140. MULLI

SONACHALAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 8kms from Madurantakam

Shiva: Sonachalaeswarar

Amman: 

Speciality:

There is an Arthamandapam in the temple.

The Nandhi is outside the temple in the open land.

Only Vinayaka is found in the Artha Mandapam.

There is a temple pond.

Only Chandikeswarar is found in the Prahara.

There are many inscriptions around the temple.

History:

An ancient story says that there lived a sage in the village who was a great devotee of lord Shiva. He offered whatever he got for meal to Shiva first and then consumed it. If he could not get anything he ate only fruits which he obtained from the trees nearby. He eats only once a day. It was rainy season and the village was full of floods. The sage could not get anything for food for several days. He could not bear the hunger and he prayed to Lord to give him mukthi. Shiva came in the form of a Sage and brought food and placed it before this sage who was lying in a corner due to hunger. When he realised that some food was kept before him even though he was unable to get up he managed to creep and offer some food to the Lord and perform Nivedhana. He plucked some flowers and performed Pooja. he was exited to provide food to the Lord as Nivedhana. He did not think of consuming it first but his thought was that Shiva was hungry all the days when he could not any food. The Lord was happy and he heard a voice that it was Shiva himself who provided food to his devotee. He consumed the food happily. Lord is always concerned of his devotee who always thinks of him.

139. ARAYAPAKKAM

ARUNADHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 

Shiva: Arunadheeswarar

Amman: Arunambigai

Sthala Viruksham: Vilva tree

Speciality:

The temple was built by Pallavas and later renovated by Cholas.

The temple is more than 1200 years old.

The ancient temple was completely damaged and a new temple is built now.

The temple is taken care off by the youth in the village.

They have taken steps and construction of the temple.

The Mulavar Shiva faces east and Amman faces south.

There is a Jyeshtadevi sannidhi in this temple which denotes the contribution of Cholas to the temple.

The temple was worshipped by Suriyan and therefore Shiva obtained the name Arunadheeswarar.

138. KEEZHAVALAM

THIRUVALEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: Madurantakam to Thirukahukundram road

Shiva: Thiruvaleeswarar

Amman: Thiripurasundhari

Speciality:

Most of the deities are old.

The damaged deities were removed and new deities were installed in that place.

There is an Idol for Sadhasiva Brahmendhrar.

There is a Jyeshta devi Sannidhi. This denotes that the temple must have been built during the Chola period.

Valli Devasena Subramaniya, Vinayaka, Bhairavar and Nandhi are found in the temple.

A Baana Linga is found Submerged in the mud outside the temple.

137. NOCHIYAM

BRAHADHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 5 kms from Perambalur

Shiva: Brahadheeswarar

Amman: Brahadhambigai

Speciality:

The temple was built under the Chola reign.

This is a stone temple.

The temple faces east.

Brahadheeswarar faces east and Brahadhambal faces south.

Though Brahadheeswarar meaning Big Easwarar and Brahadambigai big Easwari the Sannidhis of Vinayaka and Muruga are named Bala Ganesha and Bala Murugar.

The Pancha Koshta deities are present in the temple.

The Kalabhairvar and Navagraha Sannidhis are also found.

136. KURUMBALUR

PANCHA NADHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Ditance: 5kms from Perambalur

Shiva: Panchanadheeswarar

Amman: Dharmasamvarthini

Speciality:

This temple was built by King Virada Rajan in 10th Century.

The temple has a 5 tiered Rajagopuram.

The temple faces east.

There is a large temple tank near the temple.

Shiva Panchanadheeswarar faces east and Amman Dharmasamvarthini faces south.

The Pancha Koshta Deities and the Prahara deities present in Shiva temple are present here also.

There are Sannidhis for Kasi Viswanadhar and Visalakshi and 63 Nayanmars.

The Shiva was also worshipped by Arjuna.

The Linga is a Suyambhu and the King installed the Linga and named it Panchanadheeswarar.

Since Vyakrapadhar lived here the place was called Kurumpuliyur now called Kurumbalur.

