Search Results

சண்முகநாதர் திருக்கோயில், குன்றக்குடி Dedicated to Lord Murugan the popular Tamil deity, this is an ancient temple perched upon a small hillock. The village is sometimes referred to as Kunnakudi, a derivation of Kundrakudi. Kundram means hill in Tamil. Kudi stands for a village. The hill is shaped like a peacock, the Vaakanam or mount of Lord Muruga. Thus it is sometimes referred to as Mayil Malai or Mayuragiri. It is about 40 m in height. It is an easy climb of about 162 steps hewn into the granite rock face. There are many historical and literary references to a river called the Thenaru (River of Honey) which no longer flows around here. Legend says that the peacock, the sacred mount of Lord Murugan had an altercation with Lord Vishnu's mount the Garuda and Lord Brahma's mount the swan and destroyed them. To allay Lord Murugan's wrath for this dastardly act, the peacock did penance at this site. So the hill took the shape of a peacock. It remains a temple that symbolises repentance and redemption. The temple is at least 1200 years old, although it is difficult to date it precisely and the site could be much older. Murugan worship is quite ancient in the Tamil country. It has been built and maintained by Pandian kings in the eighth century. There are inscriptions from later Chola and Pandiyan kings. In the late 18th century the Marudhu Pandiyar brothers have carried out extensive renovation work at this temple. It has a five tier rajagopuram. The steps leading up to the sanctum at the top are covered by a roof, forming a long upward sloping mandapam. The pillars of the mandapam are adorned with granite and stucco statues of donors and benefactors including those of the Marudhu brothers, Periya Marudhu and Chinna Marudhu. The Lord graces at the hilltop sanctum seated on a peacock mount and manifests in his Arumugan form, the Lord with six faces and twelve hands. His consorts Valli and Deivanai are also mounted on peacocks which is special at this temple. Arunagirinathar in his Thirupugazh portrays the Lord thus in the late 14th century: வானா டேழ்நா டும்புகழ் பெற்றிடு தேனா றேசூழ் துங்க மலைப்பதி  மாயூ ராவாழ் குன்றை தழைத்தருள் ...... பெருமாளே. (my Lord thrives here on this hill called Mayuram by the river Thenaru, which is famous in all the surrounding country) Festivals like Thaipusam in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February) and Panguni Uthiram in the month of Panguni (March-April) are celebrated with great fervour. The temple is usually open usually from 6 am to noon and then from 4 pm to 8 pm. Like most active temples it is closed between noon and 4 pm. Kunnakudi or Kundrakudi is also the birthplace of the legendary 20th century carnatic musician and violinist Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. The other famous contemporary personality associated with this village is Kundrakudi Adigal, Saivite acetic, orator and writer who was the pontiff of the Mutt here, the Kundrakudi Tiruvannamalai Adheenam. The Mutt is responsible for the maintenance of this temple. It is located about 80 km or 1.5 hours northeast of Madurai and 12 km or 20 minutes northwest of Karaikudi. It is 40 km or 45 km south of Pudukkottai. We visited in June 2025. We were based in Kanadukathan. Sources: Census of India, 1961: Temples of Madras State Volume 9, Issue 1 Office of the Registrar General . Manager of Publications. Credits: Google Maps

தேனாற்றுநாதர் குடவரை திருக்கோயில், குன்றக்குடி At the base of the hill of Kundrakudi where the renowned Kundrakudi Shanmuganathar temple is situated, there is an ancient cave temple complex dedicated to Lord Sivan. It is not a part of the Murugan temple itself but is located at the same site. Although rock-cut cave temple complexes are usually associated with the Pallavas in the northwest of the Tamil country, the Pandiyan kings also built some extraordinary and exquisite cave temples. This is one such cave temple complex. Others include Thiruparankundram in Madurai, Pillayarpatti, Thirumalapuram and Vettuvan Koil. It is a complex of three cave temples dedicated to Lord Sivan. They are hewn into the granite rock of the hill. They appear to have been built in the 8th century by Pandiyan kings. There is some inscriptional evidence. There are