Vaidyanathar, Tirumazhapadi, Ariyalur
Temple on the banks of the Kollidam river, considered the birthplace of Nandi… Read More Vaidyanathar, Tirumazhapadi, Ariyalur
Temple on the banks of the Kollidam river, considered the birthplace of Nandi… Read More Vaidyanathar, Tirumazhapadi, Ariyalur
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
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
Paadal Petra Sthalam where sage Patanjali worshipped Siva and was able to witness the Lord’s cosmic dance – the Ananda Tandavam – again!… Read More Patanjaleeswarar, Kanattampuliyur, Cuddalore
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 Kumbakonam Navagraham temples, this one dedicated to Sukran, this is where Siva Himself overcame the guiles of Sukracharya… Read More Agneeswarar, Kanjanoor, Thanjavur
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
Paadal Petra Sthalam near Chidambaram associated with Kiratarjuneeyam… Read More Pasupateeswarar, Tiruvetkalam, Cuddalore
Paadal Petra Sthalam that rids devotees of the fear of death, and where Amman appeared as Vishnu !… Read More Tirukoteeswarar, Tirukodikkaa, Thanjavur
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
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
Paadal Petra Sthalam, considered as Aadi Chidambaram, where Vishnu witnessed Siva’s Ananda tandavam… Read More Swetaranyeswarar, Tiruvenkadu, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam associated with relief to Indra, and also the Vamana Avataram… Read More Kannayiram Udayar, Kurumanakkudi, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and mukti sthalam of Chandesa Nayanar (Chandikeswarar)… Read More Paaluganthanathar, Tiruvaaippaadi, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and avatara sthalam of Chandesa Nayanar, this temple has several puranams associated with it… Read More Sakti Gireeswarar, Senganur, Thanjavur
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
Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of five Pancha-Ka kshetrams, Anjaneyar has worshipped Lord Siva here.… 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
Paadal Petra Sthalam built by the Chola kings, demonstrating the disastrous effects of even playful acts… Read More Alanthuraiyar, Kilapazhuvur, Ariyalur
This Paadal Petra Sthalam near Tiruvaiyaru is considered to be one of the 5 places where Sage Vyaghrapada worshipped Siva. The temple has some unusual depictions and iconography, including Ardhanareeswarar in the rear koshtam of the grabhagriham, and a rather unique Navagraham depiction. But how did the sage Vyaghrapada come to have tiger’s feet? … Read More Vyaghrapureeswarar, Perumpuliyur, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of the Tiruvaiyaru Satpa Sthanam temples, where the Lingam receives ghee abhishekam every day… Read More Neiyyaadiappar, Thillaisthanam, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Lord Siva tested Sambandar, and Vinayakar listened to Sambandar’s song… Read More Satyavakeeswarar, Anbil, Tiruchirappalli
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Lord Siva relieved a sage in deer form, from a curse… Read More Aamravaneswarar, Mandurai, 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
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
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva resurrected Yama in order to restore balance of life and death on earth… Read More Gneeli Vaneswarar, Tirupaigneeli, Tiruchirappalli
Paadal Petra Sthalam near Kumbakonam and Swamimalai, connected to the Mahabharata
… Read More Vijaya Natheswarar, Tiruvijayamangai, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam associated with the origin of the all-night vigil on Maha Sivaratri… Read More Vilvavaneswarar, Tiruvaikaavoor, 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
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva took on the role of an accountant to save His devotee… Read More Ezhuthari Nathar, Innambur, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam connected with the story of the origin of Kumbakonam, where both good deeds and sins multiply 10 million times in impact!… Read More Koteeswarar, Kottaiyur, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva is said to protect devotees till the end of the world… Read More Kadaimudi Nathar, Keelayur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and Ashta veerattam temple connected with burning Kama (Manmadhan)… Read More Veeratteswarar, Korukkai, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Rati worshipped Lord Siva and was able to restore Kama… Read More Abatsahayeswarar, Ponnur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Lord Siva is believed to have married Parvati, on earth… 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 where Lord Siva redeemed the Navagrahams from Brahma’s curse… Read More Prananatheswarar, Tirumangalakudi, Thanjavur
This Tevaram Paadal Petra Sthalam, associated with Rohini Nakshatram and Rishabha Rasi, is believed to have existed in all four yugams. Devotees are blessed by Bhairavar, with knowledge, prosperity, health and eventual salvation. The sthala puranam of the temple also talks about a sinner who was given salvation by Siva, despite Nandi’s remonstrances! The temple and the village are also connected with the philosopher-saint Sridhara Ayyaval. But why are seven strands of hair said to be visible on the rear of the Siva Lingam of this temple? … Read More Yoganandheeswarar, Tiruvisanallur, 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 near Kumbakonam, this Chola temple is the home of two stories of devotion where Siva Himself is said to have come to the rescue of his devotees. Though a sarpa dosha nivritti sthalam, this is where a female naga worshipped, as opposed to the male nagas at most other such places. But how is the concept of Shodashopacharam (worship with 16 different offerings) connected to this temple?… Read More Aruna Jadeswarar, Tirupanandal, Thanjavur
Ancient Siva temple and Paadal Petra Sthalam, located close to Kumbakonam and Tiruvidaimaruthur… Read More Pasupatheeswarar, Pandanallur, 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
Considered the Kailasam of the south, this temple is closely connected with Nandi’s birth life and wedding celebrations… Read More Aiyarappar, Tiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur
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 associated with the legend of Nandanaar, the Saivite saint, for whom Nandi himself moved… Read More Sivalokanathar, Thirupunkur, Mayiladuthurai
Pancha bhoota sthalam associated with water, where Siva and Parvati are present in guru-sishya representation, and a temple connected to the origin of Kochchenga Cholan and maadakoils… Read More Jambukeswarar, Tiruvanaikka, Tiruchirappalli
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
The Holy of Holies for Saivites, where Siva as Natarajar dances the Ananda Tandavam. The temple also houses the Govindaraja Perumal shrine, a Vaishnava Divya Desam.
… Read More Natarajar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore