Architecture

Entrance to the hill temple is through a mandapam called the Aasthana Mandapam built by Tirumalai Nayakkar of Madurai lined with several artistic pillars. 48 pillars, each 20 feet in height bearing Yaalis, elephant, warrior bearing horses hunting tigers etc. are seen in this mandapam. A 7 tiered Gopuram towering to a height of 150 feet forms the entrance to the temple.

There is yet another mandapam refered to as the Kalyana Mandapam to the left of which is the sacred tank Lakshmi Theertham. A series of steps lead to the Kambattadi mandapam, the Ardhamandapam and the Mahamandapam. There are few more mandapams within the temple complex. Much of the structure of the temples was developed by the Nayaks of Madurai.

The sculptural work in this temple is of great beauty. Two panels depict the cosmic dance of Nataraja on one of the cave temple walls. The cosmic dance portrayal shows several celestial beings in the orchestra and in the audience admiring the dance of Shiva.

Several inscriptions from the Pandya Vijayanagar and the Nayak periods are seen in this temple. There is also a tank called Saravanapoigai( as in Palani) to the east of the temple lined with beautiful steps against the imposing hill. In addition, there are caves with interesting sculptural work.