History:

King Viradarajan was a chieftain under Chola King. He ruled this place in 10th Century. He regularly visited the Thiruvaiyaru Ayyarappar temple. Once there was heavy rain and flood in the Kollidam river. He could not go to Thiruvaiyaaru as he could not cross the river. Sage Vyakrapadhar was also called Kurumpuli Munivar lived here at that time. The king approached the sage and shared his grief of not abole to go to Thiruvaiyaaru. Sage Vyakrapadhar suggested the King to build a temple for his favourite Lord Ayyarappar also called Panchanadheeswarar. Accordng to his advice the King built this temple.

Sage Vyakrapadhar stayed in an Ashram in this area, he visited many temple around this area. Another place which was named after him nearby is Perumpuliyur now called Perambalur.

135. S. KANNANUR

BHOJEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 2kms from Samayapuram

Shiva: Bhojeeswarar

Speciality:

The name of the place is commonly referred as Samayapuram but the place where the temple is exactly situated is called as S. Kannanur Kuppam.

Hoysala King Veerasomeswara built this temple of Granite stone in Chola style when his capital was Kannanur Kottam in Chola country. He named the Shiva as Posaleeswarar, Hoysaleeswarar and Bhojeeswaramudaiyar. 

The inscriptions of Veera Someswara Hoysala which is found in the northern wall of the third Prahara of the Jambukeswarar temple of Jambukeswaram (Thiruvanaikka) mentions that he consecrated the Bojeeswarar temple and made a grant of Paddy derived from the villages of Narasingamangalam, Kannanur, Ottanur, Sengavoor and others in Rajaraja Valanaadu.

All the Prahara and parivara deities found normally in a Shiva temple are found here.

134. PULIPAKKAM

VYAKRAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 3kms from Chengulpet

Shiva: Vyakrapureeswarar

Amman: Mangalyam Kaatha Narayini

Speciality:

There are Sannidhis fro Vinayaka, Muruga, Chandikeswarar, Bhairavar, Navagrahas, Kaali, Gubera Lingam, Vyakrapadhar and Pathanjali. 

We also find 2 more lingas on the way to the temple.

Many sidhdhars are believed to wander on the mountains even today.

The 2 lingas on the way to the temple on the hill are believed to be installed by the Sidhdhars.

People who worship this temple are relieved from all problems in life and serious diseases.

There is a Rahava Swamigal Mutt near the temple.

History:

Sage Vyakrapadha stayed on the hill in a small hut and performed penance as the place was full of trees and suitable for his penance. Since he worshipped this Linga the Shiva is called as Vyakrapureeswarar. During the days of his penance Sage Pathanjali also came here and stayed for a certain period of time and worshipped the Linga. The Gubera Linga is believed to be worshipped by Gubera.

133. KAYARAMBEDU

VAHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: from Guduvanjery

Shiva: Vaheeswarar

Amman: Karpagambal

Speciality:

This temple was built during the Chola period.

King Rajaraja Chola I has offered many grants to the temple.

Both Shiva and Amman faces east.

The main entrance of the temple faces south.

The Vimanam of the temple is in the Gajaprishta form.

There is Nandhi Mandapam and Dwajasthambam in the temple.

The Pancha Koshta deities are found in the temple.

There is a temple pond opposite to the temple.

There is also an Neerazhi Mandapam.

There are Sannidhis for Kanni Moola Ganapathy, Arumugar with consorts, Ayyappan and Bhairavar.

In ancient days there was a big Thepakulam but due to population increase the pond became small.

132. SHRI MUSHNAM

NITHYAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: from Virudhachalam

Shiva: Nithyaeswarar

Amman: Nitheswari

Speciality:

This temple was built by Rajakesari Varman Kulothunga Chola I.

Inscriptions:

There are many inscriptions in this temple.