Sivalingams in all three caves. The first two caves are more elaborate than the simpler third one. It is an ASI property and is an inactive temple. It has great archaeological and historical significance. There are beautiful bas-relief sculptures adorning the walls. The cave on the left has one of the earliest depictions of Dwarapalakars in a temple. They are not seen in Pallava cave temples. Their posture is also unique, with one hand on the waist and the other resting on a staff. They are leaning towards the sanctum. The cave on the right end has an echo chamber where if you say "Om" the sacred sound echos forever. As an ASI administered inactive site, it is usually open from about 9 am to 4 pm. There is an employee of the ASI on site when it is open. He will identify himself when he sees that the visitor is interested. The place itself is easy to miss as it is not well signed. The visitor has to enter the street entrance of the hill complex. As they walk towards the steps leading up to the hilltop Murugan shrine, there is tall, old door to the left, between the steps going up and the Palani Andavar shrine further to the left. It has no clear signage. It is located about 80 km or 1.5 hours northeast of Madurai and 12 km or 20 minutes northwest of Karaikudi. It is 40 km or 45 km south of Pudukkottai. We visited in June 2025. We were based in Kanadukathan. Sources: TN Temples Project Some South Indian Icons, Aschwin Lippe. Artibus Asiae Vol. 37, No. 3 (1975) , pp. 169-208 Kalugumalai and Early Pandiyan Rock-cut Shrines C Sivaramamurti, Indian Heritage Series (1961) Credits: Google Maps

ஐந்து இரதங்கள், மகாபலிபுரம் Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Mahabalipuram, this ASI protected monument is a group of rock-cut structures hewn out of a single stone in each case. They are thus called monolithic structures. There are five such main structures and they are called rathas because they are shaped like chariots. They were part of an ambitious project by the Pallava king Narasimhan I or Mamallan who ruled from 630 to 680 CE. It is possible that preliminary work was started during the reign of his father Mahendravarman. The project was not completed due to the death of Narasimhavarman I in 680 CE. It is doubtful whether these structures ever served as places of worship and were never consecrated. So, some would dispute them being seen as temples. I have dedicated a post to this complex in these series because it is a milestone of sorts in the progression of temple building in the Tamil country. Many of the elements seen here were incorporated into later Pallava and Chola temples built in the ensuing centuries. We only have a vague idea how pre-Pallava temples looked like. They have not survived as they were constructed of perishable materials such as wood or brick which was not very durable. Moreover they have been rebuilt as granite temples during the imperial Chola era. Some believe that the Pancha Rathas were built based on concepts present in those long lost temples. Similar rock -cut temples were attempted elsewhere. There is an 8th century, incomplete rock cut temple at Kalugumalai attempted by the Pandian kings. It is also incomplete. The most impressive temple of this type was the later, Kailasanatha temple built by the Rashtrakuta kings at Ellora in present day Maharashtra. The Pancha Rathas are located in Mahabalipuram, 60 km or an hour south of Chennai by car in good traffic. We visited in July 2010. We were were based in Chennai Credits: Google Maps

அதிரணசண்ட பல்லவேஸ்வர குடைவரைக்கோயில், சாளுவன்குப்பம் As you travel south by road from Chennai along the coast, just before you reach Mahabalipuram, you come across a village called Saluvankuppam. On your left, between the East Coast Road and the ocean, lies a popular picnic spot called the Tiger Cave. This site is cared for by the ASI as part of the collection of monuments at or near Mahabalipuram that constitute the UNESCO World Heritage Site there. There is no entry fee except for a small payment for the parking. On weekends, it is thronged by picnic goers. We went on a week day and the place was deserted. This site is home to some interesting monuments and rock inscriptions. The most popular one is the so-called Tiger Cave built by