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Kanakaavati Kshetramu
As mentioned in the palm-leaf manuscripts, the main temple is situated at the center of the complex. Within this central shrine, the deities Kalabhairava and Kalaratri, representing the cosmic forms of Shiva, are enshrined in the form of Lingas. Surrounding this main temple, in a circular arrangement, are 244 shrines dedicated to various subsidiary deities. This entire temple complex is constructed in 18 concentric circular layers. Groves are established on either side of these temple layers. Each circular layer of temples has a circumambulatory path (Parispriha), which the Yaksha deities use for their clockwise movement.
(01) Dhina Devatas (Day Deities) – The temples in the first circle represent the day and night.
(02) Vaara Devatas (Weekday Deities) – The temples in the second circle represent each day of the week and are dedicated to the seven planets.
(03) Tithi Devatas (Lunar Day Deities) – The temples in the third circle are dedicated to the 16 Tithi deities.
(04) Paksha Devatas (Fortnight Deities) – The temples in the fourth circle honor the two fortnights: Shukla (bright) and Krishna (dark).
(05) Maasa Devatas (Month Deities) – The temples in the fifth circle are dedicated to the 12 month deities.
(06) Ritu Devatas (Season Deities) – The temples in the sixth circle are dedicated to the 6 season deities.
(07) Ayana Devatas (Solstice Deities) – The temples in the seventh circle are dedicated to the two solstice deities.
(08) Samvatsara Devatas (Year Deities) – The temples in the eighth circle are dedicated to the 60 year deities.
(09 ) Yuga Devatas (Epoch Deities) – The temples in the ninth circle are dedicated to the four Yuga deities.
(10) Manvantara Devatas (Era Deities) – The temples in the tenth circle are dedicated to the 14 Manvantara deities.
(11) Kalpa Devatas (Cosmic Cycle Deities) – The temples in the eleventh circle are dedicated to the 31 Kalpa deities.
(12) Rashi Devatas (Zodiac Sign Deities) – The temples in the twelfth circle are dedicated to the presiding deities of the twelve zodiac signs.
(13) Nakshatra Devatas (Constellation Deities) – The temples in the thirteenth circle are dedicated to the 28 Nakshatra deities.
(14) Karana Devatas (Time Division Deities) – The temples in the fourteenth circle are dedicated to the 11 Karana deities.
(15) Yoga Devatas (Auspicious Combination Deities) – The temples in the fifteenth circle are dedicated to the 27 Yoga deities.
(16) Dikku Devatas (Direction Deities) – The temples in the sixteenth circle are dedicated to the deities of the eight directions.
(17) Bhuta Devatas (Element Deities) – The temples in the seventeenth circle are dedicated to the deities of the five elements.
(18) Shunya Chakram (Void Circle) – The eighteenth circle represents the void at the end of time.
Sacred Entrances, Groves, and Divine Water Bodies
Eighteen enclosures (Dwara Pratishtalu – entrance installations) are constructed in each circular layer of the temple complex. All devotees enter through these gateways to reach the temple of Kalabhairava and Kalaratri. Within this temple complex, there are also divine water bodies (sacred ponds), where bathing is believed to absolve curses and fulfill desires. Additionally, groves are established on either side of the temples in each circular layer.
Names of the Guardians of the Eighteen Enclosures:
(01) Main Temple → Mareduvanam (Bael Tree Grove)
(02) Vaara Devata → Mamidivanam (Mango Grove)
(03) Tithi Devata → Mogalivanam (Screw Pine Grove)
(04) Paksha Devata → Kadalivanam (Banana Grove)
(05) Maasa Devata → Chandanavanam (Sandalwood Grove)
(06) Ritu Devata → Kamalavanam (Lotus Grove)
(07) Ayana Devata → Usirikavanam (Indian Gooseberry Grove)
(08) Samvatsara Devata → Maruvagavanam (Marjoram Grove)
(09 ) Yuga Devata → Uttareni Vanam (Prickly Chaff Flower Grove)
(10) Manvantara Devata → Darbhavanam (Kusha Grass Grove)
(11) Kalpa Devata → Amravanam (Mango Grove)
(12) Rashi Devata → Tulasivanam (Holy Basil Grove)
(13) Nakshatra Devata → Sabjavanam (Sweet Basil Grove)
(14) Karana Devata → Pogakuvanam (Tobacco Grove)
(15) Yoga Devata → Modugavanam (Flame-of-the-Forest Grove)
(16) Dikku Devata → Kadamba, Ravivanam (Kadamba and Peepal Tree Grove)
(17) Bhuta Devatas (Element Deities) – The temples in the seventeenth circle are dedicated to the deities of the five elements.
(18) Bhuta Devata → Medi, Vepavanam (Indian Fig and Neem Tree Grove)
As described in the scripture, the total land required for the construction of the Kanakaavati Kshetram is approximately 1000 acres.