The Name of Shiva according to inscriptions is Thirumuttamudaiya Mahadevar. In the west wall of the Main Shrine there are inscriptions which mentions the gift of Villages of Sugandha Veeratta Chola Nallur to the temple. The Name of Shri Mushnam mentioned in inscriptions is Mudikonda Chola Nallur. Another inscription of Raja Raja Chola III mentions about the gift of Padikkaaval and other income from certain villages towards worship in the temple by Kulothunga Chola Kadavarayan. In the other wall of the Mandapam in from of the Main shrine the inscriptions during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I mentions about a Sarva Manyaa gift of 3 Kasus for 3 lamps to the temple. There are 2 inscriptions of Vikrama Chola and a Large number inscriptions relating to Vijayanagara rulers. 

131. PUTHUR

VISWANADHAR TEMPLE

Distance: 3 kms from Trichy

Shiva: Viswanadhar

Amman: Visalakshi

Speciality:

Both Viswanadhar and Vislakshi Sannidhi faces east.

In the entrance of the Arthamandapam on the left side we have the Sannidhis of Vinayaka and Aadhilingaeswarar and to the right side we have the Sannidhi of Balamurugan.

In the Prahara we have Sannidhis for Vinayaka, nagar, Subramaniyar with his consorts, Chandikeswarar, Sooriyan and Saneeswarar. 

In the Koshtas there are the Sannidhis of Dhkashinamurthy and Durga only.

The Shiva Linga was brought from Kasi and installed here.

There is a special form of worship in this temple. Women who are awaiting marriage offer Magalyam to the Amman and pray to get a good pair. After their Marriage they offer Sarees to the Amman.

130. KALIVANDHAPATTU

KARKADAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 

Shiva: Karkadaeswarar

Amman: Karkadanayaki

Speciality:

All the 5 Pancha Koshta deities are found in this temple.

All the Prahara deities are also found here.

History:

Vathapi worshipped Lord Shiva here in the form of a crab. Therefore the Lord is known as Karkadaeswarar. Karkadam means crab. When Lord Shiva appeared before him he asked the Lord to give relief from Kali (Sani Dhosha) to the devotee who worship him. It is still believed that those who a dip in the temple pond and worship Karkadaeswarar are relieved from the adverse effects of Saturn.

129. UDAYAVAR THEEYANUR

JAMDHAGNEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance:

Shiva: Jamadhagneeswarar

Amman: Amirthambigai

Sthala Viruksham: Vilva

Theertham: Agni Theertham

Speciality:

Udyavar Theeyanur is situated in Pazhuvoor madalam. This place was ruler by Pazhuvettaraiyars who were the pillars for Cholas.  After the war with Pandyas in 880AD at Thirupurambayam Aadhithya Chola I established his rule here. Parantaka Chola I expanded the empire. The Pazhuvattaraiyars who were small Chieftains under the Cholas constructed many temples.

This temple was built by Raja Raja Chola II in 1166AD. 

The Avudaiyar is in a square Shape.

The Shiva Linga was worshipped by Sage Jamadhagni and therefore obtained the name Jamadhagneeswarar.

The Amman Vimanam is conical in shape.

Amman Amirthambigai is wearing a crown, hanging earings (magara kundalam), Thirumangalyam, bangles, anklets and jewels all over the body. She carries Akshara Mala and Nilothpala Mala in her upper hands and shows Abhaya Mudhra in her lower right hand and the lower left hand is placed on her thigh. Thus this Amman is very special.

The inscriptions found in Gangai Konda Cholapuram states that this place was called Manakula Kesari Nallur. Manakula Kesari was the name of the second son of Rajendhra Chola I.

People who worship this temple are relieved from ailments of stomach, obstacles from wedding proposals, childlessness and adverse parentary aspects. 

History:

This place was full of dense Vilva trees. Sage Jamadhagni selected this place for penance and named this place as Vilvaranyam. he found a Suyambhu Linga and installed it in this place. He performed penance here for a long period of time.

Agni has worshipped this temple.

Parasurama was affected of the Dhosha of Killing his mother. He wandered in many places and finally his father Jamadhagni suggested Parasurama to come to this place and bath in the river Marudhai here. He was told to worship Lord Shiva and he did so and got relieved from the Dhosha. The Marudhai river is also known as Parasurama River. 

