Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu

Throughout India, there are a large amount of temples dedicated to Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism. The most temples are in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where there are 2,500 Shiva temples of importance. There are several kinds of temples in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram, the foremost of all Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu

Pancha Bootha Sthalangal temples

Main article: Pancha Bhoota Stalam

Pancha Booth Sthalangal are the temples that are the manifestation of the five elements – land, water, air, sky, and fire.

Pancha Bootha Sthalangal

SI.No	Image	Temple	Element	Location
1		Sri Ekambaranathar Temple	Land	Kanchipuram
2		Arunachaleshwarar Temple	Fire	Thiruvannaamalai
3		Jambukeswarar Temple	Water	Trichy
4		Thillai Nataraja Temple	Sky	Chidambaram
5		Srikalahasti Temple	Air	Kalahasthi (in Andhra Pradesh)

Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal

Main article: Pancha Sabhai

Panch Sabhai Sthalangal are the temples where Lord Shiva is believed to have performed the Cosmic Dance.

Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal

SI.No	Image	Temple	Sabhai	Location
1		Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple	Rathinachabai	Thiruvalangadu
2		Chidambaram Temple	Porchabai	Chidambaram
3		Sundareswarar Temple	Vellichabai	Madurai
4		Nellaiappar Temple	Thamirachabai	Tirunelveli
5		Kutralanathar Temple	Chithirachabai	Kutralam

Paadal Petra Sthalangal temples

Main article: Paadal Petra Sthalam

Shiva Temples which are glorified in Tamil Tevaram hymns are the Paadal Petra Sthalangal and have been in existence for more than 1,000 years. References to these temples are found in Tevaram Hymns, composed and authored by the 3 Nayanamars, Thirunavukarasar, Sambandar and Sundarar, who lived between 7th and 9th century CE.

Chennai

SI.No	Image	Temple Name	Location
1		Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple	Thiruvotriyur
2		Kapaleeswarar temple	Thirumayilai
3		Marundeeswarar Temple	Thiruvanmiyur
4		Tiruvaleeswarar temple	Thiruvalithaayam
5		Masilamaniswarar Temple	Thirumullaivayil
6		Vedapureeswarar Temple	Thiruverkadu
7		Vaseeswarar temple	Thirupasoor
8		Idaisuranathar Temple	Thiruidaichuram
9		Marundeeswarar Temple	Thirukachoor
10		Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple	Thiruvaalangadu
11		Kalahasteeswarar Temple	Kalahasthi
12		Undreeshwarar Temple	Thiruvenbakkam
13		Arambeswarar Temple	Ilambayam Kottur
14		Tripuranthaka Swamy Temple	Thiruvirkolam
15		Vedagiriswarar temple	Thirukazhukundram
16		Aksheeswaraswamy Temple, Acharapakkam	Acharapakkam
17		Tirukkandalam Sivanandeswarar Temple	Tirukandalam (Thirukkallil) Tiruvallur

Kancheepuram

SI.No	Image	Temple Name	Location
1		Ekambareswarar Temple	Kancheepuram
2		Maakaraleeswarar Temple	Thirumaagaral
3		Valeeswarar Temple	Kuranganilmuttam
4		Thalapurishwarar Temple/Kirubanathiswarar Temple	Thiruppanangadu
5		Vedapureeswarar Temple	Thiruvothur
6		Manikandeswarar Temple	Thirumarperu
7		Thiruveeral Temple	Thiruveeral
8		Vilwanatheswarar Temple	Tiruvallam

Panrutti

SI. No	Image	Temple Name	Location
1		Veerattaaneswarar Temple	Thiruvadigai
2		Shishta Gurunathar Temple	Thiruthuraiyur

Tindivanam

SI.No	Image	Temple	Location
1		Chandramouleeswarar Temple	Thiruvakkarai
2		Arasileeswarar Temple	Ozhindhiapattu (Thiru Arasili)
3		Magakaleswarar Temple	Irumbai (Irumbaimagaalam)
4		Nandieswarar Temple	Thiruvaamathur
5		Puravaar Panangattoor Temple	Panangattoor (Panayapuram)
6		Srinidheeswarar Temple	Annamputhur

