Abhi Mukheswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of the 12 temples connected with the story of Kumbakonam, the Mahamaham tank and the nava-kannikas… Read More Abhi Mukheswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of the 12 temples connected with the story of Kumbakonam, the Mahamaham tank and the nava-kannikas… Read More Abhi Mukheswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of 12 temples connected with the origin of Kumbakonam, and a favoured place of worship by goldsmiths and artisans… Read More Aadi Kambatta Viswanathar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
The temple’s sthala puranam is from the Mahabharatam, but that may well be a later interpolation. However, Sendamangalam is of great importance in Tamil history, effectively being the location of the last battle that the Cholas fought, and lost. But that location has defined the temple and its brilliant architecture as it stands today. How so?… Read More Abatsahayeswarar, Sendamangalam, Viluppuram
Prior to the churning of the ocean, Siva asked Vishnu to take on the Kurma Avataram. The tortoise is called Kachabam in Sanskrit, which gives Siva His name here. The temple also has a Mahabharatam connection, which is one of four stories of how the place gets is name. But what is the fascinating story of how this temple, as it stands today, came into existence?… Read More Kachabeswarar, Eachangudi, Thanjavur
Tiruvamur is the avatara sthalam of Appar (Tirunavukkarasar), probably the most prominent of the Saivite bhakti saints. This temple for Pasupateeswarar is where the saint, and his parents, had worshipped. Built in the late 11th or early 12th century in the time of Kulothunga Chola III, this temple’s sthala puranam is about a cow that offered its milk as reparation for an injury it unknowingly caused, to a buried Siva Lingam. The etymology of Tiruvamur is also connected to this puranam. But why is this temple regarded as a possible Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam?… Read More Pasupateeswarar, Tiruvamur, Cuddalore
This little known and even less visited Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam referenced by Appar, holds the key to the etymology of Egmore as a locality in Chennai. Located in a non-descript cul-de-sac just off the main road, this temple’s large Lingam is over 3 feet tall and 3.5 feet in circumference. The temple also houses both celestial couples – Siva-Parvati as Ardhanareeswarar, and Vishnu-Lakshmi as Lakshmi Narayana Perumal – in adjacent shrines. But why is Siva here also called Jalakandeswarar? … Read More Ardhanareeswarar, Egmore, Chennai
Possibly a Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam, the Lingam here is believed to have been worshipped by Arjuna (from the Mahabharatam) when the gash on the Lingam reminded him of his fight with Siva as a hunter; this is also how Siva here gets His name. Lakshmi worshipped Siva here, to fulfil Her wish of marrying Vishnu. But how are the Nawab of Arcot in particular, and the local Islamic community in general, connected with this temple?… Read More Tiruvetteeswarar, Triplicane, Chennai
Brahma’s carelessness led to the demons Madhu & Kaitabha stealing the Vedas from him, which led to all creation coming to a sudden halt. Vishnu had to fight the demons to get back the Vedas. As penitence, Brahma performed penance here in human form, and so is depicted with only one head, instead of his usual four. But how is this temple connected to Srirangam, the Mughal invasion of the south, and the Vaishnavite saint-philosopher Pillai Lokacharyar?… Read More Veda Narayana Perumal, Kodikulam, Madurai
Temple in Pazhaiyarai where Sabali (one of the daughters of Kamadhenu) prayed… Read More Parasunathar, Muzhayur, Thanjavur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam in a picturesque location, but lying in a sad state of affairs… Read More Masilanathar, Tharangambadi, Nagapattinam
Lesser-known temple in Kovalam near Chennai, with some very unusual and interesting aspects of architecture, iconography, and worship practices… Read More Kailasanathar, Kovalam, Kanchipuram
Divya Desam associated with Vamana Avataram, and the site of Tirumangaiazhvar’s victory over Sambandar in debate… Read More Trivikrama Perumal, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam
800-year old Perumal temple where Vishnu is in an Athi tree… Read More Vanmutti Perumal, Kozhikuthi, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple where Vishnu, like Siva, wears a crescent moon on His head!… Read More Naanmadhia Perumal, Thalachangadu, Nagapattinam
Temple where Lord Siva is Himself present as the Lord of Vaastu Shastra… Read More Bhoominathar, Mannachanallur, Tiruchirappalli
The temple that substituted for the puja at the Srirangam Ranganathar temple during the Islamic invasion of the south in the 14th century CE… Read More Sundararaja Perumal, Palayanallur, Tiruchirappalli
Hill temple where Murugan, as Dandayuthapani, sports a sugarcane instead of His Vel… Read More Bala Dandayuthapani, Chettikulam, Perambalur
Siva temple and Kubera sthalam, featuring exceptional architecture… Read More Ekambareswarar, Chettikulam, Perambalur
Kasi of the south, and an amazing Pandya temple for Siva as Viswanathar of Kasi, with fascinating architecture… Read More Kasi Viswanathar, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli
Siva temple near Srivilliputhur associated with medicine, where Siva appeared as the mother of a pregnant woman and helped her with safe childbirth… Read More Vaidyanathar, Madavar Vilagam, Virudhunagar
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva met Parvati after losing Dakshayani at Daksha’s yagam, and blessed her with the boon of no rebirth… Read More Sarguneswarar, Karuveli, Tiruvarur
Perumal temple in Kumbakonam with a separate shrine for Bramha with his consorts Gayatri and Saraswati
… Read More Veda Narayana Perumal (Brahma koil), Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
This Divya Desam temple and Vaishnava Navagraha Sthalam (for Sani’s son Mandi) near Kumbakonam, is connected with the Story of how Kumbakonam came into existence. The temple is also known as the pancha sara kshetram, as it covers 5 essences (or Sarams) at one go. The Kaveri river was upset at not being regarded as the holiest of rivers, and so performed penance upon Vishnu, who granted her three wishes. What unique iconographic representation is there at this temple, as a result of this event?… Read More Saranatha Perumal, Tirucherai, Thanjavur
A 108-lingam Siva temple in Papanasam, with a Ramayanam connection… Read More Ramalingaswami, Papanasam, Thanjavur
Serene Perumal temple near the banks of the Tambraparani, in Murappanadu, Tirunelveli district… Read More Anjel Srinivasa Perumal, Murappanadu, Tirunelveli
Serene Perumal temple near the banks of the Tambraparani, in Vittalapuram, Tirunelveli district… Read More Panduranga Vittaleswarar, Vittalapuram, Tirunelveli
Nava Kailasam temple located on the banks of the Tambraparani river, and a Budhan sthalam… Read More Kailasanathar, Thenthiruperai, Tirunelveli
Massive temple between Tirunelveli and Ambasamudram, with some excellent architecture, and connected with Sage Romaharshana… Read More Kailasanathar, Brahmadesam, Tirunelveli
Nava Kailasam temple on the banks of the Tambraparani, consecrated by Sage Romaharshana… Read More Ammainathar, Cheran Mahadevi, Tirunelveli
Nava Kailasam temple on the banks of the Tambraparani, consecrated by Sage Romaharshana… Read More Kailasanathar, Kodaganallur, Tirunelveli
Krishnan temple where the Lord holds butter in his hand… Read More Balakrishnan, Thippira Malai, Kanyakumari
Located at the site where Vibhishana sought refuge in Rama, this is the only historical structure that survived the 1964 cyclone that washed away Danushkodi… Read More Dhanushkodi and Kodandaramar Temple
This UNESCO World Heritage Site temple just outside of Kumbakonam, has some stunning examples of Chola temple architecture.… Read More Airavateswarar, Darasuram, Thanjavur