Hindu temples usually have a primary or principal deity enshrined in the garbagriham, often called the presiding murthy, and many other idols spread throughout the temple. In Sivan temples the presiding deity is often but not always a form of the Sivalingam. Other idols of Siva and sometimes an empty space to emphasize the formlessness of the Lord are also consecrated. In Vaisnavite temples various poses of Lord Vishnu and his many avatars are installed as the presiding deity. In other temples, idols of the Goddess, Ganesha or Murugan are the primary idol. Numerous other idols are found in various parts of the temples. These can be different forms of the presiding deity or other deities. Many idols are installed in the mandapams and prakarams of the temples. Some are found in various niches and others have their own subsidiary shrines. The idols installed in the outer wall (koshta) of the garbagriham are known as the koshta idols. While many diols are made of stone, some are fashioned out of other material such as metal, stucco or wood. The processional idols are ones that are taken in procession by palanquin or a chariot during various festivals. They are the utsavamurthys and are stored in the prakarams. They are usually ancient bronzes and have holes at the base to secure them when they are carried around. Besides deities there are also other sculptures in temples commemorating people such as religious figures like the Nayanmar or Aalwar and benefactors including royalty and citizens.
Sivalingam: The Sivalingam is commonly used as the idol of choice in Sivan temples as a symbol of Lord Siva and is installed as the primary deity. Usually a short cylindrical structure made of stone it is sometimes made of other material like earth, sand or metal. In Saivite tradition it is an attempt to give form to Lord Shiva who is formless and amorphous. It has deep philosophical meaning. European scholars in the nineteenth century thought that it was a phallic symbol. This was a misinterpretation by people with little knowledge of the religion and has stuck in the popular imagination especially in the West, with a certain degree of malicious intent. It is not characterized as such in any Saivite literature and no practising Saivite has any such illusion. Apart from the primary idol, numerous other types of Sivalingam are found in the outer hall ways of the prakarams and on the vimanam and gopurams in many Sivan temples.
Lingothbavar: A popular idol often found externally on the back wall of the Garbagriham as a koshta idol, this is a representation of Siva. It recalls the story of the legend where Lord Siva bade Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma to find the base and the top of the column of fire he manifested as at Thiruvannamalai. It shows a human-like form of the Lord emerging out of a Sivalingam. It was popular in temples built in the Chola era.
Dakshinamurty: This is a form of Lord Shiva as the great teacher or guru. Depicted seated with his left his left foot resting on his right knee, he is often seen with long matted locks of hair. He is usually a koshta idol found on the south-facing wall of the garbagriham. Dakshina means south in Sanskrit The Lord in this forms symbolizes divine knowledge, wisdom and the arts. He is sometimes shown with a veena.
Durga: This form of the Goddess often seen as a koshta idol in Sivan temples, depicts the Goddess as a protectress and destroyer of evil. It is a martial form.
Brahma: For various reasons set forth in many legends Lord Brahma rarely or never has temples dedicated to him He is often seen as a koshta idol with three heads. He lost one of his heads according to a legend.
Perumal: Most Sivan temples have various idols of Lord Vishnu spread throughout the temple. A standing pose of Lord Vishnu is often found as a koshta idol.
Ganesha or Pillaiyar: The popular Lord Vinayakar is often given a subsidiary shrine of his own. In most temples, the shrine for Ganesha is found at the far left corner of the inner prakaram as you face the temple. Many forms exist. There is almost always an idol of Lord Ganesha somewhere near the entrance as it is customary to worship him first as you enter the temple. He is also often seen as a koshta idol.
Murugan or Subramaniyar: Lord Murugan is a very popular deity and he is usually given a shrine of his own at the far right corner of the inner prakaram as you enter the temple. Images of Lord murugan can be seen elsewhere in the temple too.
Amman: The Goddess in her various manifestations can be seen in many parts of the temple. In most temples she has a shrine of her own. The Amman shrine is given an equal stature to the primary deity and sometimes the Amman’s importance exceeds that of the presiding deity and she becomes the primary deity. The Amman shrine is either parallel to the Lord’s shrine either to the left or right or situated perpendicular to the main shrine and facing the mahamandapam. In some temples it is customary to pay homage to the Goddess first before worshipping the Lord in his primary shrine. In Vishnu temples there are two shrines for each of Lord Vishnu’s consorts Sridevi and Boodevi.
Ardhanareeswarar: This idol is half male and half female and denotes the unity of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati as a single deity. It means that the Lord is neither male nor female but both.
Bikshaadanar: This form depicts the Lord as a scantily clad idol. Here he is worshipped as a mendicant or beggar.
Bhairavar or Kaala Bhairavar: This is a fierce form of Shiva, He is often depicted with a dog as his vaahanam and this form is meant to strike fear in evil doers. He often has a shrine of his own in most Sivan temples.
Somaskander: The Somaskander idol set has been popular since Pallava times. It consists of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati in a seated position besides each other with a small idol of Lord Murugan between them. It is important in the iconology of the Thiyagaraja belief system within Saivism.
Umamaheswarar: This twin idol is that of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati standing beside each other.
Chandikeshwarar: The idol of Chandikeshwarar is often given a small shrine right beside and outside the sanctum sanctorum. He is a fearsome idol and is the protector of the temple. His origin is obscure. Some believe that he was one of the Nayanmar and an ardent devotee. Others believe that he is one of the many manifestations of the Lord himself. Customs vary in his worship. Some visit the Chandikeshwarar shrine to get his permission before worshipping the Lord in the sanctum. Others stop by his shrine during the clockwise circumambulation of the sanctum. He is often found at the 3 o’clock position. Some clap their hands in front of shrine. This is apparently to show that nothing is being stolen from the temple. In many temples and regions, this practice is frowned upon and discouraged.
The Navagraha shrine: There is a corner shrine in most temples where the nine celestial bodies are enshrined and worshipped. Worshippers circumambulate this shrine. It appears to be a later development as the most ancient temples do not have this. Some temples have individual idols for the planetary bodies in one of the prakarams. Some temples like the Navagraha temples are dedicated to a celestial body and there is a special subsidiary shrine for that particular planetary deity while Shiva remains the primary deity in the sanctum sanctorum.
The Saptha Kannis or Saptamatrikas: Often found in one of the outer prakarams, this set of 7 idols of the Goddess depict different forms of her. They are Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kowmaari, Vaishnavi, Vaaraaki, Indraani and Chamundi.
Naga Idols: Spread throughout the temple, especially in the outer prakarams and around trees, you often see idols of Naga or the cobra with a spread hood.
Saints: Many Sivan temples have a row of idols in the outer prakaram commemorating the 63 Nayanmar of Tamil Saivism, A special place and more prominence is given to the four Naalvar or Samaya Kuravars - Thirugnasampanthar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundaramurthy Nayanar and Manikkavasagar. In Vaishnavite temples there are idols of the Aalwar and they are venerated.
Lingams: In Saivite temples, there are also a series of secondary Sivalingams often found in one of the outer prakarams or in subsidy shrines. This is apart from the main Sivalingam in the sanctum sanctorum. They are often donated or commissioned my royalty and the benefactors in later years.
Vaahanam: Nandi the bull vehicle of Lord Siva is revered as Lord Nandikeswarar. A sculpture of Nandi is seen in front of the sanctum of Sivan temples. Lord Garuda the vaahanam of Lord Vishnu has similar importance in temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
These are but a few of the common idols seen in temples. There are many others that are not common and sometimes can be unique to a region or a temple.
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