Thirukkoviloor

SI.No	Image	Temple	Location
1		Veerateswarar Temple	Thirukovilur
2		Athulya Nadheswara Temple	Arakandanallur (Araiyani Nalloor)
3		Marudheeswarar Temple	Idaiyaru
4		Sri Krupapureeswarar Temple	Thiruvennainallur

Ulundurpettai

SI.No	Image	Temple Name	Location	Location
1		Sri Bhakthajaneswarar Temple	Thirunavalur	15 km North-East of Ulundurpet
2		Sornakatesvarar Temple	Thiruvennainallur	15 km North-West of Ulundurpet
3		Sivaloganathar Temple	Thirumundeecharam	24 km North-East of Ulundurpet

Chidambaram

S.No.	Image	Temple	Location
1.		Nataraja	center of chidambaram town
2.		Thiruvetkalam	3 km east of chidambaram, inside the Annamalai University campus
3.		Thirunelvayal(Sivapuri)	3 km southeast of Chidambaram, near Thiruvetkalam temple
4.		Thirukkazhippalai	5 km southeast of chidambaram

Kattumannarkoil

S.No.	Image	Temple	Location
1.		Koodalaiyatroor	28 km north of Kattumannarkoil. Reach Sree Mushnam on the south bank of Vellar and proceed east 8 km to reach the temple.
2.		Omampuliyur	6 km south of Kattumannarkoil on the north bank of Kollidam river.
3.		Kaanattumullur	5 km south of Kattumannarkoil on the banks of Kollidam river.
4.		Thirunaaraiyur	6 km northeast of Kattumannarkoil on the north bank of Kollidam river.
5.		Thirukkadamboor	5 km southwest of Kattumannarkoil

Sirkazhi

S.No	Image	Temple	Location
1.		Sirkazhi, Sattainadhar Temple	Center of sirkazhi town
2.		Thirukolakka	2 km west of Sirkazhi
3.		Then Thirumullaivayil	12 km east of Sirkazhi
4.		Magendrapalli	19 km northeast of Sirkazhi on the south bank of Kollidam river. 2 km further is the Bay of Bengal.
5.		Thirunalloor Perumaanam (Achaalpuram)	15 km north of Sirkazhi, on the south bank of Kollidam river.
6.		Thirukarugaavoor (Thirukadaavoor)	6 km east of Sirkazhi
7.		Thillaiyadi (Saranaa Ratsagar Temple)	9 km east of Sirkazhi
8.		Kalikaamoor (Annappanpettai)	3 km south of Then thirumullaivayil temple (which is 12 km east of Sirkazhi)
9.		Thiruppunkoor	3 km west of Vaitheeswaran Koil on the south bank of Kollidam river
10.		Thiruvenkadu	10 km southeast of Sirkazhi
11.		Thirukattupalli	0.5 km from Thiruvenkadu (see above)
12.		Thiruchaaikkaadu	3 km south of Thiruvenkaadu(see above) on the road from Sirkazhi to Poompuhar
13.		Pallavaneecharam	4 km south of Thiruvenkadu
14.		Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple or Vaitheeswaran Koil	7 km south of Sirkhazi