Rajasimhan or Narasimhavarman II in the early 8th century and likely served as an outdoor platform for the king to give audience to his subjects. For some of us, the more interesting monument here is the small and elegant Pallava era cave temple called the Athiranachanda Cave Temple dedicated to Lord Siva. It is believed to have been built by Rajasimhan. Athiranachanda was one of his favourite titles. Although it was built in an era when the Pallavas were already starting to build grand structural temples, it is reminiscent of earlier cave temples built at Mamallapuram itself such as the Mahishasuramardini and Varaha cave temples. The temple is possibly a remnant of a larger structure that has fallen into decay. The cave itself houses a 16 faceted dharalingam. The Pallavas were fond of these types of lingams. There are other classic Pallava elements like a Somaskanda panel in the cave and a small Mahishasuramardini panel on a rock. There is a lingam in the middle of the small stone courtyard in front of the cave that looks a bit incongruous. It likely was housed in a structure that has fallen apart. It is located at Saluvankuppam just north of Mahabalipuram. We visited in August 2017. We were based in Chennai. Credits: Google Maps

கழுகுமலை - வெட்டுவான் கோயிலும் சமணப்பள்ளியும் Kalugumalai is home to a number of historical monuments. This post is about the incomplete monolithic temple built in the 8th century and the ancient Jain Palli on the hilltop. This is similar to the monolithic monuments at Mahabalipuram - the Pancha Rathas carved out of stone in the 7th century. The most impressive temple of this type is the Kailasanatha rock cut monolithic temple in Ellora in present day Maharashtra built by the Rashtrakuta kings in the 8th century. Here at Kalugumalai deep in the south the Pandian kings also attempted a monolithic temple to Sivan in the 8th century. It was never completed. What was achieved looks quite impressive and makes one yearn for what could have been. They call it the Vettuvan Koil (வெட்டுவான் கொயில்). Above the Vettuvan Koil is an ancient Jain Monastery (சமணப்பள்ளி). It was active from the beginning of the first millennium to the 13th century. The rock cut carvings are mostly from the 8th and 9th centuries. A lot of inscriptions. The language is Tamil. Kalugumalai is located about 68 km or 1.5 hours northwest of Thirunelveli, about 20 minutes off the NH44. We visited in August 2019. We were based in Thirunelveli. Credits: Google Maps

முக்தீசுவர் திருக்கோயில், தெப்பக்குளம், மதுரை This relatively small but ancient Sivan temple is located in the city of Madurai on the western side of the beautiful Vandiyur Theppakulam. The Theppakulam is an artificial waterbody or tank built by the great king Thirumalai Nayakkar in the 17th century. It is believed that sand was dug out of this site to aid in the reconstruction of the Meenakshiamman temple. The exact age of the temple site is unknown, but the existing structures are from the Nayakkan era. The temple is also known as the Iravadhiswarar (ஐராவதீசுவரர்) temple, named after Indira's elephant Iravadham (ஐராவதம்) who legend says worshipped Lord Siva here and was relieved of a curse. This temple is one of the 5 Panchabootha Sthalams of Madurai and represents Vayu. It is also one the 4 ullaavaranam or inner-garland temples of the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple. Expansion of the temple was restricted by its location close to the Theppakulam. The temple only has one outer prakaram and lacks a rajagopuram. The vimanam over the mandapam in the middle of the Theppakulam serves as the rajagopuram for this temple and the Mariamman temple nearby. The east-facing temple consists of the sanctum and a relatively large mandapam in front with many columns. The columns have ornate sculptures depicting scenes from the Thiruvilayadal Puranam. The idol of Eka Pada Trimurti depicting Siva, Vishnu and Brahma as a single idol and the Veenadhara Dakshinamurthy are very beautiful and special. The temple is constructed in such a fashion that the rays of the sun fall in the sanctum during the couple of weeks spanning the vernal and autumnal equinoxes in March and September. It is as if the sun is paying homage to the Lord here during those times. The temple lacks the usual Navagraha shrine seen in most temples. Nevertheless it is believed that this temple has a close relationship to the Navagrahas. The construction of the temple as it stands today is credited to Muthu Veerappa Nayakkar, brother of Thirumalai Nayakkar. We visited in June 2025. We were based in Madurai. Photography was difficult as the temple was undergoing renovation and many of the main structures were covered in scaffolding. Source: TN Temples Project Credits: Google Maps

