After the Tirumeyachur temple, this is possibly the most popular temple in the region, as it is regarded as the birthplace of both Sani and Yama. Worshipping here is considered as good as, or better than, worshipping at any other Sani sthalam, including Tirunallaru. But both Sani and Yama are worshipped here as benevolent deities (anugraha murtis). How and why is this so?… Read More Agasteeswarar, Tirukodiyalur, Tiruvarur
Basic information about the temple Moolavar: Sakalabuvaneswarar Ambal / Thayar: Minnum Mekalambikai Deity: Siva Historical name: Tirumeeyachchur Ilamkovil Vriksham: Vilvam Teertham: Surya Pushkarini Agamam: Age (years): Timing: 7 to 12.30 & 4.30 to 8.30 Parikaram: Temple group: Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai) – Sung by: , Appar Temple set: Navagraham: Nakshatram: City / town:… Read More Sakalabuvaneswarar, Tirumeyachur, Tiruvarur
This is one of the 7 temples that comprise the Mayiladuthurai Sapta Sthanam set of temples. The sthala puranam here concerns a civet (punugu or musk) cat which worshipped Siva here, and was blessed by the Lord. The temple is also seems to share a connection with the nearby Moovalur temple, with Brahma and Vishnu worshipping Siva. But why is this place called Koranad, and how is it connected to Nesa Nayanar?… Read More Punugeswarar, Koranad, Mayiladuthurai
Exploring with 25 concepts on Vinayakar, , covering Vinayakar lore, Origins, Iconography, the world of celestials, Vinayakar worship, and interesting stories & representations of Vinayakar in temples in Tamil Nadu… Read More Sumukha – 25 thoughts on Vinayakar
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
Perumal temple on the outskirts of Madurai, where Narasimhar’s ferocity was quelled… Read More Yoga Narasimhar, Narasingam, 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
Paadal Petra Sthalam from the medieval Chola period, densely packed with magnificent architecture, in a town that features prominently in Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan… Read More Amritakadeswarar, Mela Kadambur, Cuddalore
Small but beautiful, architecture-filled temple associated with the Mela Kadambur temple; Kadambur finds mention in Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan… Read More Rudrakoteeswarar, Keela Kadambur, Cuddalore
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam where Lakshmi is said to have make Her home, after She came out of the ocean when it was churned by the Devas and asuras… Read More Sivalokanathar, Mamakudi, 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
Home of the original maragatha lingam from the legend of Muchununda Chakravarti… Read More Vaaimoornaathar, Tiruvaaimoor, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where the celestials worshipped Siva to be rid of the sin of Indra killing Vritrasura; and the temple features a very unique depiction of Durga… Read More Deva Pureeswarar, Thevur, Tiruvarur
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 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 Sage Uthangar and the Mahabharatam war… Read More Kudamadu Koothan, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Regarded as the original Rahu temple, this temple is famous for its Rahukala puja… Read More Nageswaramudayar, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva initiated Parvati in the meaning of the Panchakshara mantram… Read More Mullaivana Nathar, Tirumullaivasal, Nagapattinam
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
Paadal Petra Sthalam closely associated with Sambandar, and considered to be a site of Vishnu’s marriage to Lakshmi, blessed by Siva… Read More Sabdapureeswarar, Tirukolakkaa, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Indra located and worshipped a Lingam made of nectar
Kottur is located 15km from Mannargudi and 27km from Tiruvarur.
… Read More Kozhundeeswarar, Kottur, 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
Paadal Petra Sthalam associated with relief to Indra, and also the Vamana Avataram… Read More Kannayiram Udayar, Kurumanakkudi, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam associated with Muchukunda Chakravarti and the maragatha Lingam… Read More Kannayira Nathar, Tirukaravasal, Tiruvarur
The place gets is name from Indra’s Kai-chinnam or handprint that is said to be found on the Siva lingam here. Indra’s deceitful behaviour towards Ahalya resulted in his punishment, penance and eventual expiation. There are three temples associated with this incident, and this is the first of them. But what exactly transpired? … Read More Kaichinneswarar, Kachanam, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam near Mayiladuthurai where Indra prayed to be able to witness Siva’s cosmic dance… Read More Arul Somanathar, Needur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Lord Siva relieved a sage in deer form, from a curse… Read More Aamravaneswarar, Mandurai, Tiruchirappalli
Simple Chola temple near Tirupporur, south of Chennai, associated with Kochchenga Cholan
… Read More Jambukeswarar, Sembakkam, Kanchipuram
Paadal Petra Sthalam connected to the Siva-Parvati wedding, where Parvati, in the form of a cow, worshipped Siva… Read More Kokileswarar, Tirukozhumbiam, Thanjavur
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
Located close to Kumbakonam and Swamimalai, this is the temple Tirumangai Azhvar constructed, funds for which were provided by the Lord himself.