Kumbakonam

Image	Temple	Location
	Adi Kumbeswarar Temple	Kumbakonam town
	Kudanthai Keezhakkottam	East of Kumbakonam bus stand
	Kudanthai Kaaronam	near Porthamarai Kulam in Kumbakonam
	Thirunageswaram	5 km east of Kumbakonam, cauvery south bank
	Thirukkalayanalloor, (sakkottai)	5 km southeast of Kumbakonam, cauvery south bank
	Thiru Sivapuram	2 km northeast of Sakkottai, south bank of Arasalaar
	Thirunaraiyoor	10 km southeast of Kumbakonam, adjacent to Nachiyar Koil, cauvery south bank
	Thirukarukkudi (marudhanthanalloor)	8 km southeast of Kumbakonam, cauvery south bank
	Thiruppenu Perundhurai (Thiruppanthurai)	3 km northeast of nachiyarkoil/thirunaraiyoor, cauvery south bank
	Arisikkarai Puthur (azhagaputhur)	3 km northwest of nachiyarkoil/thirunaraiyur, cauvery south bank
	Thirucherai	5 km south of nachiyar koil, 15 km southeast of Kumbakonam, cauvery south bank
	Kudavasal	15 km from Kumbakonam, cauvery south bank
	Kollampudhur (Thirukkalamboor)	6 km southwest of Kudavasal, cauvery south bank
	Thirukkottaiyur	2 km northwest of kumbakonam, cauvery north bank
	Thiru Innambar	6 km northwest of kumbakonam, cauvery north bank
	Thirupurambayam	9 km northwest of Kumbakonam, 3 km near innambar above, cauvery north bank
	Thiruvalanchuzhi	4 km west of Kumbakonam, cauvery south bank
	Pateeswaram	6 km southwest of Kumbakonam, cauvery south bank
	Thirusathimutram	next to pateeswaram above, cauvery south bank
	Pazhayarai Vadathali	2 km from patteeswaramabove, cauvery south bank

Papanasam

Image	Temple	Location
	Thiruppalaithurai	1 km northeast of papanasam railway station, cauvery south bank
	Thiruvaikavoor	12 km north of Papanasam, south bank of kollidam
	Thiruvisaiyamangai	1 km east of thiruvaikavoor above, cauvery north bank
	Vadakurangaduthurai	4 km north of papanasam, cauvery north bank. not to be mistaken for Then Kurangaduthurai/Aaduthurai
	Thirukkarugavoor	6 km south of papanasan, cauvery south bank
	Thirunalloor	5 km east of papanasam, cauvery south bank
	Avoor Pasupatheeswaram	12 km southeast of Papanasam, cauvery south bank
	Chakkarapalli	10 km west of papanasam, cauvery south bank
	Thiruppullamangai (Pasupathikoil)	3 km from the pasupathikoil railway station (kumbakonam-thanjavur line), cauvery south bank
	Kaduvaaikkarai Puthur (Aandar Koil)	18 km southeast of papanasam, kudavasal-valangaimaan bus route, cauvery south bank
	Thiru Irumboolai, Aalangudi	6 km south of valangaimaan, cauvery south bank

Kaaraikkal

Image	Temple	Location
	Thirunallar	5 km west of Karaikkal on the Kumbakonam road, south bank of cauvery
	Dharumapuram	proceed 2 km on the thirunallaru – karaikal road and take a right to reach temple south bank of cauvery
	Vettakkudi	near Karaikkal, south bank of cauvery
	Thiruthelicheri, Kovilpathu	inside Karaikkal town, Paarvateeswarar Devasthanam, Paadal petra Sthalam, south bank of cauvery