சௌந்தரராஜ பெருமாள் கோயில், தாடிக்கொம்பு, திண்டுக்கல் Renowned for its fine sculptures in granite from the late Vijayanagar and Nayakkan eras, this temple is located just north of Dindigul. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is a beautiful temple and very popular. Although there are some clues in inscriptions that suggest that it might have existed in some form under Pandiyan rule before the 10th century, the structure as it stands today was built during Vijayanagar times and embellished in the Nayakkan era. The village was originally called Thaalapuri due to the abundance of palmyrah trees. It later got the name Thadikombu which means the same in Telugu due to the influx of a large number of Telugu speaking people into the area during the Vijayanagar period. The temple was rebuilt in its current form by the Vijayanagar emperor Achyuta Deva Raya (1529-1542), brother and successor of the great emperor Krishna Deva Raya and his successor and regent Aliya Rama Raya (1484-1565), son-in-law of Krishna Deva Raya. This was in the mid 16th century. Most of the sculptural art is attributed to the reign of the great Nayakkan monarch, Thirumalai Nayakkar of Madurai (1623-1659). The sculptures were commissioned around 1640 in the mid 17th century. This information is from the inscriptions present at the temple. The temple has a 5 level, 90 foot high rajagopuram and is surrounded by granite walls on all four sides. It has two inner prakarams. The prakaram outside the walls is paved to facilitate the movement of the chariot or "ther" during festivals, The Lord is in a standing posture in the sanctum sanctorum. His consort Sundaravalli Thayar is housed in a separate shrine. The main structure is built on a 2 m high plinth and is thus classified as a Madakkoil (மாடக்கோயில்). The temple has a number of mandapams. The Ranga Mandapam contains beautiful sculptures depicting the ten avatharams of Lord Vishnu and are from the Vijayanagar era. The Soundarapandia Mandapam contains 14 life size sculptures in granite that are believed to be some of the best examples of Nayakkan art and craftsmanship. The workmanship is exquisite and reflect a very high level of expertise. There are also seven musical pillars in the Kalyana Mandapam similar to other southern temples of the same era. The temple is located 14 km to the north of Dindigul in Tamil Nadu. It is about a 20 minute drive by car. It is about 80 km north or an easy 90 minute drive along NH 44 from Madurai. We visited in June 2025. We were based in Madurai. Source: Temples of Madras State; P.K Nambiar and K.C Narayana Kurup. Census of India 1961 Govt of India Archives Credits: Google Maps

காளமேகப்பெருமாள் திருக்கோயில், திருமோகூர் As a Divya Desam temple, this is a very important Vishnu temple. It is located close to Madurai. The Divya Desam temples are one of 108 ancient temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu that were celebrated by the Vaishnavite Tamil poet saints, the Azhwar, in the Nalayira Divya Prabantham compiled between the eighth and tenth centuries. As such the temple is more than 1200 years old. Legends tell us that Lord Vishnu appeared here as the divine enchantress Mohini and thus the place came to be known as Thirumohur. There are many legends. One describes Lord Vishnu appearing as Mohini to seduce an Asura who had cast a spell on Lord Siva. In another he appears as Mohini to aid the Devas in a battle with the Asuras. The place finds mention in the ancient Tamil literature of the Sangam era such as the Agananooru and Pathitrupathu. The Tamil epic Silappadikaram also mentions the place. There is an inscription in the temple itself dated to 1259 that identities a man named Kalamegam or Kangeyan who donated a large parcel of land to