The temple’s structural layout and iconography is quite different from other temples. The temple’s Teertham is located a little to the east, and needs to be passed by to reach the temple. The entire temple is constructed at an elevation of 2-3 feet from ground level. This place is said to have been a much bigger temple complex in the past, however it is reduced to just a few small shrines now.
At the time of our visit in December 2021, the old temple had been recently renovated.
There is no gopuram, dhwajasthambam or bali peetham. Instead, beyond the entry gate is a small Nandi mandapam, following which is the east-facing garbhagriham for the moolavar. Amman’s south-facing shrine is to the right. Flanking the garbhagriham are Vinayakar and Murugan in small, separate shrines. There is no mandapam here, and so all the other shrines are in the prakaram around the moolavar shrine.
On our left, facing north, are two shrines. The first is for Vishnu as Udeekshraja Perumal with His consorts Sridevi and Neeladevi. The second shrine is for Ayur Devi.
Ayur Devi is regarded as the Empress of the Universe, and a manifestation of Parasakti – the universal and all-pervading Sakti, and the primordial life force of everything in the universe. The active worship of Ayur Devi is said to have been in vogue during the Satya / Krita yugam. The iconography of Ayur Devi is written in our agamas and puranams, and is unique like nothing else.
On seven of Her hands are seven sages seated individually, on Her eighth are Gargini Devi and another rishi who are consecrated together in a pot of nectar – together these eight hands are called “Kara Peethams”. Her ninth hand is in abhaya hastam, blessing devotees.
Then, facing east is the absolutely unique shrine for Anjaneyar with Swarsalamba. It is very rare to see Anjaneyar with his consort. As we come around in clockwise direction, there are shrines for Chandikeswarar and then Durga. There is a separate shrine for the sapta matrikas, given their important connection to the temple.