Located in the heart of Pudukkottai town is this relatively recent temple for Bhuvaneswari Amman. Devotees regard worshipping here to be extremely beneficial, because of Amman’s extraordinary powers.… Read More Bhuvaneswari Amman, Pudukkottai, Pudukkottai
This Murugan temple on a small hillock, located close to Pudukkottai, is where Murugan came to provide his devotee the opportunity to take his annual Kavadi worship, when the devotee could no longer make the pilgrimage due to old age. The temple was constructed by a Thondaiman king who had the same dream as the devotee, but with a different purpose. But why is the temple built in the overall style of the Palani Murugan temple?… Read More Baladandayuthapani, Kumaran Malai, Pudukkottai
Located on the fringes of Pudukkottai town, Tirukokaranam is a Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam that finds mention in one of Appar’s pathigams. The temple actually houses two sets of deities, but is most popular by the name Brahadambal koil. The sthala puranam here is connected to that of the nearby Tiruvengaivasal Vyaghrapureeswarar temple, and involves Kamadhenu’s penance on earth. But why is Brahadambal Amman considered a talking goddess?… Read More Magizhavaneswarar, Tirukokaranam, Pudukkottai
Located on the fringes of Pudukkottai town, Tirukokaranam is a Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam that finds mention in one of Appar’s pathigams. The temple actually houses two sets of deities, but is most popular by the name Brahadambal koil. The sthala puranam here is connected to that of the nearby Tiruvengaivasal Vyaghrapureeswarar temple, and involves Kamadhenu’s penance on earth. But why is Brahadambal Amman considered a talking goddess?… Read More Gokarneswarar, Tirukokaranam, Pudukkottai
Part of the Narthamalai temples, this place – Kadambar Malai – is in fact home to three separate shrines – two for Siva (one of them a full-fledged temple) and one for Amman; in addition, there is a massive 20×6 foot rock cut inscription from the Chola period. The contributors to this temple come from the Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas, as also the Mutharaiyars. But what is one of the sthala puranams here that is said to give the place its name?… Read More Nagareeswarar, Kadambar Malai, Pudukkottai
Part of the Narthamalai temple complex are these two cave temples – both for Siva. One is called Pazhayili Easwaram while the other is Pathinen Bhoomi Vinnagaram. Why is this place called Vinnagaram (a shortening of Vishnu Nagaram) despite being a Siva temple, and what makes us believe this may be the oldest structure in the area? … Read More Sivan Cave Temple, Narthamalai, Pudukkottai
Possibly a corruption of Nagarathar Malai, Narthamalai is part of a series of hillocks to the north and north-west of Pudukkottai. The temple for Siva as Vijayalaya Chozheeswarar is an architectural masterpiece, and often regarded as the starting point for the now-famed Chola style of architecture, and the place itself is named for the Vijayalaya Chola, who kickstarted the line of imperial Cholas in the mid-9th century. But would it surprise you to know that the origins of this place are not Chola at all? … Read More Vijayalaya Chozheeswaram, Narthamalai, Pudukkottai
This small temple adjoining the Tirumayam fort, serves as the guardian of the southern entrance to the fort. The temple is itself just a shrine for Muneeswarar, worshipped by the locals. But the historical and iconographic wonders lie beyond the Muneeswarar and into the ancient fort beyond. What are these?… Read More Kottai Muneeswarar, Tirumayam, Pudukkottai
This small temple adjoining the Tirumayam fort, serves as the guardian of the northern entrance to the fort. A favourite of both politicians and locals alike, there are virtually no vehicles that do not stope to worship at this powerful shrine. It also rather unusual, in that Bhairavar faces north, as opposed to the usual west.… Read More Kottai Bhairavar, Tirumayam, Pudukkottai
Said to have been built by Manikkavasagar, this temple is very closely connected to the life of the saint. The sthala puranam here is from the life of the saint, who used the king’s treasury to build this temple instead of buying horses as ordered by the king. This temple shares several commonalities with the Chidambaram Natarajar temple, and is famous for its unique and arresting architecture! But why is there no Lingam or murti of Amman in the temple? … Read More Atmanathar, Avudaiyar Kovil, Pudukkottai
Basic information about the temple Moolavar: Kubera Lingam Ambal / Thayar: – Deity: Siva Historical name: Vriksham: Teertham: Agamam: Age (years): Timing: to & to Parikaram: Temple group: – Sung by: Temple set: Navagraham: Nakshatram: City / town: Avudaiyar Kovil District: Pudukkottai Maps from (click): Current location Karaikudi (35 km) Pudukkottai (52 km) Thanjavur (98… Read More Kubera Lingam, Avudaiyar Kovil, Pudukkottai