the temple during the reign of the Later Pandian king Sadaiyavarman Sundarapandian. The temple was later renovated by Nayakkan kings. The temple served as a fortress during the Carnatic Wars. The Marudhu brothers Chinna Marudhu and Periya Marudhu also contributed to this temple and they are commemorated with life-size sculptures in the temple. In modern times the Nattukkottai Chettiar community and the Sourashtra community of Madurai have undertaken renovation work. There is an interesting story about a British army unit that ransacked this temple during the Carnatic Wars and was moving away with the loot when a group of men from the Kallar community waylaid them and retrieved the temple jewels and idols. Due to this the Kallar community is given pride of place during temple festivals. The temple sports a 5 tier rajagopuram. At 2.5 acres, it is a moderate sized temple. The Vimanam here is called a Kethaki Vimanam and is beautiful. It is an east facing temple and the presiding deity is Lord Vishnu in standing posture in panchayudha kolam. There is a separate shrine for Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture and is called the prarthanasayana form and is very special. There is a large Sudharshana Chakra in one corner that has the idol of Chakrathazhwar on one side and Yoga Narasimhar on the other. Chakrathazhwar is depicted with sixteen hands holding a variety of weapons. This is also a rare sculpture found in few other Vishnu temples. Nammazhvar sang thus in his Mangalasasanam on the temple in the 8th century: மற்றிலம் அரண் வான்பெரும் பாழ் தனி முதலா சுற்றும் நீர்படைத் ததன்வழித் தொல்முனி முதலா முற்றும் தேவரோ டுலகுசெய் வாந்திரு மோகூர் சுற்றி நாம்வலஞ் செய்ய நம் துயர்கெடும் கடிதே (By circumambulating (surrendering to) Kalamegha‑Perumal at Thirumogur who is the sole protector (aran) and heaven’s great destroyer of pain and by venerating him along with the celestial beings, all our sufferings will vanish) -From the Nalayira Divya Prabandham The temple is located about 18 km or 30 minutes by car to the northeast of Madurai. We visited in June 2025. We were based in Madurai. Sources: "Enchanting Mokur, The Alvar's Vivigraphy RKK Rajan Indian Place Names Vol 40(89) March 2020 Madurai District Inscriptions Volume1 Page 229 P. Rajendran,V. Vedachalam,C.Santhalingam 2005 (Tamil) Credits: Google Maps

திருமறைநாதர் திருக்கோயில், திருவாதவூர் This ancient Sivan temple is not far from Thirumohur and is in the same area east of Madurai near Melur. More than a thousand years old, it is situated in the town where the great Tamil Saivite poet saint Manickavasagar was born. His birth name was Vathavooran. He was the author of the Thiruvasagam and Thirukovaivayar which constitute the 8th Thirumurai. There is a beautiful 5 tier rajagopuram at the southern entrance. There are two prakarams. The Lord in the form of a Sivalingam is a suyambu lingam (self manifested and not sculpted by humans) and faces east. The intricately designed vimanam looks beautiful. There is an idol of a mythical beast called the Purusha Mirugam at the temple tank that is found only in few other temples. At times of drought, worshipping this idol is believed to restore rainfall. The temple is also visited by devotees who believe that several rheumatological and neurological diseases get cured here. Legend says Lord Saneeswaran was cured of leprosy here by worshipping Lord Sivan. The importance of the temple today is largely due to the fact that Manickavasagar was born in this town in the 9th century. It is said that he contributed to the construction of the temple here. It is considered a Thevara Vaippu Sthalam. Thevara Vaipusthalams are those that find mention in the Thevaram Canon but do not have a pathigam dedicated to them. If that is accurate, then it must have existed in the seventh century. The claim that it is a Vaipusthalam is due to its reference as such in later compilations. Athangudi mentioned in Sambanthar's 2nd Thirumurai, 39th Pathigam, the Kshethra Kovai, is believed by some to be the ancient name for Vathavur. Nevertheless it is an ancient temple and initial construction was likely Pandian. Much of the existing temple structures bear the unmistakable style of the Vijayanagar and Nayakkan eras. There are some unreadable inscriptions from those times at this temple. The temple was extensively renovated in 1999 and 2014 and some inscriptions might have been lost. The temple is located 26 km or 45 minutes east of Madurai. It is close to the small town of Melur. We visited in June 2025. We were based in Madurai. Sources: Project Madurai: Sampanthar Thevaram 2nd Thirumurai Part 1 (Tamil) Veludharan Temple Visits Credits: Google Maps