Mannargudi

Image	Temple	Location
	Vennikarumbeeswarar Temple, Thiruvenniyur, Kovilvenni	8 km northwest of Needamangalam on the Tanjore-Tiruvarur road, south bank of cauvery
	Parijatha Vaneswarar Temple, Thirukalar	23 km southeast of Manargudi on the thiruthuraipoondi road, on the bank of ponnukku undaan river, south bank of cauvery
	Chathuranga vallapanathar Temple, Thirupoovanur	8 km north of Mannargudi (on needamangalam road), south bank of cauvery
	Kozhuntheesar Temple, Kottur	15 km southeast of Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Thiruppaereyil, Ogaiperaiyur	16 km northeast of Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Nellivana Nathar, Thirunellikaval	23 km east of Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Manikkavannar Temple, Thirunaattiyathankudi	10 km northeast of Mannargudi is Koothanallur, temple is 12 km southeast of this town, south bank of cauvery
	Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukollikadu	19 km from Mannargudi
	Sri Ramanatha Swamy Temple, Thirurameshwaram	11 km from Mannargudi ( on thiruthuraipoondi road)
	Vendurainathar Temple, Thiruvanduthurai	10 km east of Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Thiruneelakanteswarar Temple, Mannargudi	1 km East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Annamalai Nathar Temple, Mannargudi	2 km West of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, South bank of cauvery
	Kailasa Nathar Temple, Mannargudi	1.5 km East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Meenakshi Sokkanathar Temple, Mannargudi	4 km South East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Jayamkonda Nathar Temple, Mannargudi	2 km North East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Kasivishwa Nathar Temple, Mannargudi East Bank of Haridra Nadhi	2 km North East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Kasivishwa Nathar Temple, Mannargudi	1 km North of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Kamakshi samedha Ekambareswarar Temple, Mannargudi	1 km East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
	Naganatha Swami Temple Paadaaleeswaram, Pamini, Mannargudi (Rahu Kethu Parihara Sthalam)	2 km north of Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery & North Bank of Pamaniyar River

Thiruthuraipoondi

Image	Temple	Location
	Thandalai Neelneri	3 km north of Thiruthuraipoondi on the Tiruvarur road, south bank of cauvery
	Kaichinnam	11 km north of Thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery
	Thiruthengoor	16 km north of Thiruthuraipoondi, 2 km from Thirunellikkaa, south bank of cauvery
	Thirukkollikkadu	15 km north of Thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery
	Thiruchitremam	14 km northeast of Thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery. On the Tiruvarur road take a right at Aalathampadi and drive further skipping 2 bridges across the irrigation canal and cross the third bridge to reach this temple.
	Idumbaavanam	12 km south of Thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery. 2 km West of Karpaganadharkulam below.
	Thirukkadikulam, Karpaganadharkulam, Karpaganarkoil	2 km east of Idumbavanam temple above, south bank of cauvery. Take the muthupet road and drive about 10 km to reach this village (karpaganadhar kulam) on the main road. Then take a left and drive about a kilometre to reach this temple. After visiting this temple drive further west from here to reach idumbavanam above.
	Thiruvuchaathanam, Koviloor	2 km north of Muthupettai, which is southwest of thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery. From the bus stand junction drive north for about 2 km crossing a new by-pass road to reach the temple arch and the temple.

Nagapattinam

Image	Temple	Location
	Thirunaagaikaaronam, Nagapatnam	Nagapatnam town, south bank of cauvery
	Sikkal	5 km west of Nagapattinam, south bank of cauvery
	Vyagrapureeswarar temple, Sirangudi Puliyur	7  km west of Nagapattinam, 3   km from Sikkal; busstop: Ramarmadam
	Thirukkolili, Thirukuvalai	25 km southwest of nagapatnam, 19 km from Tiruvarur
	Tiruvaimoor	3 km south of Thirukuvalai above. south bank of cauvery
	Thirumaraikkadu, Vedaranyam	south of nagapatnam, south of cauvery
	Agathiyanpalli	2 km south of vedaranyam above on the Kodikkarai Road.
	Thirukkodi, Kodikkarai, Point Calimere	9 km south of Thirumaraikkadu above
	vadugoor, Thirukkuvalai	south of Nagapattinam, pheravi maruntheeswarar temple

Namakkal

Image	Temple	Location
	Ardhanareeswarar_temple,_Tiruchengode	Tiruchengode, Namakkal
	Asaladeepeshwarar Temple	Mohanur, Namakkal

