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Architecture: This is a massive temple with as many as seven prakarams or circumambulatory paths surrounding the central sanctum. A 154 feet high Rajagopuram adorns the entrance to the outermost prakaram. There are several beutiful pillared halls in the temple - such as the Thousand pillared hall, the Vallala Maharaja Mandapam, the Yaanai Vaahana Mandapam, Garudavaahana Mandapam, Vennaithaazhi mandapam and Punnai Vaahana mandapam. The Shrine to Garuda on top of a 50 feet high monolithic pillar in front of the temple, deserves mention. The saying 'Mannaargudi Madhil Azhagu' (the walls of the temple of Mannargudi are of great beauty) in Tamil, testifies to the grandeur of this temple. Several theerthams (temple tanks) adorn this shrine. The Haridra Nadhi tank is located located near the temple, and popular belief has it, that a river was transformed into a big tank, and that Rajagopala performed the famed Rasa Leela in the tank. |