கற்பக விநாயகர் திருக்கோயில், பிள்ளையார்பட்டி One of the oldest temples to Lord Vinayaka or Ganesha in the Tamil country, this temple is very ancient. Lord Ganesha is fondly referred to as Pillayar in Tamil. It is a cave temple. Its origins are shrouded in the mists of time. Although the temple is best known as a Pillayar temple, like most Saivite temples, Lord Siva is also given great prominence. There are two main sanctums at right angles to each other. They are both accorded equal importance, although the Vinayagar cave-shrine is by far the more popular. The layout of the temple is unique in that there is a cave shrine built into the rock face of the hillock behind the temple and is enclosed within the temple. This is the most ancient part of the temple and faces north with an entrance in that direction with a rajagopuram of its own. It houses a rock-cut, large idol of Lord Ganesha facing north. It also houses other sculptures including Lord Sivan in the form of a lingam called the Thiruveesar. At right angles to it is an east facing structural shrine housing Lord Siva as a lingam and is known as the Marudeeswarar. Here the Lord faces east and there is an entrance and a rajagopuram in that direction also. The age of this temple is somewhat difficult to date exactly. The rock cut idol of Pillayar and other idols in the cave shrine appear to be quite ancient. There is an inscription at the bottom of the idol which is a name of a person and widely believed to be that of the sculptor. A signature of sorts. The Tamil script is that which prevailed in the 2nd to 5th centuries. Based on this scholars have dated the cave to the 4th century. There are other clues dating it to the 7th century. It has been extensively renovated many times since then, constituting many phases of rebuilding. There is a 7th century inscription that names the Ganesha idol as Desi Vinayaka. Some have postulated that the Pallava monarch Narasimhavarman I built the cave temple around 650 CE. Others believe that it is more likely that the early Pandian kings were responsible. Although the Pallavas built similar temples in the northeast, it is unlikely that their direct influence extended this far south. There are also more recent inscriptions on the walls from 1091 and 1238 CE suggesting further expansions in those times. Since the 13th century onwards the Nattukottai Chettiar or Nagarathar community has actively patronised this temple and has been responsible for its further development and upkeep. It is celebrated as one of the nine ancestral temples of this merchant community. The Pillayar idol within the cave is a magnificent bas-relief sculpted on the granite cave wall facing north. It is 6 feet tall and has been covered in glittering gold. Uniquely, the Thumbikkai or trunk of the Lord is curved to the right instead of the common left curvature. Thus he is called Valampuri Vinayagar. Moreover he only has two hands as opposed to the customary four. The other sculptures within the cave are also unusual. There is an enigmatic bas-relief of a figure with two attendants that has variously been described as a royal figure or Lord Shiva. If it is that of a royal patron, the headdress and attire do not fit the usual Pandian or Pallava styles. There is another figure which is asymmetric, leading to speculation that it is an early Ardhanareeswarar (half Sivan-half Parvati) or Harihara (half Sivan- half Vishnu), but the sculpture is not typical of either form. The structural Marudeeswarar shrine is built like a traditional sanctum with a vimanam and is a later addition. The sthala virutcham is the Marudam or Arjuna tree. It is one of four temples in South India where the Marutham tree is celebrated. The others are Thirupudaimaruthur, Thiruvidaimaruthur and Srisailam in Andra Pradesh. Apart from its historical significance the temple is