Avudaiyar Koil / Tiruperunthurai is associated almost exclusively with the Saivite saint Manikkavasagar. But this temple is said to have been in existence even before the time of Manikkavasagar, and being a Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam, finds mention in one of Appar’s pathigams. Some elements of the original Pandya-period temple remain. But how did Paramaswami, an old man, help the 300 villagers of the time regain their lands from a corrupt minister?… Read More Kailasanathar, Vadakkur, Pudukkottai
This completely dilapidated temple, located between Manamelkudi and Avudaiyar Koil, awaits attention from devotees and authorities alike. Fortunately, it is in active worship by the residents of the village and neighbouring villages. Here, Siva remains exposed to the elements He created, as he awaits devotees.… Read More Sridhareswarar, Vellur, Pudukkottai
This completely dilapidated temple, located between Manamelkudi and Avudaiyar Koil, awaits attention from devotees and authorities alike.… Read More Sundararaja Perumal, Vellur, Pudukkottai
This Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam is also the birthplace of Kulachirai Nayanar, one of the 63 Saiva Nayanmars, and minister of Koon Pandyan of Madurai. The place finds mention in the Ramayanam, and gets its name from how the Siva Lingam was originally found here. The temple is located close to the border of what used to traditionally be the Chola and Pandya country. But why is this of significance to the temple’s history?… Read More Jagadeeswarar, Manamelkudi, Pudukkottai
One of 14 Paadal Petra Sthalams in the Pandya region, this temple has existed in all four yugams., and worshipping the 14 Lingams here is regarded as equal to having visited all 14 such temples. The multitude of stories about this temple speaks to its age and hoary past, chiefly about Brahma repenting for his lack of knowledge about the Pranava Mantram. But why is Kali here not viewed directly, but only through the reflection in a mirror?… Read More Vriddhapureeswarar, Tirupunavasal, Pudukkottai
This very interesting temple on the coastal route from Vedaranyam to Rameswaram, features Siva as Ekambareswarar, who self-emanated as a Lingam under a mango tree, much like He did at Kanchipuram. The temple is connected to the Pandya king Sundara Pandyan and the saint Sambandar. But what makes this temple special are an interesting sculpture on the outer wall, and the separate mandapam to the immediate south of the temple. Why are these special?… Read More Ekambareswarar, Sundara Pandiya Pattinam, Pudukkottai
Located on the coastal path from Vedaranyam to Rameswaram are several sites connected with the Ramayanam. This is one of them, and happens to also be one of only three places in Tamil Nadu where the footprints of Rama are said to exist (the other two being a small shrine between Vedaranyam and Kodiakkarai, and at Rameswaram). Also nearby is a dilapidated temple from what appears to be the Chola period.… Read More Ramar Padam, Idayanvayal, Pudukkottai
This late Chola-period temple in the Chettinad heartland, lies in a dilapidated state. Fortunately, some of the murtis have been secured and are housed in a newly constructed brick shrine adjacent to the older temple. Hopefully this place will see the light of restoration soon.… Read More Agasteeswarar, Neivasal, 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
This Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam located very near Pudukottai, is home to several interesting sthala puranams. One of these involves a cache of 3000 golden palm fruit that are believed to be hidden in a cache near the temple, and this also gives the nearby area of Porpanai Kottai its name. Arangulam itself is named for the image of a Siva Lingam (Hara) seen in the temple’s tank (kulam). But what is the fascinating reason behind devotees gifting their children to Brhadambal Amman at this temple?… Read More Arangulanathar, Tiruvarangulam, 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
Originally said to have been built by Siva’s ganas, this Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam finds mention in two pathigams by Appar. When the temple priest’s wedding was cancelled due to a demise in the family, he worshipped here, and the child was miraculously revived. This early Pandya temple features some very interesting architecture. But why are children given up in adoption to Vriddhapureeswarar and Dharmasamvarthini Amman?… Read More Vriddhapureeswarar, Annavasal, Pudukkottai
A fascinating Pallava temple in the Chola heartland, with extremely intricate architecture throughout the temple. The complex also houses a separate cave temple for Lord Siva, and a huge inscription on classical music.… Read More Shikanathar, Kudumiyanmalai, Pudukkottai
Rock temple carved into one side of the Satyagiri hill on which is the Tirumayam fort.… Read More Satya Murti Perumal, Tirumayam, Pudukkottai
Rock temple carved into one side of the Satyagiri hill on which is the Tirumayam fort.… Read More Satya Gireeswarar, Tirumayam, Pudukkottai
TN Temples Project 