Some interesting aspects of the Pongal festival, and associated temples
A collection of features and temples associated with the Pongal festival… Read More Some interesting aspects of the Pongal festival, and associated temples
A collection of features and temples associated with the Pongal festival… Read More Some interesting aspects of the Pongal festival, and associated temples
Said to have been built by Kodumbalur Velir, the army general of Sundara Chola, during the 10th century, this temple has several inscriptions about him, and various other important members of Chola royalty of the time. Suryan worships Siva here with his rays, twice a year, for 10 days at a time. But what is the etymology of the names of Siva and Parvati at this place?… Read More Vedapureeswarar, Tirukazhithattai, Thanjavur
After the Tirumeyachur temple, this is possibly the most popular temple in the region, as it is regarded as the birthplace of both Sani and Yama. Worshipping here is considered as good as, or better than, worshipping at any other Sani sthalam, including Tirunallaru. But both Sani and Yama are worshipped here as benevolent deities (anugraha murtis). How and why is this so?… Read More Agasteeswarar, Tirukodiyalur, Tiruvarur
Basic information about the temple Moolavar: Sakalabuvaneswarar Ambal / Thayar: Minnum Mekalambikai Deity: Siva Historical name: Tirumeeyachchur Ilamkovil Vriksham: Vilvam Teertham: Surya Pushkarini Agamam: Age (years): Timing: 7 to 12.30 & 4.30 to 8.30 Parikaram: Temple group: Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kaveri Then Karai) – Sung by: , Appar Temple set: Navagraham: Nakshatram: City / town:… Read More Sakalabuvaneswarar, Tirumeyachur, Tiruvarur
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 Pancha bootha sthalam in Madurai is associated with the celestial elephant Airavata being relieved of the curse he received from Sage Durvasa. This Nayak period temple features beautiful architecture and iconographic depiction of various deities. But what is the interesting reason that this temple, and the adjacent Theppakulam Mariamman temple, do not have gopurams? … Read More Mukteeswarar, Theppakulam, Madurai
An interesting story of how the modern day menu for the Pongal festival came to be what it is… Read More What’s interesting about the Pongal menu
Beautiful Chola temple near Mannargudi connected to Sibi Chakravarti, Suryan and Daksha’s yagna… Read More Bhaskareswarar, Parithiappar Koil, Thanjavur
Where Siva revealed to the world, the secret to a happy marriage! … Read More Sukshma Pureeswarar, Cherugudi, 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
Paadal Petra Sthalam in the heart of Kumbakonam, famed for its Chola architecture… Read More Sarngapani, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
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
A Siva temple where Yama is accorded higest priority and respect; and where you can go only if the Lord wishes so!… Read More Vanchinathar, Srivanchiyam, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam, and Ashta Veerattanam temple associated with Siva culling Daksha’s head… Read More Veeratteswarar, Keelaparasalur, Nagapattinam
Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam with Ketu as one of the main deities, and also one of the Kumbakonam Navagraham temples… Read More Naganathar, Kilperumpallam, Nagapattinam
500-year old west-facing Siva temple, with Amman facing east, making this a Guru sthalam… Read More Mukteeswarar, Manigramam, Nagapattinam
Home of the original maragatha lingam from the legend of Muchununda Chakravarti… Read More Vaaimoornaathar, Tiruvaaimoor, Nagapattinam
A small, simple temple today, this Tevaram Vaippu Sthalam would have been a much larger temple during the time of Sundarar… Read More Brahmapureeswarar, Eesanur, Tiruvarur
Maadakoil built by Kochchenga Chola, with the legend of Valian, the bird, who was blessed by Lord Siva with the Mrityunjaya mantram… Read More Manathunai Nathar, Valivalam, Nagapattinam
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
Paadal Petra Sthalam temple said to have been originally established by the Lakulisa Pasupatas, and connected with Adipaththa Nayanar, where Sage Pundareeka ascended to Kailasam with his mortal body… Read More Kayarohaneswarar, Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Parvati worshipped Siva, and where Siva and Parvati helped grow crops overnight to relive a town affected by famine… Read More Paarvateeswarar, Tiruthelicherry, Karaikal
Divya Desam temple connected with the story of churning of the ocean… Read More Varadaraja Perumal, Tirunangur, Nagapattinam
Two temples that are one Divya Desam, associated with the arrival of Tirumangaiazhvar… Read More Vedarajan, Tirunagari, 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
