THE MAHA MANDAPA

In between the mukha mandapa and the maha mandapa is a recession. Unlike the vimana and the mukha mandapa, the maha mandapa lacks the upapitha, and the adhishthana is also of padabandha type. Upana is not visible, jagati, rudra kumuda, gala complex and pattika forms the components of adhishthana in which the kumuda is decorated with padma series on both sides. Above the adhishthana is the vedika complex. The padabandha adhishthana and the vedika complex are also followed for the recession, but on the northern side the adhishthana of the recession is refurbished above the kumuda and filled with stone blocks. The maha mandapa including the recession are of latter additions. The bhitti that raises above the vedika complex is cantoned by four long vishnukantha pilasters on each side i.e., on north, south and east. The recession that adjoins the mukha mandapa has door way in the north and south, which denotes antarala.

The pilasters possess a square base above which raises the vishnukantha shaft and the upper ornamentation of the pilasters are mala, sthana, kattu, kalasa, tadi, kumbha, padma pali, phalaka and the virakantha. The potikas above the pilasters, as like the vimana and mukha mandapa are angular taranga with kulavu, the kulavu is seen in the angular section. In the mala section each facet of the vishnukantha pilaster is adorned with either flower festoons inside the beaded garland or leafy creeper ornamentations. In the sthana either circular scrolls or creepy scrolls are shown, inside each circle a blossom is shown. Embossed ornamentation is shown for the kalasa, tadi and kumbha, but the ornamentations in some of the pilasters are not well formed. 

The spaces in between the pillars on the north and south are adorned with panjara. The panjara has the features of a pair of pilasters and potikas that bear the prastara components. The pilasters and the potikas carry same ornamentation of the pilasters of the mother wall. The panjaras are crowned with an ornamental makara thorana. Whereas on the eastern side the entrance to the maha mandapa is seen in the space between the middle pilasters, the spaces on either side are adorned with niches. The niches might be provision for Dvarapalas, but at present are empty. The entrance is flanked by brahmakantha pilasters. 

The potikas of the mother wall extend its limbs to bear the uttira and above the uttira is the vajana followed by bhuta frieze adorned valabhi. The roof of the mandapa extend as flexed over hanging kapota, each side four kudu arches deck the kapota on the north and south, whereas on the eastern side it is absent. Varieties are handled both on the arches and the miniatures inside the kudus. Some of the arches carry the usual scroll ornamentation while in some of the arches the flows are formed as ringlets, each circle is adorned with a bloomed louts. On the northern side all the kudus are adorned with lotus medallions whereas on the southern side miniatures are shown; Linga worshiped by crow, Linga worshiped by snake are seen, in the west face a peacock with thick plumage is seen. Above the kapota is the bhumidesa represented with yazhi frieze.

INSIDE THE MAHA MANDAPA

The maha mandapa is a pillared hall, measuring 19’ 10” both in the east-west and north-south directions and supported by four heavy pillars. The pillars are raised on a oma which is ornamented with padma series, three squares and kattu in between forms the components of the pillars. Potikas are absent; hence the pillars directly bear the uttira which is followed by the other prastara elements. In addition, the walls of the mandapa also possess the prastara elements of vajana, valabhi. The roof of the mandapa is covered with stone slabs. The mandapa is refurbished with modern granite flooring, in addition, cement pillars are also added to enhance the support for roof.

THE ANTARALA

The antarala measures 4’5” in east-west directions and 13’ in north-south directions and door openings are seen on both the sides.   

THE MUKHA MANDAPA

The anterior wall of the mukha mandapa has an aperture in the middle flanked by rudrakantha split pilasters. The aperture has ornamental door frames in the sides and top. The edges of the jambs are decorated with leafy patterns, the lintel is ornamented as kantha-patha section and miniatures are depicted in the kantha region; in the center Gajalakshmi is seen, on both ends lamp is shown and on either side of the goddess a couple is seen. The niches on either side of the entrance are adorned with dvarapalas.

The pilasters possess the usual head components and ornamentations, the frames of the split pilasters are also decorated with creepers. It is interesting to note the sthana of the split pilasters are adorned with miniatures of Sanganidhi and Padumanidhi. The potikas above the pilasters are plain angular bearing the prastara elements. The bhuta frieze adorned valabhi bear the roof of the mandapa. 

The mukha mandapa is 10’8” in the north-south and 20’3” in the east-west directions. Four stunted vishnukantha pillars bear the mandapa. The pillars have a square base and all usual head components are formed in the vishnukantha shaft. Interesting feature of the pillars is miniature in each facet of the sthana; Linga worshipped by various animals forms the major theme in one of the pillar, besides, Linga worshipped by a rishi, a male, etc. is also seen. One of the striking feature of these miniatures are umbrella shown for the Lingas. Dancing miniatures forms the another major theme in one of the pillar; women in dancing posture accompanied by musician, Lord Siva in dancing postures, are remarkable to mention. In addition, Lord Siva in seated postures, few puranic themes are also seen. The animals that worship Linga are dog, tortoise, elephant, snake, fish, peacock, swan etc. 

Angular potikas that rest above the pillars bear the uttira of the mandapa. The uttira is followed by vajana and valabhi that bear the roof of the mandapa. As like the maha mandapa, the antarala and the mukha mandapa are also refurbished with modern granite flooring.

THE SANCTUM

The anterior wall of the sanctum is projected in the middle where the entrance to the sanctum is seen. The usual split pilasters flanking entrance is absent instead pilasters are shown at the ends of the projected wall. The pilasters possess all the usual head components except the mala and the sthana, as like, the embossed ornamentations also are not lavish as found in the outer side pilasters of the vimana. The potikas above the pilasters are plain-angular and two limbed, taranga and kulavu followed in the outer side are absent here. The potikas bear the uttira which is followed by vajana and valabhi that adjoins the roof, bhuta frieze is absent in the latter. 

The sanctum is a cubical chamber, measuring 9’3” both in east-west and north-south directions. Uttira, vajana, valabhi are the prastara components seen in the walls of the sanctum. The sanctum houses Lord Ologamadevi Iswaramudaiyar in the form of Linga. The avudaiyar of the Linga is ornamented as urthuva and adhava padma and the long gomukha is facing north.