This village temple located near Tirumeyachur, close to the Meghanathar-Lalithambigai temple, is poorly visited, and in a sorry condition.… Read More Vastrarajara Perumal, Vastrarajapuram, Nagapattinam
This village temple located near Tirumeyachur, close to the Meghanathar-Lalithambigai temple, is poorly visited, and in a sorry condition.… Read More Varadaraja Perumal, Alathur, Nagapattinam
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
Temple in Peralam, very close to the Tirumeyachur Meghanathar-Lalithambigai temple, where Sage Perala worshipped (and is also therefore the cause of the name of the place). Perhaps the temple’s best kept secret artefact is the ancient rice-storage unit called the Patthayam.… Read More Swayambhunathar, Peralam, Nagapattinam
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
The seven temples associated with Muchukunda Chakravarti and the story of the Maragadha lingam.… Read More Sapta Vitanga Sthalam, maragatha lingam, Muchukunda Chakravarti
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam where sage Agastyar worshipped Siva after vanquishing the demons Vatapi and Ilvala… Read More Agasteeswarar, Kuzhaiyur, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam said to have been originally built by Karikala Chola, with several interesting sthala puranams… Read More Swarnapureeswarar, Aththur, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam associated with 2 Nayanmars, and where Siva bathed in the tank of the temple for Himself!… Read More Panchavateeswarar, Anandatandavapuram, Nagapattinam
A Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam suitable for worship for all Jamna Nakshatrams, connected with the Tripura Samharam and also Kali’s slaying of Mahishasuran… Read More Margasahayeswarar, Moovalur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam, and Ashta Veerattanam temple associated with Siva culling Daksha’s head… Read More Veeratteswarar, Keelaparasalur, Nagapattinam
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
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam with Ketu as one of the main deities, and also one of the Kumbakonam Navagraham temples… Read More Naganathar, Kilperumpallam, Nagapattinam
500-year old west-facing Siva temple, with Amman facing east, making this a Guru sthalam… Read More Mukteeswarar, Manigramam, 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
One of the 5 Pancha Narasimha Kshetrams in the Nangur region, and the birthplace of Tirumangaiazhvar… Read More Ugra Narasimhar, Tirukurayalur, Nagapattinam
Home of the original maragatha lingam from the legend of Muchununda Chakravarti… Read More Vaaimoornaathar, Tiruvaaimoor, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam near Tirukkuvalai, where Sundarar was given a gift of rice by Kundaiyur Kizhar, which was transported to Tiruvarur by Siva’s ganas… Read More Sundareswarar, Kundaiyur, Nagapattinam
A Sapta Vitanga Sthalam and Paadal Petra Sthalam created by Brahma, where Bheema and the Navagrahas have worshipped Lord Siva. There are several temples where one can seek relief from doshas relating to various planets, but this is one temple where one can get relief from the doshas of all planets! Why is that so? … Read More Brahmapureeswarar, Tirukkuvalai, 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
Divya Desam referred to by the epithet “Kaayaa Magizham, Uranga Puli, Theeraa Vazhakku, Ooraa Kinaru – Tirukannangudi”… Read More Loganatha Perumal, Tirukannangudi, 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
Divya Desam that has existed across the four yugams, where Vishnu is worshipped as the resplendent and handsome Soundararaja Perumal… Read More Soundararaja Perumal, Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam in what appears to be the remnants of the lost city of Kaveripoompattinam… Read More Munivasagaswami, Neithavasal, Nagapattinam
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
Often referred to by its ancient name of Tirukavalmpadi, this is one of the Divya Desams located in Tirunangur, near Mayiladuthurai. Vishnu here is considered the equivalent of the Krishna at Dwarka, and is said to have come from there. The temple’s puranam is connected to an ungrateful Indra refusing the Parijatham flower to Satyabhama, despite Krishna vanquishing Narakasuran and bringing back the things he stole from Devalokam. How did this come about? … 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
One of the Ekadasa Rudra Peethams in Nangur, associated with Daksha’s yagam, and connected with the Nangur Ekadasa Divya Desam temples… Read More Amritapureeswarar, 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
Regarded as the original Rahu temple, this temple is famous for its Rahukala puja… Read More Nageswaramudayar, Sirkazhi, 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