128. OTHIVAKKAM

OTHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 11kms from Guduvanjery

Shiva: Otheeswarar, Vaidhyanadhar

Amman: Thaiyalnayaki

Sthala Viruksham: Peepul tree, Banyan tree and Palm tree united together.

Speciality:

According to the record the name of Shiva has been mentioned as Virupaksheeeswarar. 

The inscriptions have recorded that this temple is more than 1700 years old. 

The Mulavar Otheeswarar faces east amd Amman Thaiyalnayaki faces south.

The special Sannidhis in this temple are Stone Natarajar and Sivakami and Veerabadharar.

The Pancha Koshtas of Shiva, Chandikeswarar, Vinayaka and Muruga are the other Sannidhis.

It is believed that sidhdhars worship this temple daily in the form of white serpents.

The rays of the sun fall on Shiva daily.

This temple was worshipped by Indhiran and Rahu.

During Paal Abhishekam the Mulavar Shiva turns blue.

This is a Rahu Kedhu Dhosha Parihara Sthala.

This temple is situated in a quiet and calm place.

There are 2 other Shiva temples in this area. 

One Linga is in a Garden (separate property). 

The other is beside a Vinayaka temple close to Otheeswarar temple. 

This Linga was taken from shrubs and placed under a roof.

127. KANNIVAKKAM

CHANDRAMOULEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 8 kms Guduvanjery

Shiva: Chandramouleeswarar

Amman: Sowndharyanayaki

The place where the temple is situated were mere lands with thorny plants. Later a few years back this place was selected for construction of apartments. The Linga was found submerged in the sand when the place was cleaned up. Initially the linga waas placed under a thatched roof. Later a small temple has been built and named as Chandramouleeswarar and Amman Sowndharyanayaki. 

The History of this temple is unknown. 

Now there are Sannidhis for Dwara Ganapathy, Muruga with Consorts, 3 Koshta Murthies in Shiva Koshtas, 3 Devis in Amman Koshtas.

126. ARUNGAL

AMIRTHALINGAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 6 kms from Guduvanjery

Shiva: Amirthalingaeswarar

Amman: Amirthavalli not found

Speciality:

The Linga of this temple dates before 9th Century.

This temple should have been a big temple in those days.

There is a temple pond in front of this temple.

Only the Linga and a Baanam was identified in a bush. The earlier temple must have been destroyed completely as the there are no remains left behind.

The Aavudaiyar of the Linga is square in shape.

The Baanam is placed beside the Linga.

There is an old Vinayaka temple near the pond. 

The Navagrahas has been built as later addition.

Amirthalingaeswarar and the Baanam are placed under a roof.

It is always open and can be seen at any time.

125. PERUMATTUNALLUR

AADHI MAHALINGAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 7kms from Guduvanjery

Shiva: Aadhi Mahalingaeswarar

Amman: Mahaeswari

Sthala Viruksham: Neem

Speciality:

This Linga was found in a bush. The people around placed the Linga around a roof. Now a small temple has been built for the Linga. 

According to the records the name of the Linga has been identified as Perumattrueaswarar but now renamed as Aadhi Mahalingaeswarar and the name of the Amman is specified as Maheswari.

There are Sannidhis for Vinayaka and 2 Nandhis are found here. One Nandhi is Shiva Nandhi and the other should have been the Nandhi of Amman. Since the Amman is not found this Nandhi is placed behind the Shiva nandhi in the temple.

There is a pond beside the temple.

The Sthala Viruksha is different in this temple. 2 neem trees have arosen from one big root. These 2 trees have different type of leaves. So they are considered as one male tree and one female tree.

124. KUMIZHI

VEDHAGIREESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 10kms from Guduvanchery

Shiva: Vedhagireeswarar

Amman: Thiripurasundhari

There was a temple for Vedhagireeswarar in the ancient days amidst mountains. Later the temple was damaged completely and a new temple has been built for Lord Shiva. 

It is a little interior to a place called Kumizhi. It is surrounded by small hills on 3 sides. 

