Srikalahasteeswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of the 12 temples connected with the story of Kumbakonam, and where Siva – as Jurahareswarar – receives abhishekam with hot water… Read More Srikalahasteeswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of the 12 temples connected with the story of Kumbakonam, and where Siva – as Jurahareswarar – receives abhishekam with hot water… Read More Srikalahasteeswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of the 12 temples associated with the story of Kumbakonam, more famous for Rahukala Kali … Read More Ekambareswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of the 12 temples connected with the story of Kumbakonam, and Sage Gautama’s relief from pasu-hatya dosham… Read More Gautameswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
Located south of the Vellar river, this Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam has no known sthala puranam as we know it. The few devotees who worship here, seek knowledge, wealth and relief from illnesses. The Nayanar Sambandar has sung about this temple in another pathigam. But the most interesting aspect of this late Chola temple is the unusual Murugan shrine here. Why is this so different?… Read More Maruthanandeeswarar, Pennakonam, Cuddalore
This temple for Siva as the handsome Sundareswarar is located very close to Kumbakonam. Several celestials are said to have to worshipped here and received many boons and blessings. This Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam finds mention in one of Sundarar’s pathigams. But why is this place called Koranattu Karuppur, and why is this temple more famous as the Petti Kali Amman temple?… Read More Sundareswarar, Koranattu Karuppur, Thanjavur
This temple, located in Patteeswaram near Kumbakonam, is very close to the famous Thenupureeswarar temple of the same town. The architecture here is largely by Pazhvur artisans, and the temple itself is a symbol of a son expressing love for his step-mother. It is also the only known temple of its kind, dedicated to a woman? What are we talking about?… Read More Ramalingaswami, Patteswaram, Thanjavur
The sthala puranam of this temple is about Brahma losing the Vedas to the demons Madhu and Kaitabha, and regaining them with Vishnu’s help, and also regaining his wisdom after worshipping Siva here. This Chola temple from the time of Kulothunga Chola III has some excellent examples of Chola sculptures, including Adhikara Nandi and Siva as Kirata Murti. But how is this temple connected to the annual ritual of Avani Avittam?… Read More Brahma Gnana Pureeswarar, Keezha Korkkai, Thanjavur
This village temple is located very close to the Paadal Petra Sthalam and naga dosham nivritti sthalam at Tirupampuram. Brahma worshipped here, and was relieved of the curse he had suffered for having forgotten his duties of creation. The temple needs more visitors to help it regain its lost prominence, and to support the locals who offer their services to the temple. But why is there a vigraham of a snake next to the Nandi?… Read More Brahmapureeswarar, Pozhakudi, Tiruvarur
This early 13th century Chola temple from the time of Kulothunga Chola III is a village temple in need of funds for construction of a raja gopuram. After centuries, the last kumbhabhishekam was performed in 2014 at this Vata-Aranya-Kshetram, where celestials worshipped here, to be rid of the curses and harassment of the demons Kara and Dooshana. But why is Siva here called Pippilakadeeswarar? … Read More Pippilakadeeswarar, Alathur, Nagapattinam
When the king’s horse trod on an object which started bleeding, the shocked king and his entourage saw a cow come over and pour its milk on the wounded object, which later turned out to be a Siva Lingam. Parvati had Herself come in the form of a cow, and because of her action, She is called Ksheerambigai here. But how is this temple’s other sthala puranam connected to one of ashta Veerattanam temples?… Read More Sivalokanathar, Keeranur, Tiruvarur
Vazhuvur is regarded as the birthplace of Ayyappan. This village temple for Veerabhadrar – often regarded as an aspect of Siva Himself – is closely connected with the Vazhuvur Veeratteswarar temple located nearby, and also to Ayyappan. The temple stands in ruins, but has two very unusual aspects to it, on the depiction of the presiding deity. What are these?… Read More Veerabhadrar, Vazhuvur, Nagapattinam
This rare Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam finds mention in one of Sundarar’s pathigams, and has beautiful stucco images of various puranams and also stories from the Tiruvilaiyadal. It is last of the 1008 temples installed by king Bhageeratha, and is one of the five Pancha Bootha Sthalams around Chennai. The forest of palasa trees here at one time, gives the place its present-day name as well! But why is the Ganga river also called the Bhageerathi, and what is its connection with this temple?… Read More Gangadheeswarar, Purasaiwakkam, Chennai