This is one of 3 Paadal Petra Sthalams on the coastal side of Chennai, one of whose sthala puranams give the nearby locality of Valmiki Nagar, its name. This is where Siva is said to have imparted the science of herbal medicine to Sage Agastyar, and the five Teerthams of the temple are believed to have descended from Siva’s matted locks. The many Lingams in the temple each have their own sthala puranam. The moolavar at this temple used to face east, but why did He turn west (and remain so)? … Read More Marundeeswarar, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva created a whirlpool with his trident, which drained the flood waters; and also the birthplace of Ramana Maharishi… Read More Tirumeninathar, Tiruchuli, Virudhunagar
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 where Siva blessed sage Durvasa to overcome his anger… Read More Nellivananathar, Tirunellikkaa, Tiruvarur
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 built by the Chola kings, demonstrating the disastrous effects of even playful acts… Read More Alanthuraiyar, Kilapazhuvur, Ariyalur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Lord Siva relieved a sage in deer form, from a curse… Read More Aamravaneswarar, Mandurai, Tiruchirappalli
Tevara Vaippu sthalam where the Lord is said to have curative powers for all ailments… Read More Suddha Ratneswarar, Oottathur, Perambalur
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
Large Divya Desam temple, built in the design of a fort, with a swastika-shaped temple tank… Read More Pundarikaksha Perumal, Tiruvellarai, Tiruchirappalli
Birthplace of Sundaramurti Nayanar and a temple that has been in existence in all four yugams… Read More Bhaktajaneswarar, Tirunavalur, Viluppuram
A Paadal Petra Sthalam featured in the Tiruvilaiyadal puranam, and where ashes turned to flowers… Read More Pushpavaneswarar, Tirupuvanam, Sivaganga
One of 5 Siva temples associated with the palm tree, and a Paadal Petra Sthalam
… Read More Panangaateeswarar, Panaiyapuram, Viluppuram
Paadal Petra Sthalam connected to the Siva-Parvati wedding, where Parvati, in the form of a cow, worshipped Siva… Read More Kokileswarar, Tirukozhumbiam, 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 and Rahu sthalam, closely associated with Sekkizhar, and home to great carvings and architecture
… Read More Nageswarar, Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur
Maadakoil built by Kochchenga Cholan, and where Siva protected the devas by changing them into bees… Read More Madhuvaneswarar, Nannilam, Tiruvarur
Birthplace of the Lalita Sahasranamam, and Paadal Petra Sthalam where Siva pacified Parvati
… Read More Meghanathar, Tirumeyachur, Tiruvarur
Pancha aranya kshetram where Lord Siva acted as witness to a man who could not recognise his own wife… Read More Satchinathar, Avalivanallur, Tiruvarur
Paadal Petra Sthalam where Rati worshipped Lord Siva and was able to restore Kama… Read More Abatsahayeswarar, Ponnur, Nagapattinam
Paadal Petra Sthalam and considered a prarthana sthalam for getting rid of debt… Read More Saraparameswarar, Tirucherai, Thanjavur
Paadal Petra Sthalam and Pancha aranya kshetram near Kumbakonam, where the Goddess protects devotees on all things connected with child-bearing… Read More Mullaivana Nathar, Tirukarukavur, Thanjavur
A 108-lingam Siva temple in Papanasam, with a Ramayanam connection… Read More Ramalingaswami, Papanasam, Thanjavur
Ancient Siva temple and Paadal Petra Sthalam, located close to Kumbakonam and Tiruvidaimaruthur… Read More Pasupatheeswarar, Pandanallur, Thanjavur
Ancient Siva temple and Paadal Petra Sthalam located very close to Kumbakonam, and the avatara sthalam of Pugazh Thunai Nayanar… Read More Swarnapureeswarar, Alagaputhur, Thanjavur
Nava Kailasam temple on the banks of the Tambraparani, consecrated by Sage Romaharshana… Read More Papanasanathar, Papanasam, Tirunelveli
Massive temple between Tirunelveli and Ambasamudram, with some excellent architecture, and connected with Sage Romaharshana… Read More Kailasanathar, Brahmadesam, Tirunelveli
One of the nine Nava Tirupati temples and a Divya Desam associated with Suryan, located near Tirunelveli… Read More Vaikuntanatha Perumal, Srivaikundam, Tirunelveli
A Paadal Petra Siva Sthalam and a Sapta Vitanga Sthalam, but more famous and popular as the Sani-dosha parikara sthalam, which is ever-crowded on Saturdays
… Read More Darbaranyeswarar, Tirunallar, Karaikal
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 where Parvati is present but formless, in the sanctum… Read More Nityasundareswarar, Nedunkalam, Tiruchirappalli
Pancha Bootha Sthalam and Paadal Petra Sthalam, associated with the original legend of Siva as the pillar of fire; and home of Ramana Maharishi and His ashram… Read More Arunachaleswarar, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvannamalai
Paadal Petra Sthalam associated with the legend of Nandanaar, the Saivite saint, for whom Nandi himself moved… Read More Sivalokanathar, Thirupunkur, Mayiladuthurai
Considered the Holiest of temples in the Vaishnava sampradayam, this Divya Desam temple in Srirangam is famed for its massive gopurams
… Read More Ranganathar, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli