Chokkanathar, Chokkalinga Nagar, Madurai

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Chokkanathar	Ambal / Thayar:	x
Deity:	Other	Historical name:
Vriksham:		Teertham:
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	7 to 11 & 4.30 to 8	Parikaram:
Temple group:		–
Sung by:		Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Chokkalinga Nagar	District:	Madurai
Maps from (click):	Current location	Madurai (3 km)	Sivaganga (10 km)
	Virudhunagar (50 km)	Dindigul (61 km)

Location

Sthala puranam and temple information

This small but fascinating temple in the heart of Madurai seems to have gone unnoticed, even to residents of that city. The temple is located in an entirely residential area, and we visited this temple by accident (while searching for the Adi Sokkanathar temple at Simmakkal).

The temple is locally referred to as the Chokkanathar temple, after the main deity – Siva – who is worshipped by that name. There is also a Vishnu shrine which is given equal prominence. While there is no sthala puranam or other story connected to this temple, the temple itself is rather interesting.

This east-facing temple appears to be rather recently built – about 100-200 years old. Today, the temple is painted in somewhat garish colours, but that doesn’t detract from the uniqueness of the temple itself.

There are two primary shrines – one each for Siva and Vishnu. Siva here is called Chokkanathar, while Vishnu – present with Sridevi and Bhudevi – is called Sundara Manikka Perumal.

The Siva shrine itself has three components – for Vinayakar, Siva, and Murugan. Each of these sub-shrines has their respective vahanams in front (the mouse, Nandi and peacock). Similarly, the shrine for Vishnu has a small sub-shrine for Garudazhvar in front.

There are also separate shrines for parivara devatas, including what appears to be a very old murti of Dakshinamurti, going by the roughness of the work on this murti.

The temple has no gopuram, but both the Siva and Vishnu shrines have rather nice looking vimanams made of stone and stucco.

Other information for your visit

The place is well maintained, and has a caretaker at most times, though the priest performs his puja here twice a day – once in the morning and once later in the evening.