The Sayana Mandapam, also called
the Ardha Mandapam, is directly in front of the sanctum
(in accordance with the Agamas). This is as close to the
sanctum that the pilgrims can get. The Mandapam is connected
to the sanctum by the threshold called Kulasekhara-padi,
after an Alwar who wished to be reborn as the threshold
to the Lord's shrine.
The main function of this Mandapam
is to facilitate the performance of rituals that cannot
be accommodated in the sanctum.
The Mandapam is so called because
it is here that the representative icon of the Lord
(Bhoga Srinivasa) is ceremoniously put to bed as the
last sequence (Sayanotsava or Ekanta Seva) of daily
worship.
