Ekambareswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of the 12 temples associated with the story of Kumbakonam, more famous for Rahukala Kali … Read More Ekambareswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
Tag: Marriage
Tirumoolanathar, Perangiyur, Viluppuram
During the Chola period, this place was called Perangur, and over time has come to be called by its present name. The temple boasts of some absolutely spectacular pieces of Chola craftsmanship in the various vigrahams, particularly of Vinayakar and Dakshinamurti. But what is unique about the 11-foot long engraving on the rear of the garbhagriham?… Read More Tirumoolanathar, Perangiyur, Viluppuram
Punugeswarar, Koranad, Mayiladuthurai
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
Vyaghrapureeswarar, Tiruvengaivasal, 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
Sundara Varadaraja Perumal, Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram
This Pancha Varada Kshetram, which finds mention in the Mahabharatam, is one of the temples the Pandavas visited during their period of exile, and they regained the wisdom they had lost when gambling with the Kauravas. The long list of dynasties who ruled the region, have each left their mark on the temple construction. But what is the connection between this temple and the celestial architect Takshaka, in the depiction of Vishnu on three levels at this temple? … Read More Sundara Varadaraja Perumal, Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram
Sukshma Pureeswarar, Cherugudi, Tiruvarur
Where Siva revealed to the world, the secret to a happy marriage! … Read More Sukshma Pureeswarar, Cherugudi, Tiruvarur
Patanjaleeswarar, Kanattampuliyur, 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
Nadanapureeswarar, Thandanthottam, Thanjavur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam where Siva danced the Ananda tandavam for the benefit of sage Agastyar and other sages… Read More Nadanapureeswarar, Thandanthottam, Thanjavur
Parasunathar, Muzhayur, Thanjavur
Temple in Pazhaiyarai where Sabali (one of the daughters of Kamadhenu) prayed… Read More Parasunathar, Muzhayur, Thanjavur
Agasteeswarar, Manakkal Ayyampet, Tiruvarur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam associated with sage Agastyar, and with one of the stories of the wedding of Siva and Parvati… Read More Agasteeswarar, Manakkal Ayyampet, Tiruvarur
Deva Pureeswarar, Thevur, Tiruvarur
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
Sundareswarar, Tiruloki, Thanjavur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam with an absolutely unique representation of Siva and Parvati on Nandi, and also connected with Kama and Rati… Read More Sundareswarar, Tiruloki, Thanjavur
Vedarajan, Tirunagari, Nagapattinam
Two temples that are one Divya Desam, associated with the arrival of Tirumangaiazhvar… Read More Vedarajan, Tirunagari, Nagapattinam
Vedapureeswarar, Tiruverkadu, Tiruvallur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Agastyar witnessed the celestial wedding of Siva and Parvati, where the Vedas and Navagraham have worshipped; and the avatara sthalam of Murka Nayanar… Read More Vedapureeswarar, Tiruverkadu, Tiruvallur
Kailasanathar, Kovalam, Kanchipuram
Lesser-known temple in Kovalam near Chennai, with some very unusual and interesting aspects of architecture, iconography, and worship practices… Read More Kailasanathar, Kovalam, Kanchipuram
Srinivasa Perumal (Annan Koil), Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the story of Tirumangaiazhvar… Read More Srinivasa Perumal (Annan Koil), Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Kalyana Sundareswarar, Velvikudi, 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
Sundararaja Perumal, Anbil, Tiruchirappalli
Divya Desam temple in a place named after love for the Lord!… Read More Sundararaja Perumal, Anbil, Tiruchirappalli
Kodandaramar, Oottathur, Perambalur
Simple but very peaceful temple for Rama, Lakshmana and Sita… Read More Kodandaramar, Oottathur, Perambalur
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
Kasi Viswanathar, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli
Kasi of the south, and an amazing Pandya temple for Siva as Viswanathar of Kasi, with fascinating architecture… Read More Kasi Viswanathar, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli
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
Agnipureeswarar, Vanniyur, Tiruvarur
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
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
Ezhuthari Nathar, Innambur, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva took on the role of an accountant to save His devotee… Read More Ezhuthari Nathar, Innambur, Thanjavur
Mahakalanathar, Tirumakalam, Tiruvarur
A Paadal Petra Sthalam in Tiruvarur district
… Read More Mahakalanathar, Tirumakalam, Tiruvarur
Veezhinatheswarar, Tiruveezhimizhalai, Tiruvarur
A Paadal Petra Sthalam associated with the marriage of Siva with Parvati as Katyayani
… Read More Veezhinatheswarar, Tiruveezhimizhalai, Tiruvarur
Kadaimudi Nathar, Keelayur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva is said to protect devotees till the end of the world… Read More Kadaimudi Nathar, Keelayur, Nagapattinam
Nattrunai Appar, Punjai, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Vinayakar, as a crow, turned to gold after worshipping Lord Siva here… Read More Nattrunai Appar, Punjai, Nagapattinam
Udhvaganathar, Tirumanancheri, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Lord Siva is believed to have married Parvati, on earth… Read More Udhvaganathar, Tirumanancheri, Nagapattinam
Brahmapureeswarar, Karaveeram, Tiruvarur
When celestial women prayed to Parvati that they get married soon, She looked at Siva, who told them to come to this place on earth and worship him. The Lingam they were to worship was guarded by Sage Gautama, who sought to remain here after his mortal life, and so he merged into the sthala vriksham of this temple. But why is a donkey the reason for there being no tall structure between this temple and the sea at Nagore, 30km away?… Read More Brahmapureeswarar, Karaveeram, Tiruvarur
Jagannatha Perumal, Nathan Koil, Kumbakonam
Ancient Siva temple and Paadal Petra Sthalam located very close to Kumbakonam… Read More Jagannatha Perumal, Nathan Koil, Kumbakonam
Chaturanga Vallabha Nathar, Poovanur, Tiruvarur
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
Vijayasanar, Natham, Thoothukudi
One of the nine Nava Tirupati temples and a Divya Desam associated with Chandran, located near Tirunelveli… Read More Vijayasanar, Natham, Thoothukudi
Srinivasa Perumal, Tholaivillimangalam, Thoothukudi
One of the nine Nava Tirupati temples and a Divya Desam associated with Ketu, located near Tirunelveli… Read More Srinivasa Perumal, Tholaivillimangalam, Thoothukudi
Vedapureeswarar, Tiruvedikudi, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and one of the Tiruvaiyaru Sapta Sthanam temples which provided vedic priests for Nandi’s wedding… Read More Vedapureeswarar, Tiruvedikudi, Thanjavur
Satya Murti Perumal, Tirumayam, Pudukkottai
Rock temple carved into one side of the Satyagiri hill on which is the Tirumayam fort.… Read More Satya Murti Perumal, Tirumayam, Pudukkottai
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