srivaikundam is situated at eighteen miles from Palayamkottai at the eastern direction on Tiruchendur-Tirunelveli highway road in Tutucorin District of Tamilnadu3. Sri Kailasanather Temple is situated in the north-eastern corner of Srivaikundam. The place around the temple is also known as Kailayapuram. This temple is dedicated to Lord Kailasanather and Goddess Sivagami Amman. Saint Kumara Guruparar recited ‘Kailasa Kalampagam’ on Kailasanather of this temple.4 Sri Kailasanather Temple as it stands today is a vast and impressive complex of structures enclosed by high and massive compound walls all around occupying a rectangular plot of land. The temple measures 340 feet East to West and 323 feet South to North by occupying an area of two and half acres and two cents.5 Like many of the big temple complexes of South India at Chidambaram and Madurai, this temple was not built all at one time but was the result of many centuries of growth and development. Sri Kailasanather Temple Srivaikuntam has massive structure with lofty mandapas. It’s present form was constructed by the Early and Later Pandyas. Nayaks of Madurai constructed more mandapas. So this temple has the architectural impact of Pandyas and Nayaks of Madurai. Generally the temples are constructed facing the east according to the agamas.6
This temple situates, in an area of two and half acres and two cents. The eastern entrance is of 30 feet height twenty feet width. This renowned temple is famous for Suyampu Linga without spouse. This temple has four prakaras. In its Garbhagraha, Artha mandapa, Inner prakara, Maha mandapa, Sivagami Amman shrine, Muga mandapa, Duvaja stampa mandapa, Alangara mandapa, Thalavarisai prakara, Nanthavana Prakara, Sevili mandapa, Santhana sapapathi mandapa, Yali mandapa, Velvi salai mandapa, Muthalisar or Kasiviswanather shrine, Visalakshi Amman shrine. In outer wall prakara, pandal mandapa, Executive Officer office, marriage -hall and Eastern panthal mandapa are all main features of the temple. The Eastern Gopura entrance leads to the outer prakara, Duwaja stampa and palipida which are placed in axile. The southern outer prakara has a panthal mandapa and Executive Officer office are found in the roofing between these mandapa is supported by forty pillars. The walls of the sanctum contain the devagoshtas and plasters. The entire parts are enclosed by an inner closure wall, which has the main entrance on the eastern side. The sanctum santorium houses the stone image of Suyampulinga is in square shape. Sri Kailasanather Temple vimana is of 23.6 feet height. Kapotha pantha upapida is situated under the base of sanctum. Kapotha pantha upapida includes upana, padmajagathi pattikai, small yali row, kapotha kanda.7 The central shrine faces the east the length of sanctum of lord Kailasanather is twenty feet and twenty feet width and thirteen feet height and on this terrace vimana situates.
Karuvarai is covered with wall on north, south and west on eastern side of the wall. The front door is double half door. Seven and half feet height and four feet width size of half Duvarabalagas is kept on three feet height platform in each side of the door entrance of sanctum. Inside the sanctum lord Kailasanather in linga pose stands lonely, thiruvatchi is kept behind the linga idol. Inner karuvarai entrance is decorated with deepas. Twenty seven feet vimana of Kailasanather shrine is half circular variety stands on fifteen feet height terrace. It has two storeys, griva, sikara and stupi of the vimana are half circular shape. In the eastern side of giriva niche sitting pose Siva sculpture is depicted. In the western side two suthai sculptures of Siva are depicted. In the northern side griva nichie sculptures of Siva and Brahma are depicted. In the southern side griva nichie sculptures of Parvathi, Bhuma devi, Dakshnamoorthy, Rishi and two womens are depicted. Simhaladams and eight dikapalas sculptures are also engraved on the vimana. Ten devaghostas and eighteen plasters niches are provided on the phitti(walls) of sanctum. Sikara of the vimana is of circular shape. Gold plate Sikara is placed on inverted lotus kalasa.
Plotform shape karuvarai prakara encircling sanctum sanctorum and artha mandapa. On three sides of this prakara walls encircle it leading front portion of maha mandapa in which three doors one on each side of north and south and another in center refixed. It has seventy feet length and twenty-feet width on all sides. There are thirteen feet height twenty seven stone pillars are situated. At a gap of seven feet in between each pillars on south, west and northern side of sanctum respectively the shrine of sixty three Nayanmars. Suradevar, Dhakshinamoorthi, Kannivinayagar, Akashalingam, Neruppu Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Murugan, Valli, Deivanai, Sandekeswarar, Saneswarar shrines and well are situated.