Vedhagireeswarar faces east and Amman Thiripursundhari faces south. 

Now Sannidhis for Naalvars, Vinayaka, Murugar, Suriyan, Hanuman, Bhairavar and Many other Sannidhis have been newly built in the temple. 

The Powrnami Pooja celebration is very special.

People go on Girivalam around the temple on full moon days.

There is a pond which is special one. The mountain around is full of medicinal plants. In the rainy season the water from the mountains flow downwards to the pond. Since the water flows over the medicinal plants and reaches the pond this water has high medicinal value. Very rare plant species are found here. If people who visit this temple stay here for a few hours they inhale medicinal air which purifies the body.

123. UNAMANJERY

VIRUTHAGIREESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 6kms from Vandalur

Shiva: VIruthagireeswarar

Amman: Viruthambigai

Sthala Viruksham: Vilva tree

Theertham: present in earlier days now not found.

Speciality:

Built by Pallavas.

The Pallavas built the temple with 3 Praharas.

The temple was very big and the temple festivals were celebrated in a grand manner.

Due to invasions the temple had been destructed. The main shrine is the same and now this temple is very small.

This is a stone temple.

In early days only few inhabitants were there in the village.

There was a temple tank near the temple but now the population is high and no tank or water body is found nearby.

People who worship here are relieved from diseases.

The Pancha Koshta Murthies are found here.

Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas and Bhairavar are also found here.

In the tamil month of Thai the sun's rays fall on Viruthagireeswarar in the mornings.

122. SOMANGALAM

SOMANADHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance:

Shiva: Somanadheeswarar

Amman: Kaamakshi

Sthala Viruksham: Sarakondrai

Theertham: Sandeswaara Theertham and Soma Theertham

Speciality:

Somangalam belonged to Maganur Nadu which was a sub division of Senkattukottam.

Built during the Period of Kulothunga Chola in 1073AD.

This is a parihara sthala for Chandhra Dhosha.

The name of the place is named after Shiva.

There is a Shiva linga below the Sthala Viruksham called Virukshalingam.

Murugar is in Dharmasastha form with Guindy and Aksharamala.

Chandran has worshipped this lord Shiva and therefore Shiva is named as Somanadheeswarar  (Soman meanng Chandhran).

This is a Vaipusthalam.

Appar has referred about this Sthalam in his hymns.

Some broken idols are seen.

This is a Chandhran Sthalam among the Chennai Navagraha Sthalas.

Shiva faces west.

In earlier days Brahmins lived here in Large numbers. The Chola Kings gave the power of  maintaining the temple to the Brahmins. Therefore this place had obtained the name Chadhurvedhimangalam.

The Natarajar of this temple is Chadhura Thandava Murthy.

The Sthala Viruksham Sarakondrai is found in the northern side of the Sanktum.

There is a Linga named Viruksha Linga under the tree.

The image of the tree is carved on stone above the Linga.

The Pancha Koshta Murthies are very beautiful in this temple.

Vinayaka, Valli Devasena Subramaniya, Chandikeswarar, Nagar sannidhs are found in the temple.

The Nandhi of this temple does not face Lord Shiva. The Nandhi faces the opposite direction with its back facing Somanadheeswarar. There is a special Sannidhi for Chandran here.

The Chola King built 108 Shiva temples with Gajapriishta Vimana. This temple is one among those.

The Sandeswara theertham waas creaated by Chandikeswarar and Soma theertham was created by moon.

There are 5 inscriptions.

In the walls of the temple there are many sculptures and inscriptions. The Vimana carvings of Dhakshinamurthy and Mahishasuramarthini are in Chola style.

The inscriptions during the period of Rajadhiraja Chola II in 1174 AD was about the gift of cows. The name of Shiva mentioned in the inscriptions is Someswara Mudaiyar.  Another inscription is during the period of Kulothunga Chola III in 1192AD. This mentions about the repair of the temple tanks by Kaman Kandhavanavan for 2 years. The third inscription was also during the period of Cholas.