… Read More Andalakkum Aiyan, Adhanoor, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and Rahu sthalam, closely associated with Sekkizhar, and home to great carvings and architecture
… Read More Nageswarar, Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur
Maadakoil built by Kochchenga Cholan, and where Siva protected the devas by changing them into bees… Read More Madhuvaneswarar, Nannilam, Tiruvarur
A Paadal Petra Sthalam in Tiruvarur district
… Read More Mahakalanathar, Tirumakalam, Tiruvarur
Birthplace of the Lalita Sahasranamam, and Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva pacified Parvati
… Read More Meghanathar, Tirumeyachur, Tiruvarur
Steeped in mysticism and spirituality, this is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalams (prithvi sthalam), and a Paadal Petra Sthalam, located in the heart of Tiruvarur, depicting Siva’s manifestation as Thyagarajar or Somaskandar… Read More Thyagarajar, Tiruvarur, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva protected the world and the celestials from the pralayam (great deluge), and one of the earliest examples of sand/mud temples in the evolution of of temple construction… Read More Thoovai Nathar, Tiruvarur, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Dakshayani worshipped Lord Siva before immolating herself at Daksha’s yagam… Read More Swarnapureeswarar, Semponnarkoil, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva met Parvati on Bhulokam prior to their wedding at Tirumananjeri… Read More Airavateswarar, Mela Tirumanancheri, Nagapattinam
A temple favoured for worship on Akshaya Tritiya, and connected the origin of the Tamil phrase “தை பிறந்தால் வழி பிறக்கும்”… Read More Akshayanatha Swamy, Tirumandurai, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam whose prasadam is considered a cure-all, and is of significance to those under Kataka rasi… Read More Karkadeswarar, Tirundudevankudi, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and associated with Siva with flowing locks, also home to Vellai Pillaiyar made of sea froth and the site of Vinayakar’s marriage… Read More Kapardeeswarar, Thiruvalanchuzhi, Thanjavur
Ancient Siva temple and Paadal Petra Sthalam, located close to Kumbakonam and Tiruvidaimaruthur… Read More Pasupatheeswarar, Pandanallur, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam south of Kumbakonam where Siva as a siddhar defeated Parvati at chess, and married her… Read More Chaturanga Vallabha Nathar, Poovanur, Tiruvarur
Ancient Siva temple and Paadal Petra Sthalam, shaped like a chariot, located very close to Kumbakonam… Read More Someswarar, Pazhayarai, Thanjavur
Nava Kailasam temple on the banks of the Tambraparani, consecrated by Sage Romaharshana… Read More Papanasanathar, Papanasam, Tirunelveli
One of the nine Nava Tirupati temples and a Divya Desam associated with Budhan, located near Tirunelveli… Read More Kaisinivendhan Perumal, Tirupuliangudi, Tirunelveli
One of the best known temples in Tamil Nadu, this temple is almost exclusively dedicated to Parvati as Meenakshi Amman, but is also one of the pancha sabhai temples of Siva… Read More Sundareswarar, Madurai, Madurai
A Paadal Petra Siva Sthalam and a Sapta Vitanga Sthalam, but more famous and popular as the Sani-dosha parikara sthalam, which is ever-crowded on Saturdays
… Read More Darbaranyeswarar, Tirunallar, Karaikal
Paadal Petra Sthalam temple created by Indra, and the place where Appar carried Sambandar on the latter’s palanquin… Read More Pushpavaneswarar, Mela Tirupoonthuruthi, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam located on a hillock, where Siva bent himself to receive the Devas’ worship… Read More Erumbeeswarar, Tiruverumbur, Tiruchirappalli
Paadal Petra Sthalam associated with the legend of Nandanaar, the Saivite saint, for whom Nandi himself moved… Read More Sivalokanathar, Thirupunkur, Mayiladuthurai
Paadal Petra Sthalam located near the coast in south India, home of the four Vedas… Read More Vedaranyeswarar, Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam
Dravidian architecture temple that is home to the trinity – Siva, Vishnu and Brahma… Read More Thanumalayan, Suchindram, Kanyakumari
One of the Arupadai Veedu temples of Murugan, located near Thoothukudi, associated with Murugan’s slaying of the demon Surapadman – Soora Samharam
… Read More Subrahmanyar, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi
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