an important pilgrimage site and very popular among devotees. It draws large crowds of worshippers throughout the year. Festivals like the Vinayaka Chathurthi which usually falls in late August or early September are celebrated with great flair. The temple is located in the village of Pillayarpatti, near Kundrakudi and Thirupathur. It is 80 km or 1.5 hours northeast of Madurai, 15 km or 30 minutes northwest of Karaikudi or 45 km or 1 hour south of Pudukkottai. We visited in July 2012 and June 2025. We were based in Kanadukathan. Temple layout Lord Ganesha at Pillayarpatti - Courtesy Temples of Madras State Census 1961 Sources: Nagaswamy, R. “Some Contributions of the Pāṇḍya to South Indian Art.” Artibus Asiae , vol. 27, no. 3, 1965, pp. 265–74. JSTOR , https://doi.org/10.2307/3249074. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025. P.K. Nambiar and K.C. Narayana Kurup (1961), Temples of Madras State, Census of India Volume IX, Part XI-D (vi), Government of India, pp. 196–198 https://archive.org/details/temples-of-tamilnadu/Book-Temples-of-Tamilnadu-Vol-6-Madurai-Ramnad-Census1961-648pp/page/n343/mode/2up Credits: Google Maps

மாணிக்கவாசகர் பிறப்பிடக்கோயில் திருவாதவூர் About 500 meters from the entrance of the ancient Thirumarainathar temple is this temple that is believed to be built on the land where Manickavasagar's house once stood 1100 yers ago . This is where he is believed to have been born and where he grew up. The small temple for Manickavasagar stands in a corner of an enclosed compound. It is a fairly large compound, about 5 acres in area. It is fenced and walled and as such relatively safe from encroachment. A sizeable modern mandapam or hall is at the other corner of the enclosure. It is called the Manickavasagar Arangam. It has a large bronze idol of Lord Nataraja at the front and room for about five hundred or more people. The walls are tastefully decorated with modern murals depicting scenes from his life and verses from the Thiruvasagam. Nicely done. When we visited, a group of middle-aged men and women were at the front doing a continuous recitation of the Thiruvasagam. It was beautiful. It is a daily ritual here There is a lot of empty space that holds immense potential to develop as a fitting tribute to the great saint. It is a place many people visiting Thiruvathavur might overlook. It is well worth a visit and time should be allocated for it. The small temple is closed most of the time. The priests at the nearby Thirumarainathar temple may be able to guide you to someone who will have to open the temple on special request. Although some dispute the exact period of Manickavasagar and claim that he lived in the 3rd century or the 6th century, the conventional wisdom has been that he lived in the 9th century which makes more sense. He is one of the most important of the Saivite poet-saints who revived Tamil Saivism. After centuries of domination by the Jain and Buddhist faiths, there was a movement to revive Tamil Saivism and Tamil Vaishnavism. It is often referred to as the Bhakti Movement and lasted about 3 centuries beginning in the early 7th century. The 63 Nayanmar were the saints on the Saivite side who worked tirelessly and selflessly to advance the faith. They came from all walks of life and included men and women from various castes and communities from Brahmins to the most oppressed sections. They crisscrossed the Tamil lands, visiting ancient temples, reviving and renovating them. They engaged in philosophical debates with Jain and Buddhists monks. They sang devotional songs. They converted monarchs. The 12 Azhwar did the same on the Vaishnavite side. Manickavasagar is one of the most important personalities in this movement and is included in the quartet known as the Saivite Naalvar (The Four) together with Thirugnanasampanthar, Thirunavukkarasar and Sundaramoorthy Nayanar. However, he is not one the 63 Nayanmar like the other three, perhaps because he belonged to a later time. Manickavasagar was born in this village and his birth name was Vathavoorar. He was born into an erudite Amathya Brahmin family and gained great knowledge at a very young age, By the time he was sixteen he joined the service of the Pandian king at Madurai, Varagunavarman II or Arimarthana Pandian (CE 862-885). He soon became the most trusted advisor to the king and was made his chief minister. He was given the title Thennavan Brahmarayan. One day the king sent the young Vathavooran to the eastern coast with a large sum of money to buy imported Arabian war horses. When he reached the town of Thiruperunthurai he fell under the spell of an old man sitting under a Kurunthai tree who revealed divine knowledge to him. The old man was none other than the Lord himself and on his advice Vathavoorar built a temple at Thiruperunthurai using all the money he brought with him. The temple stands to this day and is known as Auvudayar Koil. Soon the day came when the king sent word to return with the horses. Vathavooarar panicked and ran to his guru under the Kurunthai tree who calmed him down and told hom that he would take care of it and that he should return to Madurai. He promised to bring the horses in a few days. Sure enough the horses arrived on the promsed day only to turn into foxes during the night. The angry king got Vathavoorar arrested and imprisoned, The next day there was a great flood and the Vaigai broke its banks and inundated the city of Madurai. Realising his mistake the king set Manickavasagar free and he returned to Thiruperunthurai to start composing the Thiruvasagam. Over the ensuing years he travelled far and wide visiting many temples and completed the Thiruvasagam and the Thirukovayar in Chidambaram where he attained Mukti. Although many temples are mentioned in his works, his favorite temples were Thiruperunthurai, Chidambaram, Thirukazhukundram, Thiruvannamalai and Thiru Uthirakosamangai. It is located about 34 km or 45 minutes to the east of Madurai. It is close to the Thirumarainathar temple at Thiruvathavur and not far from Thirumohur. We visited in June 2025. We were based in Madurai.. Sources: TN Temples Project Shaivam

நெல்லையப்பர் திருக்கோயில் - திருநெல்வேலி Situated in the heart of Thirunelveli town on the north bank of the Thamirabarani river, is the vast and majestic Nellaiappar temple. At 14.5 acres this twin temple complex is slightly larger in area than the Meenakshi - Sundareswarar in Madurai. It lacks the tall gopurams of Madurai but has many of the same features like the massive sculptures that you see there. It also has the famed musical columns. It is a Paadal Petra Sthalam and has been praised in song by all three of the Moovar, Gnanasampanthar, Appar and Suntharar. It has been in existence since the 7th century at least and the two temples were joined together by the impressive Sankili Mandapam in 1647 and the entire complex is enclosed by a wall. Although the Saivite Pandian king Arikesari Nindraseer Nedumaran is credited with the initial construction in the 7th century, many dynasties including Chola and later Pandian kings contributed to it. Much of the architecture that we see today is from the Nayakkan era. Legend says that a poor farmer prayed to Sivan to protect his ready-to-harvest rice paddy from an impending storm and Sivan himself came to his aid and built a fence. That is why it is called Thirunelveli. The Lord here is also called Venunathar because they say this used to be a bamboo forest. It is one the five Pancha Sabas (பஞ்ச சபைகள்) of Lord Nataraja. The Ponnambalam (பொன்னம்பலம்) or Golden Hall is in Chidambaram. The Velliambalam (வெள்ளியம்பலம்) or Hall of Silver is in Madurai. The Rathina Sabai (இரத்தின சபை) or the Hall of Rubies is in Thiruvalankadu where he performed the Rudrathaandavam. The Chitra Sabai (சித்திர சபை) or Hall of Paintings is in Kutralam and the Thaamira Sabai (தாமிர சபை) or Hall of Copper is here in Tirunelveli. The Thaamira Sabai is found in one of the inner precincts. We went on a Friday evening and the temple was busy but in a pleasant way. Groups of people were moving along the precincts singing the Thevarams of our childhood and clapping on their cymbals. In the outer precincts old men and women were telling stories from the Puranas to eager young kids who were enthralled. This is a scene that has played out in these halls for a thousand years or more without a break. We were so wrapt in the atmosphere that I forgot to take a lot of pictures. We visited in August 2019. We were based in Thirunelveli. Credits: Google Maps