Thanjavur

Image	Temple	Location
	Thiruvedikkudi	7 km north of Thanjavur, 1 km from Thirukkandiyur. cauvery south bank
	Thenkudithittai	10 km north of Thanjavur. cauvery south bank
	Parithiniyamam	18 km southeast of Thanjavur, 4 km north of Orathanad, cauvery south bank
	Aradhaiperumpaazhi, Arithuvaramangalam	connected by Thanjavur town bus. cauvery south bank
	Avalivalnallur	3 km west of Aradhaiperumpaazhi above. cauvery south bank
	Akshayabureeshwarar, vilankulam	18 km from [Peravurani]
	Thanjai periya kovil @ Brihadeeswarar Temple	1 km from old bus stand, near sivagangai poonga, 1 km from Thanjavur palace [10.7828° N, 79.1318° E] Thanjavur,

Tiruchirapalli

Image	Temple	Location
	Tiruchiramalai, Tiruchirapalli	on the way up the hill temple – rock fort, center of city. south bank of cauvery
	Mukkeecharam, Urayur	center of Tiruchirapalli city- panchavarneswarar koil, better known as Nachiyar koil bus
	Thirukkarkudi, uyyakondan tirumalai	3 km west of Tiruchirapalli, south bank of cauvery
	Thiruparaithurai	15 km northwest of Tiruchirapalli, on the bus route to Karur, Kulithalai
	Pettavaithalai	24 km northwest from Tiruchirapalli, on the bus route to Karur, Tirupur, Coimbatore
	Thiruvanaikka, Tiruvanaikkaval	3 km north of Tiruchirapalli, on the way to Srirangam, Samayapuram, Ariyalur, Lalgudi
	Tirupatrurai, Tiruppalthurai	12 km northeast of Tiruchirapalli, cauvery north bank
	Thirunedungulam	21 km east of Tiruchirapalli, cauvery south bank
	Thiru Erumbiyur, Thiruverumbur	11 km east of Tiruchirapalli, on the Thanjavur road
	Tirumanthurai	5 km west of Lalgudi, also called vadagarai manthurai, north bank of cauvery
	Thirumazhappadi	28 km south of Ariyalur, north bank of Kollidam
	Thirupazhuvur	10 km south of Ariyalur, cauvery north bank
	Thiruppaingneeli	7 km west of mannachanallur, near Tiruchirapalli, Cauvery north bank.
	Thiruppasila chiramam, Thiruvasi	near and south of Thiruppaingneeli temple above, 12 km from Tiruchirappalli
	Anbil Alanthurai	8 km east of Lalgudi. 20 km from Tiruchirapalli
	Thiru Eengoyimalai, Thiruvinganadhamalai	7 km northwest of Musiri, on the Tiruchirapalli – Salem road, cauvery north bank
	Kadambanthurai, Kulithalai	33 km north west of Tiruchirapalli
	Sapthareeshwarar Temple, Lalgudi	20 km from Tiruchirapalli
	Thiruvatpokki, Rathinagiri	10 km south of Kulithalai, cauvery south bank

Madurai

Image	Temple	Location
	Thiru Alavai, madurai meenakshi amman temple	Madurai city center, very near railway station and town bus stand
	Thiru Aappanoor, Aappudayar Koil	Inside madurai, about 2 km from city center on the north bank of river Vaigai
	Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar shrine	1/2 km Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar Temple, West Masi Street, Madurai
	Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple Parangirinathar shrine	9 km southwest of madurai, part of the famous Muruga's Arupadaiveedu temple
	Edaganathar temple Thiruvedagam	17 km northwest of madurai on the cholavandhaan road on the north bank of Vaigai
	Kodunkundram(piraanmalai)	24 km northwest of Thiruputhur
	Poovananathar Temple, Thirupuvanam	19 km east of Madurai on the banks of Vaigai
	Tiruvadanai(Thiru Aadaanai)	buses available from Madurai, Karaikkudi, Devakottai
	Thiruchuzhial, Thiruchuzhi	48 km south of Madurai
	Thirukkanapper, Kalayar Koil	18 km east of Sivaganga
	Tiruttalinathar temple, Thiruputhur	20 km west of Karaikkudi
	Thiruppunavayil	25 km south Aavudayar Koil
	Shree Kailasha Nathar Temple, Piramanoor	23 km east of Madurai

