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
Tag: Kaveri river
Kasi Viswanathar, Pillaiyampettai, Thanjavur
This dilapidated temple is likely to be from the 8th or 9th century, but is in shambles today. Is there anything you can do to help?… Read More Kasi Viswanathar, Pillaiyampettai, Thanjavur
Naganathar, Peraiyur, Pudukkottai
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
About the Masi Maham and Mahamaham festival of Kumbakonam
The story of and significance behind the Masi Magham festival in Kumbakonam… Read More About the Masi Maham and Mahamaham festival of Kumbakonam
Swarnapureeswarar, Aththur, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam said to have been originally built by Karikala Chola, with several interesting sthala puranams… Read More Swarnapureeswarar, Aththur, Nagapattinam
Kasi Viswanathar, Kumbakonam, 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
Vataranyeswarar, Tiruvalangadu, Tiruvarur
Regarded as being over 5000 years old, this temple is one of the Kanjanoor Sapta Sthanam temples, and is associated with Parvati marrying Siva on earth as well as Appayya Dikshitar… Read More Vataranyeswarar, Tiruvalangadu, Tiruvarur
Naganathar, Kilperumpallam, 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
Soundararaja Perumal, 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
Airavateswarar, Tirukkottaram, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Airavata worshipped Siva and caused a rain that flowed like a river… Read More Airavateswarar, Tirukkottaram, Tiruvarur
Agneeswarar, Kanjanoor, Thanjavur
One of the Kumbakonam Navagraham temples, this one dedicated to Sukran, this is where Siva Himself overcame the guiles of Sukracharya… Read More Agneeswarar, Kanjanoor, Thanjavur
Munivasagaswami, Neithavasal, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam in what appears to be the remnants of the lost city of Kaveripoompattinam… Read More Munivasagaswami, Neithavasal, Nagapattinam
Amritapureeswarar, 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
Govindaraja Perumal, Chidambaram, Cuddalore
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
Vanmutti Perumal, Kozhikuthi, Nagapattinam
800-year old Perumal temple where Vishnu is in an Athi tree… Read More Vanmutti Perumal, Kozhikuthi, Nagapattinam
Tirukoteeswarar, Tirukodikkaa, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam that rids devotees of the fear of death, and where Amman appeared as Vishnu !… Read More Tirukoteeswarar, Tirukodikkaa, Thanjavur
Chayavaneswarar, Sayavanam, Nagapattinam
One of 6 sthalams considered equivalent to Kasi, which Indra tried to move to Devalokam but failed… Read More Chayavaneswarar, Sayavanam, Nagapattinam
Swetaranyeswarar, Tiruvenkadu, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam, considered as Aadi Chidambaram, where Vishnu witnessed Siva’s Ananda tandavam… Read More Swetaranyeswarar, Tiruvenkadu, Nagapattinam
Arul Somanathar, Needur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam near Mayiladuthurai where Indra prayed to be able to witness Siva’s cosmic dance… Read More Arul Somanathar, Needur, Nagapattinam
Parimala Ranganathar, Tiru Indalur, Mayiladuthurai
Divya Desam and a Pancha Ranga Kshetram, where Tirumangaiazhvar’s singing infuriated a sage!… Read More Parimala Ranganathar, Tiru Indalur, Mayiladuthurai
Satyavakeeswarar, Anbil, Tiruchirappalli
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Lord Siva tested Sambandar, and Vinayakar listened to Sambandar’s song… Read More Satyavakeeswarar, Anbil, Tiruchirappalli
Sundararaja Perumal, Anbil, Tiruchirappalli
Brahma’s ego about his powers of creation resulted in his being born on earth, and he prayed here to be relieved of this curse. Siva, as Bhikshatanar, is believed to have worshipped at this temple, on the way from Uttamar Koil to Kandiyur. The temple also has a Mahabharatam connection, and the Pandavas are said to have worshipped at this place. But what unique iconographic representation in the sanctum leads to this being a prarthana sthalam for women seeking to get married? … Read More Sundararaja Perumal, Anbil, Tiruchirappalli
Aadi Mooleswarar, Tirupattrurai, Tiruchirappalli
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva himself guided a king to the buried Lingam, which later was installed in the temple… Read More Aadi Mooleswarar, Tirupattrurai, Tiruchirappalli
Gneeli Vaneswarar, Tirupaigneeli, 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
Paraithurainathar, Tiruparaithurai, Tiruchirappalli
Historically known as Darukavanam, this Paadal Petra Sthalam is the start of one of the stories of Bhikshatanar… Read More Paraithurainathar, Tiruparaithurai, Tiruchirappalli
