Vaidyeshvara Temple, Talakadu – The Temple

Vaidyeshvara Temple, Talakadu – The Temple

This Temple is facing towards east with an unfinished Rajagopuram (without tiers). Balipeedam, Dwajastambam and Nandi can be seen immediately after the Rajagopuram. The temple is built over raised platform. The Sanctum Sanctorum consists of Sanctum, Antarala, Ardha Mandapa, six pillared Maha Mandapa (Navaranga) and two Mukha Mandapas (one at eastern side & other at southern side).

The entrance of the Maha Mandapa is flanked by two imposing dvarapalas who, according to local folklore, seem to represent the twin Kirata brothers, Tala and Kadu. The second entrance, facing south, is probably a later addition of the 17^th century CE. Utsava (processional) deities and Nataraja can be seen in the Maha Mandapa.

The lintel at the entrance door of the sanctum has relief of Gajalakshmi. Relief of Uma Maheswara seated in Sukhasana can be seen above the Gajalakshmi relief. Ganesha and Subramanya can be seen at the entrance of the sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as Vaidyeshvara / Vaidyanathesvara and is facing east. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam.

Linga is bronze Eka Mugha Linga (single faced). The Vimana over the sanctum is of Vesara style. Mahishamardini, Brahma, Saraswathi, Surya, Vijaya Ganapthy, Gangalamoorthy,  Virabhadra, Tripurantaka, Chandrasekara, Mohini, Lakshmi, Bhairava, Varadaraja, Nataraja etc. can be seen on the niches of the exterior walls.

There is a shrine for Manonmani, consort of Lord Shiva, can be seen in the north west corner of the temple complex. There is an open mandapa behind the sanctum connected to an open portico with five cells housing stone Lingas. There is an extremely rare sculpture of Ganesha riding his mouse, known as Vijaya Ganapathi, located to the right side of the Dvarapalas.

There are carvings depicting the legend of Kannappa Nayanar and Kamadhenu worshipping Lord Shiva in the temple. There is unique carving where two rings of stone latched together in the form of a snake on the right side of the temple. A beautiful chain of granite rings is sculpted at one end of the outer roof. These rings hang down from the roof, with no joints showing the workmanship of ancient artisans.