When Agastyar had to come down south to balance the world during the Siva-Parvati wedding, this is where he received a vision of the celestial spectacle, and also overcame the demons Vatapi and Ilvala. This temple has a combination of both Chola and Pallava influences and architecture. The name of the place is also associated with this story. But why is Amman here named Swarnambigai? … Read More Agasteeswarar, Villivakkam, Chennai
With many interesting sthala puranams, this Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam is a prarthana sthalam for relief from naga dosham, for obtaining clarity of thought and purging one’s negative energies. In the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April), at the time of Meena Lagnam, sounds of celestial instruments are believed to emanate from the temple tank, as Siva is said to go down to Nagaloka at that time to perform his dance for a devotee-king. How did this come about?… Read More Naganathar, Peraiyur, Pudukkottai
When Kamadhenu was delayed in reaching the celestial court, Indra cursed her to be born on Bhulokam. Once here, she started worshipping Siva by bringing water in her ears. On one occasion, a tiger accosted her but she wanted to finish her worship and begged the tiger for permission. She was allowed, and when she came back to offer herself to the tiger, it turned out to be Siva and Parvati, who were testing her! The temple has several sculptural masterpieces, but what is so unique and fascinating about Dakshinamurti at this temple?… Read More Vyaghrapureeswarar, Tiruvengaivasal, Pudukkottai
Arupadai Veedu temple located next to the Satyagireeswarar Siva temple (Tiruparankundram) near Madurai… Read More Subrahmanyar, Tiruparankundram, Madurai
One of the Arupadai Veedu temples of Murugan, located near Madurai, where the beautiful Murugan (Azhagar) lords over the hills
… Read More Murugan, Alagar Koil, Madurai
This Pancha bootha sthalam in Madurai is associated with the celestial elephant Airavata being relieved of the curse he received from Sage Durvasa. This Nayak period temple features beautiful architecture and iconographic depiction of various deities. But what is the interesting reason that this temple, and the adjacent Theppakulam Mariamman temple, do not have gopurams? … Read More Mukteeswarar, Theppakulam, Madurai
This temple finds mention in Paranjothi Munivar’s Tiruvilaiyadal puranam, and is one of the pancha bootha sthalams in Madurai, and also one of the 4 inner garland (ull-avaranam) temples of the famous Meenakshi Amman temple. The child-saint Sambandar is believed to have sung the famous _Mandiramaavadhu Neeru_ (மந்திரமாவது நீறு) pathigam here, which provided relief to the king Koon Pandiyan (who later himself became a Nayanmar). But how did Madurai get the name Aalavaai, and how is that connected to this temple?… Read More Then Tiruaalavaai Sokkanthar, Madurai, Madurai
Regarded as older than the Meenakshi Amman temple, this Kubera-sthalam is said to have been established by Kubera. It is one of the 4 temples making up the Ull-Aavaranam (the inner jewels) to the Meenakshi Amman temple, and also one of the 5 Pancha Bootha Sthalams around Madurai. But how is the story of Kuchela Pandyan and the poet-saint Idaikkar Siddhar, connected to the overnight disappearance of the moolavar of the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple? Read here: … Read More Aadi Chokkanathar, Simmakkal, Madurai
As against the norm of sins being pardoned only in subsequent births, this is a place where Siva forgives one’s sins in their current birth itself, and hence the name of the moolavar here. Surprisingly, Chandikeswarar is given equal prominence as Siva, as he is said to recommend devotees’ prayers to the Lord. One of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams in and around Madurai, this temple has a fascinating sthala puranam, which involves Siva worshipping Himself as a Siva Lingam that He installed! How is this possible?… Read More Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar, Madurai, Madurai
Temple on the banks of the Kollidam river, considered the birthplace of Nandi… Read More Vaidyanathar, Tirumazhapadi, Ariyalur
One of the three temples that constitute the Thanjai Mamani Koil… Read More Neelamegha Perumal, Thanjavur, Thanjavur
Pancha aranya kshetram near Kumbakonam, where Sambandar’s difficulties in reaching the temple are reimagined as part of the boat festival every year… Read More Vilvaranyeswarar, Tirukollampudur, Tiruvarur