History:

Chandran was attacked by a serious disease due to the curse of Dhakshan. He lost alll his powers and forgot 16 art forms. He went to many temples to get relieved from the disease. He came to this temple and worshipped Lord Shiva here. He created Soma Theertham (by his name) which is now called Vinai Theertha Kulam and bathed in the pond and worshipped Shiva and got relieved from the disease completely. This pond is a little away from the temple.

A Chola King wished to build 108 Shiva temples. He was building this temple. An enemy king approached the Chola King for war without previous information. At that the renovation of the temple was going on and the soldiers were engaged in this work. He was not prepared for the war and he did not wish to stop his temple work. So, the King explained the situation to the Lord. The Lord ordered Nandhikeswarar to chase the enemy king and his army and no damage should be caused to the temple and the place by that king. Therefore the Nandhi turned east to the opposite direction and chased the King and his army by blowing his forceful breath as directed by Lord Shiva. Shiva ordered the Nandhi to face east always to avoid any further attacks by enemies. So, people who fear enemies pray to this Nandhi. This temple is one of the 9 temples in Thondaimandalam where Nandhi does not face Lord Shiva.

A Sage named Somanadhar attained Jeeva Samadhi at the Nandhi's feet of this temple. He guarded Chandran from external disturbances when Chandran was performing penance.

There is a small Vinayaka temple opposite to the temple. This Vinayaka helped Nandhi in chasing away the enemy king.

121. DINDIVANAM

THINTHRINEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 120kms from Chennai

Shiva: Thinthrineeswarar

Amman: 

Sthala Viruksham: Taarind tree

Speciality:

Old name of Dindivanam was Kidangil which was named after the local chief Kidangil Koman whose glory was sung by the Sanga Pulavars of Tamilnadu.

Dindivanam was also called as Thandagavanam, Dindeeswaram and Thinthrinivanam in ancient days. In the inscriptions the name of the place is mentioned as Thiruthindeeswaram.

The Rajagopuram of this temple is 7 tiered.

There are 2 Praharas in this temple.

The Vimanam of he temple was designed by Sage Vyasa.

This is a Vaipustalam sung by Appar in his hymns.

There is a big lake even now called as the Kidangil Eri.

Thinthrineeswarar is a Suyambhu Linga facing east.

Thinthrineeswarar was initially installed by Dindi under a Tamarind tree.

All the Parivara and Prahara deities are present in this temple.

The temple is maintained well.

Two Asuras brothers named Dindi and Mundi worshipped Lord Shiva. The became the Dwarapalakas of Lord Shiva after they attained Mukthi. Thinthrineeswarar was worshipped by Dindi and the place Dindivanam is named after him.

This temple was also worshipped by Sage Killi and Killali.

The places where Mundi worshipped Lord Shiva are Mundiyambakkam and Thirumundeeswaram (now called Gramam). These 2 places are named after Mundi.

Inscription:

The oldest inscription on the walls of the temple was engraved during the period of Rajakesari Varman Sundhara Cholan Parantakan II. It records the gift of Lamps by many people in his country. Another inscription during the period of Rajaraja Chola I mentions about the gift of Land to 2 musicians - One a Veena Player and other a Vocalist who perform their music consort before Lord Shiva of this temple.During the days of Rajaraja Chola I the temple had the Central Shrine and the Artha Mandapam. The Parivara Deities Ganesha, Dhakshinamurthy facing south, Vishnu facing west and Brahma and Durga facing north were the only deities of the period of the 10th Century. All the other deities are later additions. The inscriptions engraved on the south wall of the Mandapam in front of the Main Shrine is of the period of Rajendhra Chola I. It records the gift of 12 cows to the Thinthrineeswarar temple of Kidangil in Oymanadu. Now Kidangil is a suburb of Dindivanam. Having recieved the 12 cows the members of the Assembly who were in charge had to supply the requirements of the temple as long as the Sun and Moon lasts. This was the order of Rajendhra Chola I.

