This 14th century late medieval Chola temple is actually a jeeva samadhi of the renowned saint Kazhi Sitrambala Nadigal. On top of the saint’s final resting place, a Siva Lingam was consecrated and this came to be a temple proper in its own right. But what is the fascinating story of the saint, how he came to rest here, and why there are 63 Siva Lingams carved in bas relief around the garbhagriham’s outer wall (and has nothing to do with the 63 Nayanmars)? Continue reading Chitrambala Naadeeswarar, Sitharkadu, Mayiladuthurai