Beautiful Chola temple near Mannargudi connected to Sibi Chakravarti, Suryan and Daksha’s yagna… Read More Bhaskareswarar, Parithiappar Koil, Thanjavur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam where Parvati located Siva as the effulgence called Hastavarna Jyoti, and therefore a temple for those under the Hastam nakshatram… Read More Krupakupeswarar, Kuthangudi, Tiruvarur
One of 4 temples where Nagaraja, lord of the Nagas, is said to have worshipped Lord Siva on Mahasivaratri… Read More Seshapureeswarar, Tirupampuram, Tiruvarur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam said to have been originally built by Karikala Chola, with several interesting sthala puranams… Read More Swarnapureeswarar, Aththur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and the birthplace of Nambiyandar Nambi, without whom we would not have the Tevaram!… Read More Soundareswarar, Tirunaaraiyur, Cuddalore
There are 5 places with the suffix “puliyur” where Sage Vyaghrapada was able to witness Siva’s cosmic dance, and this Paadal Petra Sthalam is one of them. The temple is a Guru sthalam, partly the result of Parvati’s inattentiveness, and hence there are 2 Dakshinamurti shrines present here. How did this all come about? … Read More Pranava Vyaghrapureeswar, Omampuliyur, Cuddalore
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam associated with 2 Nayanmars, and where Siva bathed in the tank of the temple for Himself!… Read More Panchavateeswarar, Anandatandavapuram, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam and Tiruppugazh sthalam, this temple is equally famous for Murugan imparting wisdom, and has an interesting sthala puranam concerning Sage Romaharshana… Read More Jambukaranyeswarar, Koonthalur, Thanjavur
Dilapidated but ancient temple in the erstwhile Chola capital of Pazhaiyarai, associated with both the Ramayanam and Mahabharatam… Read More Gopinatha Perumal, Patteeswaram, Thanjavur
A temple in Pazhaiyarai where Sabali (one of the daughters of Kamadhenu) prayed; today in a run-down state but would have once been a beautiful temple.… Read More Kailasanathar, Tirumetrali, Thanjavur
Temple associated with the Mahamaham festival and the story of Kumbakonam, where the nine river goddesses worshipped, and also connected with the Ramayanam… Read More Kasi Viswanathar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam in the heart of Kumbakonam, famed for its Chola architecture… Read More Sarngapani, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
Chief amongst the Kumbakonam Navagraham temples, this is also a Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam, and is closely connected to the Tirumangalakudi Prananatheswarar temple… Read More Viswanathar / Suryan, Suryanar Koil, Thanjavur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam associated with sage Agastyar, and with one of the stories of the wedding of Siva and Parvati… Read More Agasteeswarar, Manakkal Ayyampet, Tiruvarur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam with Ketu as one of the main deities, and also one of the Kumbakonam Navagraham temples… Read More Naganathar, Kilperumpallam, Nagapattinam
Where Indra was absolved of his sins for killing demons and having Sage Dadhichi part with his spine… Read More Aranyeswarar, Keezh Tirukattupalli, Nagapattinam
Maadakoil built by Kochchenga Chola, with the legend of Valian, the bird, who was blessed by Lord Siva with the Mrityunjaya mantram… Read More Manathunai Nathar, Valivalam, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam where sage Agastyar and sage Vitangar worshipped… Read More Agasteeswarar, Vidangalur, Nagapattinam
Considered the unofficial 7th padai Veedu of Murugan, this is one of the temples where Murugan received his Vel from Parvati, before battling Soorapadman… Read More Singaravelar, Sikkal, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Sage Vasishta crafted a Lingam out of butter made from Kamadhenu’s milk, and famous for Murugan as Singaravelar … Read More Navaneetheswarar, Sikkal, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam temple said to have been originally established by the Lakulisa Pasupatas, and connected with Adipaththa Nayanar, where Sage Pundareeka ascended to Kailasam with his mortal body… Read More Kayarohaneswarar, Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva emerged from a wooden peg used to tie cattle, and with something unique about the title to all the lands in the village … Read More Naduthariappar, Koil Kannaappur, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Airavata worshipped Siva and caused a rain that flowed like a river… Read More Airavateswarar, Tirukkottaram, Tiruvarur
