Once a forest of Punnai trees, this is where Adiseshan – who bore the weight of the earth – worshipped Siva, because of which the Lord gets His name here. This small but beautiful temple is perhaps from the 12th century CE, and has a rare shrine for Idumban. Why is this the case, and what is the other reason related to nagas, because of which this is a prarthana sthalam for those seeking to get married?… Read More Naganathar, Manalmedu, Nagapattinam
Vishnu manifests in this temple as the Sudarshana Chakram itself. The main sthala puranam here is about Suryan’s ego and pride being overcome by the effulgence of the Chakram. Built originally by the Cholas and significantly expanded by the Nayaks, this temple is famed for its pillars that overflow with exquisite Nayak craftsmanship. But what are some of the aspects of this temple that are virtually identical to Siva and Siva worship, and how does this connect to the Veeratteswarar temple at Tiruvirkudi?… Read More Chakrapani, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
One of the 12 temples connected with the story of Kumbakonam, and where Siva – as Jurahareswarar – receives abhishekam with hot water… Read More Srikalahasteeswarar, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
This Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam is where Vishnu got relief from Brahmahathi dosham, after having slain Hiranyakashipu in the Narasimha avataram. The temple’s sthala puranam has several stories associated with the curative powers of Siva here, including a Mahabharatam connection as well, which contribute to the name of the moolavar. The two Ammans at this temple represent the shuddha and para brahmmam aspects. But why is Nandi here perpetually covered in ghee?… Read More Pariya Marundeeswarar, Periya Maruthupatti, Sivaganga
Possibly a Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam, the Lingam here is believed to have been worshipped by Arjuna (from the Mahabharatam) when the gash on the Lingam reminded him of his fight with Siva as a hunter; this is also how Siva here gets His name. Lakshmi worshipped Siva here, to fulfil Her wish of marrying Vishnu. But how are the Nawab of Arcot in particular, and the local Islamic community in general, connected with this temple?… Read More Tiruvetteeswarar, Triplicane, Chennai
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 is one of 4 temples where Nagaraja, lord of the Nagas, is said to have worshipped Lord Siva on Mahasivaratri. Being associated with nagas, nobody in this village is recorded to have died of snakebite! Rahu and Ketu are enshrined together, and depicted as worshipping Lord Siva here. But what is the story due to which devotees worship at this temple to recover lost valuables? … Read More Seshapureeswarar, Tirupampuram, Tiruvarur
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
Chief amongst the Kumbakonam Navagraham temples, this is also a Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam, and is closely connected to the Tirumangalakudi Prananatheswarar temple… Read More Viswanathar / Suryan, Suryanar Koil, Thanjavur
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam with Ketu as one of the main deities, and also one of the Kumbakonam Navagraham temples… Read More Naganathar, Kilperumpallam, Nagapattinam
One of the 11 Nangur Ekadasa Divya Desam temples, Vishnu at this temple is said to have come here from Kanchipuram, and hence shares the same name as Perumal there. The temple’s sthala puranam is connected to the nearby Tirutetriambalam temple, and the churning of the ocean by the devas and asuras. But what does that have to do with the occurrence of eclipses?… Read More Varadaraja Perumal, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Divya Desam temple connected with the story of the churning of the ocean… Read More Pallikonda Ranganathar, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam featuring in one of Appar’s pathingams, and associated with the origin of Rahu and his worship of Siva… Read More Naganathar, Sembangudi, Cuddalore
Regarded as the original Rahu temple, this temple is famous for its Rahukala puja… Read More Nageswaramudayar, Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and Rahu sthalam, closely associated with Sekkizhar, and home to great carvings and architecture
… Read More Nageswarar, Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur
Perumal temple near Kumbakonam associated with the story of Kaliya mardhanam… Read More Veda Nayarana Perumal (Kalinga Narthanar), Oothukadu, Thanjavur
Divya Desam Perumal temple associated with the story of Gajendra moksham… Read More Gajendra Varada Perumal, Kabisthalam, Thanjavur
Nava Kailasam temple on the banks of the Tambraparani, consecrated by Sage Romaharshana; and considered equal to Kalahasti.… Read More Gotha Parameswarar, Kunnathur, Tirunelveli
Eighth in the series of Nava Tirupati temples between Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, this is one of two twin-temples – called the Irattai Tirupati – in the village of Tholaivillimangalam, near Tirunelveli. This is a Rahu sthalam, associated with Nammazhvar, and part of the annual Garuda Sevai utsavam that covers all the Nava Tirupati temples. But what makes this temple inseparable from the other Vishnu temple for Perumal as Aravindalochanar, located just a few meters away? … Read More Srinivasa Perumal, Tholaivillimangalam, Thoothukudi
Nava Kailasam temple located on the banks of the Tambraparani river, and a Ketu sthalam… Read More Kailasanathar, Rajapathy, Thoothukudi
Known for the Aadi Tapas festival celebrating Parvati’s penance, this is where Siva and Vishnu appeared together in a single form… Read More Sankaranarayanar, Sankarankoil, Tirunelveli
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