Total number of saplings for the establishment of groves in the Kshetram: 88077
Total area allocated for the groves: Approximately 17770830 sq. ft. (408 acres)
Total length of the constructed circumambulatory paths (Parispriha): Approximately 19000 meters (58 kilometers)
Total number of pillars required: 3050 pillars
Guardians who protect the groves and the forest wealth (those who serve all the tree deities):
(01) Indra Senudu
(02) Ramudu
(03) Vishalududu
(04) Kapali
(05) Mattudu
(06) Mandavyudu
(07) Bhaskarudu
(08) Surasenudu
(09) Ratnakoshudu
(10) Shambhudu
(11) Satvikudu
(12 ) Naravahanudu
(13) Indrudu
(14) Gomukhudu
(15) Khambali
(16) Vyadi
(17) Nagarjunudu
(18) Suranandudu
(19) Nagabhodhi
(20) Yashonadhudu
(21) Khandudu
(22) Kapalikudu
(23) Brahma
(24) Govindudu
(25) Lampakudu
(26) Hari
(27) Adimunudu
Main Temple Construction Style
- The place where the deity resides in the main temple is called Vahni Mandalam. Here, the deity appears radiant with divine light, as if present in fire.
- The deity’s circumambulatory path (Parisphriha) is surrounded by Amritam (nectar), meaning it is an Amritagundam (nectar pool).
- For the deity, in the northeast layer is Ratnasanu, in the southeast layer is Hemakutam, in the southwest layer is Karmavipakam, and in the northwest is Manumedhanam.
- The main temple has four magnificent entrances. The east entrance (door) is called Moksha Kavatami (door to liberation), the south entrance is called Janma Kavatami (door to birth), the west entrance is called Jara Kavatami (door to old age), and the north entrance is called Punya Kavatami (door to merit).
- It has 18 enclosures in four directions and 7 magnificent entrances. Twenty-eight great Yakshinis (female demigods) are the guardians of these entrances.
Garbhagudi Measurements:
Dimension: The Garbhagudi is constructed according to Vastu Shastra with dimensions of 21′ X 21′.
Pada (Unit): The foundation of the Garbhagudi is constructed with a measurement of 49 Padas.
Garbhagudi Height → 36′
Foundation Height → 3′ 6″ (Nabhyaayam Parivrittatah, can be from 3′ 6″ to 7′)
Height from Foundation → Should be 36′
Temple Height → 12′
Pillar Height → 10′, Beam thickness 1′ 6″, Slab thickness 6″
Temple Peak Height → 24′
Parisphriha (Circumambulatory Path): Immediately after the Garbhagudi, there is a Parisphriha (circular path) with a width of 9′ 7″ around the Garbhagudi, on which the Yaksha deities circumambulate the Garbhagudi, as mentioned in the scripture.
First Circular Layer:
Number of Pillars: There are 12 pillars in this layer. These represent the twelve Adityas (solar deities), the twelve months, and the twelve types of living beings.
Pillar Base Dimension: Each pillar has a base dimension of 2′ X 2′ and a radius of 1.5.
Radius: The outer radius of this circle from the center of the Garbhagudi is 22′ 1″.
Pada (Unit): This layer is constructed with the 171st Pada according to Vastu principles.
Second Circular Layer:
Number of Pillars: The second layer has 16 pillars, representing the 16 Tithis (lunar days).
Pillar Base Dimension: Each pillar has a base dimension of 2′ X 2′.
Radius: The outer radius of this circle from the center of the Garbhagudi is 40′ 11”.
Pada (Unit): This layer is constructed with the 585th Pada according to Vastu principles.
Third Circular Layer:
Number of Pillars: The third layer is constructed with 28 pillars. This number of pillars represents the 28 Nakshatras (lunar constellations).
Pillar Base Dimension: Each pillar has a base dimension of 2′ X 2′.
Radius: The outer radius of this circle from the center of the Garbhagudi is 57′ 2”.
Pada (Unit): This layer is constructed with the 1141st Pada according to Vastu principles.
Fourth Circular Layer:
Number of Pillars: This layer has 32 pillars, representing the 31 Kalpas (cosmic cycles).
Pillar Base Dimension: Each pillar has a base dimension of 2′ X 2′.
Radius: The outer radius of this circle from the center of the Garbhagudi is 73′ 8”.
Pada (Unit): This layer is constructed with the 1893rd Pada according to Vastu principles.
Fifth Circular Layer:
Number of Pillars: The outermost circular layer has 36 pillars. These represent the 36 Shiva Ganas (attendants of Shiva) who perform the control of time and nature.
Pillar Base Dimension: Each pillar has a base dimension of 2′ X 2′.
Radius: The outer radius of this circle from the center of the Garbhagudi is 89′ 11”.
Pada (Unit): This layer is constructed with the 2823rd Pada according to Vastu principles.
Grove: Mareduvanam (Bael Tree Grove)
After the five circular layers, a circular grove with a width of 50′ is established.
Starting Distance: 89′ 11” from the center of the main temple.
Number of Plants: 120 (approximately)
Total Area: 36110 sq. ft.
Parisphriha (Circumambulatory Path)
Starting Distance: 139′ 11” from the center of the main temple.
Width: 50′
Total Length: 2292 (approximately 0.7 kilometers)
Material Used: Concrete road
Garbhagudi:
In this, the subsidiary deity related to the respective cosmic cycle layer is enshrined.
Dimension: 15′ X 15′
Wall Thickness: 1′
Pada (Unit): 25 Pada.
Number of Pillars: 12 pillars representing the 12 types of living beings.
Arrangement: The pillars are arranged circularly around the Garbhagudi.
Outer Radius: The radius from the center of the Garbhagudi to the outer circle of the pillars is 22′ 1”.
Pillar Base Dimension: The base of each pillar has a dimension of 2′ X 2′ and a radius of 1.5.
Construction Padam for 12 pillars: 171
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