Kanchi Mahaswami Satabdhi Manimantapam
The sacred Padukas of Kanchi Mahaswami that adorn the Garba Griha of the Mani Mantapam
The kumbabishekam was performed on 28/1/2011 and it is a beautiful structure built in the
Chola style with granite on the banks of the Palar river. It seems to be modelled on Gangai
Konda Chozhapuram Temple.
History of oruirukai
The place is connected to Thirumazisai alwar and the gurubhakthi of his shishya which forced even the lord to leave Thiruvika
and spend a night at this place thus giving the name oru iravu irukkai (ஓரிரவு இருக்கை - now corrupted to present name!)
The legend is a moving one.Thirumazhisai Alwar who worshipped the Lord of Thiruvekka majestically reclining on his serpentine bed,was cared for by a couple.When the son Kanikannan was born to them,he became the Alwar's steadfast devotee.One day when Kanikannan saw a woman frail and bent with age,sweeping the temple premises offering worship to the Lord,he was moved.He stroked her hunched back in appreciation.The power of his guru surged into him and the woman regained her youth and was able to continue offering worship to the Lord with fresh vigour.The king of the period who greedily desired his youth restored to him requested Kanikannan to do so.But the youngman refused outright which enraged the king and he banished Kanikannan from his kingdom.The Alwar prepared to go with him and asked Lord Thiruvekka also to come too,as he could not live without Him. The Lord rolled up his serpentine bed and obediently followed the Alwar and Kanikannan. The
three travelled some distance way from Kancheepuram on the northern bank of the Paalaar river and stayed the night there.But,with the Lord's departure,the town was plunged in darkness and disorder.The ruler realized his mistake and rushed to the trio,seeking their forgiveness.The Lord returned to Kanchi with his devotees.
The place where he stayed overnight came to be known as Oriravu irukkai,which later got shortened to Orirukkai. This village deity is appropriately called 'Yatoktakari'/ 'Sonnavannam Cheitha'Perumal. The Utsavar comes out once in a year to the street in this village where a Vinayaka temple exists - now at the entrance to the site of the Satabdhi ManiMantapam from the Northern side.
The temple contains a large prahara Mandapam with two halls and a sanctum with a huge idol of Mahaperiyava in a rudraksha mandabam .The walls have exquisite carvings i granite and the sculptures are breathtaking, especially the acharya parampara, the Pradosha thandavam, the navagraha with stone chains hanging from the roof and so on.
View from the main entrance
Prahara mandapam from the sanctum
Entrance to the side mandapams in the prahara
Pradosha thandavam
Guru parampara fresco in stone with Mahaperiyava below. Above Him are Adisankara and Mahavishnu at the top
Navagrahas with the stone chains hanging from the roof all from a single stone!!
Almost all figures and panels are sculpted from a single stone
A lion with a free rolling ball inside the mouth - see the pic below - Reminds of similar one in Madurai
This is the reference drawing used to sculpt the elephants.
All the elephants are from a single block of granite !
Huge Nandhi being carved from a large block of granite
Utsava murthy in a Rudraksha Mandapam
How to reach:
Oruirukkai is about 5 kms away from Kanchi as a continuation of the kamarajar salai in Kanchi. .
When you reach the village loook for the board on the right as in the photo below. A short ride brings
you to the Mani mandapam