Artha Mandapa is located infront of sanctum sanctorum is in rectangular shape.8 The artha mandapa is considered as the shoulder of the deity of shrine.9 Artha mandapa is of forty feet length and thirty feet width, Thirteen feet height and one feet width, four rows of four pillars. (4×4=16) bearing this mandapa. The pillars have a gap of nine feet space between each other. Nandhi statue is kept in front of the sanctum. Sitting pose vinayagar statue is fixed in the south western corner. In the North Western side of artha mandapa bronze icons of sixty three Nayanmars, Arumugam, Valli, Deivanai, Kailasanather, Sivagami Amman and Kumara Guruparar are kept on the plot form. In the middle of northern wall of Artha mandapa, seven feet height bronze image of Nataraja and three feet height bronze image of Sivakami Amman are kept.
Maha mandapa situates before Artha mandapa with walls. This mandapa is supported by forty nine pillars. It is of fifty feet length and forty feet width. Ten feet height sandal statue of Puthanathar Sastha erected near the northern door of Maha mandapa. On the eastern inner entry of Maha mandapa or rightern side of the door entry there is a sculptured figure of sun and Athikaranandhi and leftern side sculpture figure of Chandra situates.
Sivagami Amman shrine is situated in the northern side of Maha mandapa. Amman statue is of five feet in standing posture lifting. Right hand blessing devotees and left-hand placed down wards. The length of Amman shrine is of 30 feet length and 36 feet width and twelve feet height above this terrace twenty seven feet vimana is situated. In the eastern and western grivaniches are decorated with the suthai sculptures of Sivagami Amman and twelve women toys. Northern and southern side of vimana are decorated with simhaladas suthai sculptures of Sivagami Amman. Muka mandapa or Duwaja stampha mandapa situates before Maha mandapa. It is of thirteen feet height eighty feet length and forty feet width. This mandapa is supported by sixty pillars. Vinayagar and Subramaniyar shrines are situated respectively left and rightern side of the west wall of this mandapa. Nandhi statue, Alter, Flag Staff, Alangara mandapa and Navagriha are situated in the mandapa.
Kasiviswanather or Muthalisar shrine is situated in the north-eastern side of Muka mandapa. It is of thirty feet length, twenty-feet width and seventeen feet height. Ten feet height vimana situated on the terrace, ten feet height shrine. It has two storeys, Griva, Sikara stupi of the vimana are of square shape. Five Devaghostas and thirty plasters are provided on the walls of the shrine. Western side of vimana decorated by Conch, Chakra, Vishnu, four Karnakudus and Lakshmi, eastern side of the vimana is decorated by sculptures of Siva, northern side vimana decorated by the sculptures of Siva and Brahma. Three kalasas placed on the top of the vimana. Fourty feet length and thirty feet width mandapa is situated before the Kasiviswanathar shrine. Ten feet length, ten feet width and ten feet height.
Visalakshi shrine is situated in the northern corner of Kasiviwanathar shrine face to face south. Ten feet height square shape vimana is kept on the ten feet height terrace. Five feet height standing posture Visalakshi statue is enshrined in this shrine. Three kalasas placed on the top of the vimana. Five plasters and three devagostas provided on the walls of the shrine. Seven small size yali sculptures engrave on the kaputhe. Three Nandhi sculptures, Amman, Simaladas are decorated the two storeys of vimana.
Second prakara is known as Thalavarisai prakara. It is situated in between the sanctum santorum and Sevili mandapa. It is an open courtyard which runs around the sanctum Sivagami Amman shrine. Artha mandapa, Muka mandapa, Kasiviswanather shrine, Visalakshi shrine situate and hence it is known as Thavarisai prakara. On the southern side entry of maha mandapa a small mandapa supported by eight pillars is situated. Western side of this mandapa, Vinayagar shrine is erected six pudai sculptures of Nayak kings and Duwarapalakas are engraved on the pillars.
Third prakara or Sevili mandapa situates separately inside from outer fourth pirakara touching the walls on the side in between outer and inner walls. Eastern gopura is situated before the entry of third pirakara. Thirty feet eastern entrance facing east without super structure of gopura is situated in the middle of eastern compound wall. Now this entrance is used for devotees. Third pirakara is a long and broad courtyard consisting of Sevili mandapa, Velvi salai mandapa, Santhana sapapathi mandapa, Yali mandapa and garden. All giving a magnificent appearance Sevili mandapa situates and joined with southern, western and eastern inside compound walls. Respectively bearing fourty pillars, thirty eight pillars situate in between seven and half feet each.
Velvichalai Mandapa is supported by six pillars in two rows, sitting posture simha engraved on the top of the pillars. This Mandapa is of 60 feet length and 20 feet width and its height of 13 feet. Four and half feet height pudai sculpture of two women engraved on the bottom of the northern pillars. The women put her right hand on her hip and she hold firestick on her left hand. In Velvichalai Mandapa there is a kabodam on all sides as border stretching out. In it pudai sculptured image a cow automatically yielding milk. On the idol of Sivalinga, Rama bend the bow and Hanuman are present..