Dindigul

There are several ancient Shiva temples in and around Dindigul:

Temple	Location
Lord Malligarjuna Swamy Temple, Kondarangi Hills	Kondarangi Keeranur, Dindigul

Tirunelveli

There are several ancient Shiva temples in and around Tirunelveli:

Image	Temple	Location
	Nellaiappar Kanthimathi Amman Koil, Venuvanam, Tharugavanam	Tirunelveli city
	Thirukutralam, Kutralam	Kutralam
	Sankaranayinarkoil	Sankarankovil
	Kasi Viswanathar Koil	Tenkasi
	Ramalingaswamy Koil, Panagudi	54 km from Tirunelveli
	Papavinaseswarar Koil, Papanasam	49 km from Tirunelveli
	Athrinathr Koil, Sivasailam, Tirunelveli dist	60 km from Tirunelveli(via-Poovankurichi if from Ambasamudram)

Thoothukudi - Tuticorin

Ancient Shiva temples in and around Thoothukudi.

Image	Temple	Location main area
	Sri Shenbagavalli Udanurai Poovana Natha Swamy Thirukoil, Kovilpatti	48 km from Sankarankovil,60 km from Tirunelveli
	Etteeshwarar Jothir Nayagi Thirukoil, Ettayapuram	18 km from Kovilpatti
	Sri Kaashi Vishvanatha swamy temple, Sattankulam	40+ KM from Tirunelveli, 39 + KM from Vallioor
	Sankara Rameshwarar Pagampiriyaal Thirukoil, Thoothukudi	Thoothukudi
	Sri AnandhaValli Samedha Kailashanadhar Thirukoil, Pasuvanthanai	30 km from Thoothukudi
	KailashaNadhar Akilandeshwari Thirukoil, Ottapidaram	20 km from Thoothukudi
	meenakshi sudareswarar Koil, vilathikulam, Thoothukudi dist	54 km from Thoothukudi
	Thirumoolanathar Temple, Vallanadu, Thoothukudi dist	15 km from Tirunelveli 40 km from Thoothukudi
	Somanathar & Somasundari Amman Temple, Authoor, Thoothukudi Dist	20 km from Thoothukudi to Thiruchendhur and 17 km from Thiruchendhur to Thoothukudi
	Pathanjali Viyakrapatheeswarar Temple, Seydunganallur, Thoothukudi Dist	15 km from Thirunelveli to Thiruchendhur 42 km from Thiruchendhur to Thirunelveli

Tiruvannamalai

Image	Temple	Location
	Tiruvannamalai	64 km west of Tindivanam
	Purisai	between Cheyyar and Vandavasi
	Thandarampattu	16 km west of Thandarampattu

Rameswaram

Image	Temple	Location
	Rameswaram	Trains and buses from all major towns and cities of India

Ramanathapuram

Image	Temple	Location
	Chenchadainathar Karunakadakshi Temple	Near Sayalkudi

Tamilakam temples

Malai Nadu (Kerala)

Sl. No	Image	Temple	Location
1		Thiruvanchikulam Temple	32 km from Trichur, Kerala, 8 km from Irinjalakuda Railway Station, near Trichur

Tuluva Nadu (Karnataka)

Sl. No	Image	Temple	Location
1		Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna	Gokarna, India, Drive from Hubli, Karnataka

Eezha Nadu (Sri Lanka)

Sl. No	Image	Temple	Location
1		Koneswaram, Thirukonamalai	Near Thampalakamam
2		Ketheeswaram	Near Mannar

Nava Kailasam temples

Main article: Nava Kailasam

These nine Siva temples are located on the river bed of Thamirabarani river near Tirunelveli.

• Papanasam
• Cheran Mahadevi
• Kodaganallur
• Kunnathur
• Murappanadu
• Srivaikuntam
• Thenthiruperai
• Rajapathy
• Senthamangalam

References

• V. T. Ramasubramaniam. Thamizhaga Sivalayangal 308.

External links

• Temples in Tamilnadu – An introduction