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
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
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva ate amongst common men, as one in a thousand… Read More Thanthondreeswarar, Aakkoor, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam connected with Neelanakka Nayanar… Read More Ayavantheeswarar, Seeyathamangai, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Sambandar revived a boy who died from snakebite… Read More Ratnagireeswarar, Marugal, Nagapattinam
Two Paadal Petra Sthalams in a single temple, and mukti sthalam of Appar (Tirunavukkararasar)… Read More Agneeswarar, Tirupugalur, Nagapattinam
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 where Lord Siva acted as a partner in crime and helped a devotee evade taxes!… Read More Tiru Payatrunathar, Tirupayathangudi, Nagapattinam
This puranam of this Kulothunga Chola III era temple is closely linked to that of the nearby Kundala Karneswarar temple, and also a Ramayanam connection. As it is at Sirkazhi, there is a separate shrine for Siva as Sattanathar here. Siva here is believed to have forgiven Indra, but what bad deed (kutram / aparatham) did Hanuman commit, for him to be forgiven here by Aparatha-Kshameswarar? … Read More Kutram Poruttha Naathar, Thalaignaayiru, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Lakshmi worshipped Siva, and where Parasurama and Jamadagni worshipped as penance for the beheading of Renuka… Read More Mahalakshmeeswarar, Tirinindriyur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple where Vishnu, like Siva, wears a crescent moon on His head!… Read More Naanmadhia Perumal, Thalachangadu, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Lord Vishnu is said to have received his conch, Panchajanyam… Read More Sankaaranyeswarar, Thalachangadu, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam associated with Sage Herandar and Pattinathar, and where Vishnu received his sanku, chakram, mace and lotus… Read More Valampura Nathar, Melaperumpallam, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam more famous for the Siva devotee Pattinathar, than for Lord Siva Himself… Read More Pallavaneswarar, Poompuhar, Nagapattinam
One of 6 sthalams considered equivalent to Kasi, which Indra tried to move to Devalokam but failed… Read More Chayavaneswarar, Sayavanam, Nagapattinam
Vaippu Sthalam appearing in one of Appar’s Tiruthandagams, and a place to be rid of effects of sins of ancestors and previous births… Read More Tirumeni Azhagar, Manigramam, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam, considered as Aadi Chidambaram, where Vishnu witnessed Siva’s Ananda tandavam… Read More Swetaranyeswarar, Tiruvenkadu, 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 temple connected with the story of Tirumangaiazhvar… Read More Srinivasa Perumal (Annan Koil), Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
For having desired Ahalya, wife of Sage Gautama, through deceit, the sage cursed Indra to sprout 1000 pustules on his body. This is one of the 3 temples connected with Indra’s curse and his redemption, this Paadal petra sthalam is where the 1000 pustules on his body became 1000 beautiful eyes. This gives Siva his name of Kann-Aayiram-Udaiyar. Ahalya herself was redeemed during the Rama avataram of Vishnu, but how is the name of this place connected with another of Vishnu’s avatarams? … Read More Kannayiram Udayar, Kurumanakkudi, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam with a puranam where even the impossible has happened!… Read More Ponvaithanaathar, Sitthaimur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam temple referenced in Kalki’s Ponniyn Selvan, associated with the legend of the churning of the ocean… Read More Amritakadeswarar (Kodi Kuzhagar), Kodiakadu, Nagapattinam
One of many temples consecrated by Agastyar, where he was given vision of the divine marriage of Siva and Parvati… Read More Agasteeswarar, Agasthiyan Palli, Nagapattinam
When Siva consumed the deadly halahala poison which emerged from the churning of the ocean, Parvati stopped the poison from doing further harm by holding Siva’s neck, which turned the Lord’s neck blue. For this reason, the temple is a prarthana sthalam for women worshipping for longevity of their husbands. This also gives both Siva and Parvati their names here. But why are there 4 more Siva Lingams here, and what is the Mahabharatam connection with the 2 Vinayakars, at this temple? … Read More Neelakanteswarar, Iluppaipattu, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra sthalam connected with the churning of the ocean and also Arjuna from Mahabharatam… Read More Manikka Vannar, Tiruvalaputhur, Nagapattinam