Santhana Sapapathy Mandapa is of 60 feet length 30 feet width and its height of 13 feet facing south. Santhana Sapapathi Mandapa is found infront of Kasivishwanathar shrine and north-eastern corner of this complex. This hall is supported by eight beautiful lofty sculptured yali pillars. These sculptures are perfectly and minutely carved and even veins are visualized. The rightern side of the yalis in mouth contains as small round stone. The Mandapa reveals some scenes of Ramayana, Hanuman and his Vanaras marching towards the battle between Rama and Ravana. Hanuman is carrying the big mountain in flying style. Each and every stone contains the image of Romesha Maha Rishi, Who is in a position of worshiping the lord Siva. In this Mandapa stone statue of lord Nataraja is in standing posture as well as dancing made in monolithic style of 5 feet height kept on the 1 feet height pidam, 3 feet height of Sivagami Amman Kumara Guruparar and Romesh Maharishi statues ane also kept infornt of Lord Nataraja.
There are two stone pillars east of flag mast and south of Ssanthana Sapapathi Mandapa, on the northern stone pillar a figure of watchman sculptured. This watchman (Bagadai) with his sword piers the chest of another human being staying under his feet. On the western side of this stone pillar there is a figure of woman with a drum hanging from her neck beating it. On the southern stone pillar another figure of watchman (Veerapathra) sculptured figure appears. Both this watchman sculpture are facing east with the height of 8 feet and 2 feet width.
Front Mandapa
Before the watchman pillars front Mandapa situates. This mandapa is supported by 13 feet height 4 pillars. 10 feet height 2 single yali pillars situated infront of the mandapa. Another two pillars bearing the sculptures of Koothar, Kailasanathar, Udayavar, Nammalvar, Ravana lifting the mount Kailasa. Fourth prakara represents the outer space of the temple. In the centre of it Rajagopura situates on all the four sides, the compound wall situates with as height of 17 feets is of granite stone and above it 3 feet is of burnt bricks. The width of wall is 4 feet respectively. The eastern and western wall length are 340. The length of wall on northern and southern side is323 respectively. Two nanthi suthai sculptures in sitting posture situated on the four corners of Thirumathil.
Eastern Panthal Mandapa
The Eastern Panthal Mandapa situates before the eastern entrance without Rajagopura placed over 68 stone pillars with length of 208 width of 52 feet and 17 feet height.
Southern Entrance
The southern entrance is situated in the middle of southern compound wall 10 feet height and 6 feet width double doors are fixed with in the stone door frame of southern entrance wall. A small wicket gate 2 feet and 3 feet width is situated in the middle of rightern side door a small mandapa is situated infront of the southern entrance door. This mandapa is supported by 12 pillars. This mandapa is of 30 feet length fifty feet width and it’s height of twelve feet. West of this mandapa the temple office of Executive Officer situates.
The southern entrance panthal mandapa situate in front of southern entrance mandapa facing south. This mandapa is of 73 feet length and fifty one feet length and it’s height of 12 feet. Four rows of ten pillars a full size statue of Nayak official who constructed this mandapa engrave on the bottom of the second pillar. Suthai sculpures of Siva and Sakthi sitting on the bull, worshipping poisture of Kumara Guruparar and Romasha Maharishi raise his two hands over his head and worshipping the Lord Kailasanathar and Sivagami Amman situated on the top of the terrace of this mandapa.
The Temple Car is located at Mahadevar Koil street at western side infront of Kumara Guruparar temple. This car relates to 20th century polygonal shape. It’s height is 20 feet. In total there are 306 images of Lord Siva, Nandi, Agora Virupathira, Ganesa, Duwarapalakas are carved by the carpenters while making the car.
Theppakulam
The huge temple tank situates on the north of temple at a distance of 300 feet is considered to be sacred one. Outside this tank at west a mandapa of 45 feet length and of 30 feet width placed on one feet height plotform. This mandapa has 25 pillars, five pillars on each side. Before entry to tank Urchavar is placed in this mandapa. This tank is noted for architectural value. The terrace of central mandapa in the tank is made of stone beams. This is like and island. Neatly chiseled block of stones used for the steps to the tank in and around four sides and of the central mandapa.
References
- Britanica Encyclopaedia, Architecture.
- Percy Brown, Temple Architecture, Bombay, 1956, p.2.
- Tamilnadu A land of end during Heritage- India, Pub by Director of Tourism, Chennai, 1992, p.52.
- Sivanadi.P, India Charithira Kalanchiyam Vol.I XI, (Tamil), Madras, 1999, pp.50-51.
- Field study on 5.5.2016.
- Suresh.B.Pillai, Introduction to the Study of the Temple Art, Thanjavur, 1982, p.33.
- Michel. W.Melster (Ed), Encyclopaedia of Indian Temple Architecture, South India lower Dravidadesa 200 B.C.1324 A.D, New Delhi, 1983, p.307.
- Rajagopalan.M, Iraianpargal Nadum iniya kovilgal( Tamil), Madras, 2000, p.10.
- Jegadesa Iyer. P. V, South Indian Shrines, New Delhi, 1982, p.13.