If we have already discussed about it let me know. I am puzzled about the direction in which two of the shiva temple entrances are built.
1. Rasipuram - (this is my hometown in Namakkal District) - The Eswaran temple in this town is west facing. Normally all the temples will be facing east, however built by one of "Kadai elu vallal" Valvil Ori around 2000 years back, this temples enterance (main Gopuram) and the Shivalinga idol himself are facing West.
2. Chennai Saidapet Karneeswar Temple - The shiva Idol is facing East, however main gopuram is facing south (no other Gopurams in other directions). I think the reason may be that, initially the entrance and tower should have been on the East side. But when the Railway track was laid which is now just adjucent to the temple should have caused the British to move the entrance to south. Not sure my thinking is correct. Anyone can shed some light on this?
Also, I would love to know is there any other temple (shiva temple in particular) where the entrance / idol are facing directions other than east.
the main sanctum of nataraja has only a south entrance
the sanctum is on a raised platform called the sabhai which has entrances and steps on east and west
a walled enclosure has nataraja and govindaraja shrines.this walled enclosure has one entrance on south and 2 on east( one facing govindaraja)
this entire structure along with other shrines is within another prakaram which has east and west openings( it is in this wall that he disputed south walled door is)
then comes the open space and outer walls of the temple complex which has entrances on all sides.
not a very organised structure pointing to buildings over several eras
Good to see so many temples with different direction. However, I am interested to know what makes the builders or sthapathy to take diversion from the regular practice of facing east? Is there any specific reasons? Is it that if I am building a temple, I am free to choose the direction in which the swami / main tower to be facing?
natrajar and ranganathar facing south, palani facing west some of the holiest of our temples dont face east i dont think there is a hard and fast rule you have to know that these temples are rebuilt over centuries. recently during a excavation in thirukadaiyur they found the burial urns with bones which were several centuries earlier to temple.
so there must have been varying reasons for the temple spot selction in the past
diversion > from the regular practice of facing east? Is there any specific reasons?
I was told by a divyadesam priest that the 'thayar' will always face east, irrespective of the direction faced by the 'perumal'. I have verified this in all the temples I visited. He said, if you are not sure of the direction, go to the 'thayar' temple.Sampath
I will add more. Thiruvanaikka and Mayuram vallalar - swami faces west.
Trichur Vadakkunadan. Swami faces north.
These temples were mostly swayambu are devapradishtai. ( by another God like Parvati, Vishnu) Hence the decision is by the God.
For New temples, the swami should be facing east. If any change is to be made i think should be by very divine person. I think sthapati has no rlole here. Can any one suggest.
Dear All,In most of theShiva temples Lord faces east ,only invery few temples Lord faces west,,,,,, but Ambal faces either south or east inall temples in tamilnadu. Buta a rare news is both Lord Shiva &Ambal facesWEST in Sattiakudi!!!!!! It is near Thiruvarur!