![thirugnana sambandar thevaram thirupasuram thirugnana sambandar thevaram thirupasuram](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_pVfpWVZ7u0/hqdefault.jpg)
![thirugnana sambandar thevaram thirupasuram thirugnana sambandar thevaram thirupasuram](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9y7ErJZObFk/WQUL9gJMrZI/AAAAAAAAG7c/FhmWgvXfyVUXGeWL1XvgooZ0Cv9Gt-U3wCLcB/s400/maxresdefault%2B%282%29.jpg)
The pillars supporting the maha mandapams of both the shrines have been tastefully sculpted with yakshis in the corbels, which resemble the pillars of the longest corridor at the Rameswaram temple. A noticeable feature is the presence of the Nandi in the goddess’ sannidhi. While circumambulating the shrine, one can see the figurines of Itcha, Kriya and Gnana saktis on the southern, western and northern sides of garbha griha. The idol of Elavaar Kuzhali is a fine piece of sculpture. There is a passage from the maha mandapam of Edakanathar to the Amman sannidhi. The ‘tirtham’ of this temple is Brahma tirtham and the sacred tree is ‘vilvam.’ Near the navagrahas is Bhairavar, a fine piece of sculpture. On the northern side of the prakaram are the statuettes of Saptha Kannis. On the southern side are the idols of 63 Nayanmars, presenting a sculptural feast. At the western corner is Lord Subramanya with His consorts. The prakaram of the Lord’s sannadhi has a separate niche for Dakshinamurthy (on the southern wall of the garbha griha), Lingothbavar on the west and Durga on the north. There are a maha mandapam, ardha mandapam and garbha griha at both the sannidhis. The shrine for the goddess is on the right side of Edakanathar’s. The temple, with such a historical and hagiological background, faces East and has two five-storeyed rajagopurams, one at the entrance of the shrine of the presiding deity, Edakanathar or Edakanatheeswarar, and the other at the entrance of His consort, Elavaar Kuzhali also known as Sugantha Kuntalambika. The Thirugnana Sambandar mandapam in South Avani Moola Street owes its origin to the saint and the 292 head of this mutt is Arunagirinatha Sri Gnana Sambanda Desika Paramacharya. Of the 63 Nayanmars, Mangayarkarasi ranks the 55 for saving Saivism, the king and the subjects. To commemorate the spiritual role of Mangayarkarasi, a mandapam was built at the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple, south of the 1,000-pillared mandapam. The Pandya king became an ardent Saivite. A grateful saint called the place ‘Edu Senranai Tharum Edakam.’ It is said that a Siva lingam was installed by Sambandar for worship though it is said to be ‘swayambu.’ Set afloat in the Vaigai, his scripts were carried safely to the bank where an idol of Ganesa stood.
![thirugnana sambandar thevaram thirupasuram thirugnana sambandar thevaram thirupasuram](https://sssbalvikastn.org/images/63_Nayanmargal/Thirugnana_Sambandar_big.jpg)
The palm leaf bundles carrying his hymns and those of others’ literature were set on fire. Later Sambandar had to take on the opponents in Anal vadham and punal vadham - test by fire and water. Koon Pandya was afflicted with heat boils and Sambandar cured him by applying vibhuti. The saint through his hymns (3339 to 3349 of third Thirumarai), prayed to Lord Siva that the heat of the fire that engulfed the mandapam be redirected towards the king, but with a plea not to kill him so that he might become a staunch follower of Saivism. The mandapam, where Sambandar stayed, caught fire. And for this she sought the help of Thirugnana Sambandar, who was staying at a mandapam adjoining the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple in Madurai. when the entire Pandya Kingdom was under the influence of Jainism, Koon Pandya’s queen, Mangayarkarasi, a Chola Princess, who was steeped in Saivism, wanted the ruler Arikesari Parankusa Mara Varman – 670-710 A.D.
![thirugnana sambandar thevaram thirupasuram thirugnana sambandar thevaram thirupasuram](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6VDe1lQbLeI/maxresdefault.jpg)
Legend has it that during the seventh century A.D. The ‘edu’ and the place are strongly associated with saint Thirugnana Sambandar, first of the Thevaram-trio, that spread Saivism in the South through the soul-stirring songs. Thiruedakam literally means, in Tamil, a respectful home for palm leaf (‘edu’ in Tamil).