120. KARANDHAI

VASISHTAESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: 2kms from Thanjavur

Shiva: Vasishtaeswarar, Karunaswamy

Amman: Periyanayaki, Thiripurasundhari

Sthala Viruksham: Vanni tree

Theertham: Vasishta Theertham

Speciality:

There is a big water tank to the east of the temple. The water to this tank flows from Vadavaru. The passage of the flow of the water can be seen distinctly.

This is a stone temple.

This temple is said to have constructed before the Chola Period.

The main Shrine and the Vimana must have been constructed by the Mutharaiyars.

The figures in the niches are Sammandar, Bhiksadanar, Rishipathinis, Nataraja, Gangalamurthy, Dhakshnamurthy, Lingothbava with Brahma and Vishnu, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma, Durga, Ganesha, Kalyana Sundharar, Venadhara Dhakshinamurthy, Kalasamhara Murthy, Agasthyar, Appar.

During the days of Parantaka Chola I the original 5 Koshta deities were only found. The other deities which have been referred here have been inserted and the niches improved made by the cuttings into the old outer inscribed walls of the Garpagriha and the Arthamandapam. This should have been taken place during the Uthama Chola Period when these additional sculptures of are Sembiyan Madhevi style.

There are also Sannidhis for Veerabhadrar, Vasishtar and Arundhadhi,

The other Sannidhis such as Vinayaka, Murugan, Gajalakshmi are also found here.

In the outer Prahara there are Elai Pillayar sannidhis in the 4 corners.

There is a Dhandapani Sannidhi opposite to the west entrance.

This is a Devara Vaipusthalam referred by Thirugnanasammandhar in his poems.

This place was known as Karunthittai Kudi (Karu Vasishta Kudi) as this temple was worshipped by Vasishtar. 

Inscriptions mark this temple as early to the 7th Century.

There are 3 inscriptions assigned to Uthama Chola. One of them is the gift of Lamps made by Madhurantakan Kadarathithan, his son, who was a officer engaged in the temple affairs. He managed the temple even in the early reign of Rajaraja Chola I. Another inscription is about the installation of Dwarapalas on the eastern wall near the entrance to the Arthamandapam of the Central Shrine by Vellati Arunili Malay Piratti of Palampattinam in Pattinadu. 

In the inscriptions the name of Shiva has been mentioned as Karuvitta Kudi Mahadevar.

Garpagraha is in a square shape. There is a central Koshta on each of the 3 sides of the wall of the Grapagriha with projecting Panjara. 

The Sigaram is circular.

Some of the sculpture in the niches are later insertions.

King Karikal Chola was affected by Leprosy. He went to many temples and finally he was suggested to come to Karandhai. He bathed in the Vasishta Theertham which is opposite to the temple. He worshipped the Lord. He repeated this process for many days. One day Lord appeared in his dream and blessed him. The next morning the disease from his body. Since he was cured by the grace of the Lord he called the Lord as Karunaiswamy which is now called karunasamy. He built a stone temple for the deity and the inscriptions are present near the main shrine.

119. THANJAVUR

KASI VISWANADHAR TEMPLE

Distance: Situated in the southern banks of Vennaru in the Thiruvaiyaru road near the Government water tank.

Shiva: Kasi Viswanadhar

Amman: Kasi Visalakshi

Speciality:

The temple face west

The Kasi Viswanadhar faces west.

The Vimanam is very simple.

The Amman Kasi Visalakshi faces North.

This is a private temple.

History:

During the Marati Rule in the 18th Century a person called Vekatrayar livd in Thanjavur. He went to Kasi and had the Dharshan of Viswanadhar. When he came back he built a temple in his own land for Viswanadhar and worshipped him. This temple is maintained by his family. 

118. THANJAVUR

SOKKANADHAR TEMPLE

Distance: Situated on the banks of Vennaru in a place called Raachathiram.

Shiva: Sokkanadhar

Amman: Meenakshi

Speciality:

This Shiva Linga faces east.

There is a small tank near the temple with the southern banks of Vennaru which serves as the tank of the temple.

The temple looks like a Kootu Mandapam with a small Vimanam.