Divya Desam temple connected with the story of Arjuna’s thirst being quenched… Read More Parthasarathy Perumal, Tirunangur (Parthanpalli), Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the quelling of Rudra’s anger after Daksha’s yagam… Read More Badrinarayana Perumal, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the story of churning of the ocean… Read More Varadaraja Perumal, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Two temples that are one Divya Desam, associated with the arrival of Tirumangaiazhvar… Read More Vedarajan, Tirunagari, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the Krishna from Dwarka who set up his own garden when Indra refused the parijata flower to Satyabhama… Read More Gopalakrishnan, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the story of how Swetaketu eventually reached Vaikuntam… Read More Vaikuntanathar, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the Ramayanam and the construction of the temple using gold… Read More Perarulalan, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the story of the churning of the ocean… Read More Pallikonda Ranganathar, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the story of Sage Uthangar and the Mahabharatam war… Read More Kudamadu Koothan, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the story of Vyaghrapada and his son Upamanyu being blessed by Vishnu… Read More Purushottama Perumal, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam with several puranams, including Vishnu taking the form of Rishabham (a white bull), after whom Siva is named and worshipped here… Read More Vellaidainatha Swami, Tirukurukavur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva initiated Parvati in the meaning of the Panchakshara mantram… Read More Mullaivana Nathar, Tirumullaivasal, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam connected with Swami Vedanta Desikar, and Hayagreevar, where Vishnu helped the Devas to vanquish the asuras who were helped by Siva… Read More Devanatha Perumal, Tiruvaheendrapuram, Cuddalore
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Agastyar witnessed the celestial wedding of Siva and Parvati, where the Vedas and Navagraham have worshipped; and the avatara sthalam of Murka Nayanar… Read More Vedapureeswarar, Tiruverkadu, Tiruvallur
This is one of 3 Paadal Petra Sthalams on the coastal side of Chennai, one of whose sthala puranams give the nearby locality of Valmiki Nagar, its name. This is where Siva is said to have imparted the science of herbal medicine to Sage Agastyar, and the five Teerthams of the temple are believed to have descended from Siva’s matted locks. The many Lingams in the temple each have their own sthala puranam. The moolavar at this temple used to face east, but why did He turn west (and remain so)? … Read More Marundeeswarar, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai
Divya Desam and a prarthana sthalam for marriage, where Vishnu married every day of the year… Read More Nitya Kalyana Perumal, Tiruvidandhai, Kanchipuram
Unique Divya Desam where Vishnu is seen in sayana kolam but lying on the ground instead of on Adiseshan … Read More Sthala Sayana Perumal, Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu
A temple that has existed across the four yugams, where Vishnu appeared to Sanat Kumara… Read More Koodal Azhagar, Madurai, Madurai
Where the Gods and Devas met before Vishnu’s Narasimhavataram, and a temple closely associated with Ramanujar… Read More Soumya Narayana Perumal, Tiru Koshtiyur, Sivaganga
Huge temple and Paadal Petra Sthalam, featuring three separate worship deity forms of Siva, and connected with the Marudhu brothers… Read More Swarna Kaleeswarar, Kalayar Kovil, Sivaganga
Hill / cave temple abutting the Nindra Narayana Perumal Divya Desam temple, more popular for the Murugan shrine which is considered equivalent to Palani… Read More Karunelli Nathar, Tiruthangal, Virudhunagar
Divya Desam temple where Vishnu attended the wedding of his grandson Aniruddha… Read More Nindra Narayana Perumal, Tiruthangal, Virudhunagar
Divya Desam temple where Chakarathazhvar is given prominence… Read More Kalamegaperumal, Tirumohur, Madurai
Divya Desam temple located inside the Chidambaram Thillai Natarajar temple, this shrine is connected with the origin of the Kaveri river, and also to the Ramayanam… Read More Govindaraja Perumal, Chidambaram, Cuddalore
Considered the Eastern residence of Vishnu, this Divya Desam temple’s puranam is about how the presiding grew hair on His head to uphold a devotee’s word, that the hair on the garland given to the king actually belonged to the Lord! Interestingly, every amavasya day, the deity is taken outside to meet His devotee Vibheeshana. How did this come to be?… Read More Sowriraja Perumal, Tirukannapuram, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Nandi almost stopped Rama from worshipping Siva… Read More Ramanathaswami, Tirukannapuram, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam connected with Siruthondar Nayanar and Vatapi Ganapati… Read More Uthira Pasupateeswarar, Tiruchengattankudi, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and Ashta Veerattanam temple associated with Jalandhara Samharam.… Read More Veeratteswarar, Tiruvirkudi, Tiruvarur