This temple and the nearby Kutram Porutha Nathar temple at Thalaignayiru are both connected to the Ramayanam. At Thalaignayiru, Siva pardoned Anjaneyar after the latter attempted (unsuccessfully) to move with his tail, the Lingam that Sita had made out of sand. As penance, Anjaneyar was told to install a Lingam here at Tirukurakka and worship it. This temple is one of the 5 pancha-kaa kshetrams. But what is extremely interesting about the location of the Navagraham shrine of this temple? … Read More Kundala Karneswarar, Tirukurakkaa, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam near Mayiladuthurai where Indra prayed to be able to witness Siva’s cosmic dance… Read More Arul Somanathar, Needur, Nagapattinam
This is one of the temples connected with Siva’s marriage to Parvati, on earth. The temple’s sthala puranam is also connected to a prince and princess, whose wedding had to be cancelled as the princess suddenly died before the date fixed for the wedding. The prince prayed at this temple, upon which Lord Siva instructed his ganas to revive the princess and get her ready for the wedding. But what is unusual, indeed almost unique, about Ardhanareeswarar at this temple?… Read More Kalyana Sundareswarar, Velvikudi, Nagapattinam
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
Paadal Petra Sthalam temple connected with the game of chokkattan played by Siva and Vishnu, which triggered a set of events resulting in Siva marrying Parvati on Bhulokam… Read More Vedapureeswarar, Therazhundur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and a maadakoil, where Lakshmi worshipped after leaving Vishnu, until they reconciled… Read More Sanbakaranyeswarar, Vaikal, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva showed the way across the river to His devotees including Sambandar… Read More Uchira Vaneswarar, Tiruvila Nagar, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Dakshayani worshipped Lord Siva before immolating herself at Daksha’s yagam… Read More Swarnapureeswarar, Semponnarkoil, Nagapattinam
Brahma appears to be the most penitent character in Hindu mythology, and this is yet another place he worshipped Siva…this time, to guard the world till its end – this gives the moolavar His name at this temple. This Paadal Petra Sthalam is a rather simple temple built in the time of Parantaka Chola, but features some very unique iconography and architecture. Read about those in detail, here.… Read More Kadaimudi Nathar, Keelayur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Vinayakar, as a crow, turned to gold after worshipping Lord Siva here… Read More Nattrunai Appar, Punjai, Nagapattinam
Basic information about the temple Moolavar: Krishnan Ambal / Thayar: x Deity: Perumal Historical name: Vriksham: Teertham: Agamam: Age (years): Timing: to & to Parikaram: Temple group: – Sung by: Temple set: Navagraham: Nakshatram: City / town: Kshetrapalapuram District: Nagapattinam Maps from (click): Current location Mayiladuthurai (5 km) Kumbakonam (34 km) Thiruvarur (44 km) Nagapattinam… Read More Krishnan, Vanathirajapuram, Nagapattinam
Of the many temples in the region, this is regarded as the place where Siva and Parvati were married, on earth. As a nitya kalyana kshetram, Tirukalyanam is performed every day here, and there are so many interesting aspects to the murtis of Siva and Parvati. There are also other stories connected to Kama dahanam, and how a boy born with the head of a tortoise got married after worshipping at this temple. But why is there no Navagraham shrine at this temple?… Read More Udhvaganathar, Tirumanancheri, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva met Parvati on Bhulokam prior to their wedding at Tirumananjeri… Read More Airavateswarar, Mela Tirumanancheri, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of the sites connected with the celestial wedding of Siva and Parvati… Read More Uktavedeeswarar, Kuttalam, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and birthplace of Saivite saint Tirugnanasambandar (Sambanar), and a sthalam with a hoary past and tradition… Read More Brahmmapureswarar, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and a Mayana Koil associated with Siva’s destruction of Brahma’s ego… Read More Brahmmapureeswarar, Tirukkadaiyur, Nagapattinam
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
Paadal petra sthalam as well as one of the Kumbakonam Navagraha Sthalams associated with curative powers of the Lord, and also has a Ramayanam connection… Read More Vaidyanathar, Vaitheeswaran Koil, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam near Mayiladuthurai, known for the legend of Markandeya who overcame Yama through the power of his devotion to Siva, and the birthplace of Abhirami Andadhi… Read More Amritakadeswarar, Tirukadaiyur, Nagapattinam
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