This temple was built by the Nayakkars.

117. THANJAVUR

KALAHASTHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance: situated at the banks of Vennaru near the Thanjavur Government water tank.

Shiva: Kalahastheeswarar

Amman: No Amman

Speciality:

The Shiva Linga faces east. 

The Vimanam is made of bricks.

This temple is damaged.

Half of the building is submerged in the mud.

We find the Nandhi in front of Shiva on the open ground.

116. MANIMANGALAM SHIVA TEMPLES

Distance: 10kms from Tambaram

Shiva temples: Dharmeswarar , Kailasanadhar

About the place: 

Manimangalam was names as Rathnagrahara in sanskrit. During the reign of Raja Kesarivarman this place was called Logamahadevi Chadhurvedhimangalam. During the reign of Rajadhiraja Chola, Rajendhra Chola I and Veera Rajendhra Chola I this place was called Raja Choolamani Chandhurvedhimangalam. In thee reign of some other kings Manimangalam was called Pandiyanai Irumadivenkanda Chola Chandurvedhimangalam. The village was included in Jayamkonda Chola Mandalam. Down to the time of Veera Rajendhra CHola I it was belonged to Maganur Naadu which was a subdivision of Senkattukottam. Later the Chola inscriptions assign it to Kundrathur Nadu which was renamed as Kulothunga Chola Valanadu after Kulothunga Chola I.

The battle between Narasimha Varma Pallava and the Chalukya King Pulikesi II occurred here in the 7th Century. From the inscriptions we come to know that the name of the village was Grama Sigamani Chadurvethimangalam of Kundrathur region of Puliyur Kottam of Jayam Konda Chola Mandalam. The Lands and the temples were donated by Kings to the scholars and Vedic Gurus for performing Vedic rituals for the wellness of their empire and people. Such villages were called Chadurvedhimangalam. Chadurvedhi means Scholar.

There are many Vinayaka temples in this village. All the Vinayaka of this village are with elephant Vahana. The usual mouse Vahana is not present in this village.

DHARMESWARAR TEMPLE:

The Dharmeswarar temple is a stone temple built with wonderful Architecture. The Mulavar Dharmeswarar faces east. The name of the Ambaal is Vedhambigai. The name of Shiva during the middle Chola period was Dhameeswaramudaiya Nayanar. The Ambaal Shrine is beside the Nandhi Mandapam. The Nandhi in the Nandhi Mandapam is made of stone. It releases the sound of bronze when one strikes on it. Many bronze stautes are found here. Many inscriptions are found on the walls. There is an inscription of King Rajaraja Chola III about the gift of oil for burning lamps. There was a wonderful Nataraja Statue. Some thieves stone the Panjaloga Statue of Nataraja. When the tried to run away from the Village with the statue the villagers chased them. They threw the statue into a pond and fled away. When the villagers tried to take out the statue from the pond some parts of the statue got damaged.

The temple is built in the Gaja Prashta Style. Many idols are found in the corner of the temple. All the Koshta deities are present. There is another Shiva Linga near the wall of the temple. The holy pond is called Shiva Pushkarani. The Sthala Viruksham is a Peepul tree. This temple was worshipped by Dharma the eldest of the Pancha Pandavas. The temple worshipped by his brother Bheema is in a village called Mudichur about 4kms from Manimangalam.

KAILASANADHAR TEMPLE

The Kailasanadhar temple was built by a Telugu Chola King Vijaya Balaya in the year 950AD. Renovations had been done by Raja Raja Chola in 985AD, Rajendra Chola in 1014AD and Kulothunga Chola in 1070AD. Siruthonda Nayanar has worshipped this temple and offered annadhanam in this temple. His hometown was Thiruchengattankudi of Nagai district. His real name was Paranjothi. He was the chieftain of the Cholas. He was a great devotee of Shiva. The Shrine of the Kailasanadhar is built out of stone. The main deity Shiva faces east. The shale viruksha is Peepul tree. The details about this temple are referred in the copper plates in Kooram.