One of 6 sthalams considered equivalent to Kasi, which Indra tried to move to Devalokam but failed… Read More Chayavaneswarar, Sayavanam, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam in Nangur, considered as the venue of Vishnu and Lakshmi’s wedding… Read More Devanayaka Perumal, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Two temples that are one Divya Desam, associated with the arrival of Tirumangaiazhvar… Read More Azhagiya Singa Perumal, Tiruvali, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam built by Mayan, the architect of the asuras, for which Vishnu let go of his conch and discus!… Read More Kolavilli Ramar, Tiruvelliyangudi, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra sthalam connected with the churning of the ocean and also Arjuna from Mahabharatam… Read More Manikka Vannar, Tiruvalaputhur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam and a Pancha Ranga Kshetram, where Tirumangaiazhvar’s singing infuriated a sage!… Read More Parimala Ranganathar, Tiru Indalur, Mayiladuthurai
Temple where Perumal / Vishnu is worshipped as a pillar, considered to have miraculous powers… Read More Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal, Kallankurichi, Ariyalur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of the Tiruvaiyaru Satpa Sthanam temples, where the Lingam receives ghee abhishekam every day… Read More Neiyyaadiappar, Thillaisthanam, Thanjavur
Divya Desam and Pancha Ranga Kshetram where Vishnu is in Sayana kolam… Read More Appakudathan, Koviladi, Thanjavur
Divya Desam temple in a place named after love for the Lord!… Read More Sundararaja Perumal, Anbil, Tiruchirappalli
Tevara Vaippu sthalam where the Lord is said to have curative powers for all ailments… Read More Suddha Ratneswarar, Oottathur, Perambalur
Divya Desam and “Mummurti kshetram” that has shrines for the Hindu Trinity of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma, with their consorts… Read More Purushottama Perumal, Uttamar Koil, Tiruchirappalli
Paadal Petra Sthalam near Trichy, where Lord Siva caused Sundarar to change his song from a complaint to one of praise… Read More Maatruraivaradeeswarar, Tiruvasi, Tiruchirappalli
Large Divya Desam temple, built in the design of a fort, with a swastika-shaped temple tank… Read More Pundarikaksha Perumal, Tiruvellarai, Tiruchirappalli
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam, and a temple where Brahma prayed to Lord Siva as penitence for his ego… Read More Brahmapureeswarar, Tirupattur, Tiruchirappalli
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva resurrected Yama in order to restore balance of life and death on earth… Read More Gneeli Vaneswarar, Tirupaigneeli, Tiruchirappalli
A fascinating Pallava temple in the Chola heartland, with extremely intricate architecture throughout the temple. The complex also houses a separate cave temple for Lord Siva, and a huge inscription on classical music.… Read More Shikanathar, Kudumiyanmalai, Pudukkottai
A small but serene Chola temple near Moovar Koil, in Kodumbalur. Currently maintained by the ASI.
… Read More Muchukundeswarar, Kodumbalur, Tiruchirappalli
A Paadal Petra Sthalam featured in the Tiruvilaiyadal puranam, and where ashes turned to flowers… Read More Pushpavaneswarar, Tirupuvanam, Sivaganga
A sevvaai parikara sthalam considered equivalent to the Vaidyanathar temple at Vaithiswaran Koil, and where Agastyar saw Siva and Parvati in their kalyana kolam
… Read More Uthira Vaidyalingeswarar, Kattur, Kanchipuram
Temple between two hills (which gives the place its name), where Siva, in the form of a shepherd, sated Sambandar’s hunger and thirst … Read More Gnanapureeswarar, Tiruvadisoolam, Kanchipuram
Divya Desam temple associated with Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avataram
… Read More Trivikrama Perumal, Tirukovilur, Viluppuram
Divya Desam temple and Krishan Aranya Kshetram, where a 12-foot tall Perumal is in the garbhagriham, with Sage Markandeya, Prahlada, and a cow and calf representing His sister Parvati… Read More Devadiraja Perumal, Therazhundur, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu sthalam and Ashta Veerattanam temple associated with Gajasamharamurti slaying a rogue elephant… Read More Veeratteswarar, Vazhuvur, Mayiladuthurai
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Agni worshipped Siva to be rid of the curse he received for participating in Daksha’s yagam… Read More Agnipureeswarar, Vanniyur, Tiruvarur
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