Devadiraja Perumal, Therazhundur, 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
Vedapureeswarar, 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
Saatchinathar, Tiruppurambayam, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam featuring one of the 64 Tiruvilaiyadals of Siva, and where all three of the Moovar – Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar – have sung at.… Read More Saatchinathar, Tiruppurambayam, Thanjavur
Mahalingeswarar, Tiruvidaimaruthur, Thanjavur
Massive temple complex with a large Lignam, and home of several legends and puranams, this temple is the focal point of what could be considered the largest temple complex ever
… Read More Mahalingeswarar, Tiruvidaimaruthur, Thanjavur
Umamaheswarar, Konerirajapuram, Mayiladuthurai
A Paadal Petra Sthalam near Kumbakonam, famous for the massive idol of Lord Nataraja
… Read More Umamaheswarar, Konerirajapuram, Mayiladuthurai
Uchira Vaneswarar, Tiruvila Nagar, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva showed the way across the river to His devotees including Sambandar… Read More Uchira Vaneswarar, Tiruvila Nagar, Nagapattinam
Kadaimudi Nathar, Keelayur, 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
Uktavedeeswarar, Kuttalam, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of the sites connected with the celestial wedding of Siva and Parvati… Read More Uktavedeeswarar, Kuttalam, Nagapattinam
Kampahareswarar (Sarabeswarar), Tribhuvanam, Thanjavur
Built by Kulothunga Chola III, this massive temple is the last of the Great Living Chola temples, and has a very unique representation of Siva as Sarabeswarar… Read More Kampahareswarar (Sarabeswarar), Tribhuvanam, Thanjavur
Saranatha Perumal, Tirucherai, 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
Akshayanatha Swamy, Tirumandurai, Thanjavur
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
Kapardeeswarar, Thiruvalanchuzhi, 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
Abatsahayeswarar, Tirupazhanam, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of the 7 temples associated with Nandi’s wedding and the Tiruvaiyaru Sapta Sthanam festival… Read More Abatsahayeswarar, Tirupazhanam, Thanjavur
Odhanavaneswarar, Tiruchottruthurai, Thanjavur
Located on the banks of the Kudamurutti river, this is one of the 7 temples that form part of the Tiruvaiyaru Sapta Sthanam festival, which is connected to Nandi’s wedding. The puranam of this Paadal Petra Sthalam near Tiruvaiyaru resonates with the saying சோழ வளநாடு சோறுடைத்து (Cholavalanadu Sorudaiththu). But does the word சோறு (soru) here refer to just food and grains, or something much more than that? … Read More Odhanavaneswarar, Tiruchottruthurai, Thanjavur
Pushpavaneswarar, Mela Tirupoonthuruthi, Thanjavur
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
Magudeswarar, Kodumudi, Erode
Vayu and Adiseshan contested a show of strength, using Mount Meru as a pillar. In this struggle the top of Mount Meru broke in to five pieces (some say seven) and fell in various places as gems, including at Tiruvannamalai, Ratnagiri (Tiruvatpokki), Eengoimalai, and Pothigaimalai. A diamond fell here, and became a swayambhu lingam. Given Adiseshan’s connection, this temple is also well known for clearing nagadosham, and since snakes are tamed with a magudi, Siva here is called Magudeswarar. But what is unique about Vinayakar’s depiction at this temple? … Read More Magudeswarar, Kodumudi, Erode
Sangameswarar, Bhavani, Erode
Paadal Petra Sthalam near Erode, built at the point where the Bhavani and Kaveri rivers meet the mystic underground river called Amutha or Aagaaya Gangai.… Read More Sangameswarar, Bhavani, Erode
Vatapathrasayi, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar
Massive temple dedicated to Vishnu lying on a banyan leaf; also the birthplace of Andal, the Vaishnavite saint… Read More Vatapathrasayi, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar
Vedaranyeswarar, Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam located near the coast in south India, home of the four Vedas… Read More Vedaranyeswarar, Vedaranyam, Nagapattinam
Ranganathar, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli
Considered the Holiest of temples in the Vaishnava sampradayam, this Divya Desam temple in Srirangam is famed for its massive gopurams
… Read More Ranganathar, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli
Thayumana Swami, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli
Paadal Petra Sthalam located inside the Uchchi Pillaiyar hill in Trichy, associated with the legend where Lord Siva played midwife to aid a childbirth… Read More Thayumana Swami, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli
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