8 Famous Temples To Visit In Tanjore

Visited on: 30^th June, 2018

Location

Thiru Kandiyur is situated at a distance of about 3 kms from Thiruvaiyaru on the Thiruvaiyaru to Tanjore route. From Tanjore, this place is about 10 kms away.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are – 

Thiruvaiyaru, Thiru Neithanam, Thiruppazhanam, Thiru Chotruthurai, Thiruvedhikudi, Thiruppunthuruthi and Thiru Alampozhil.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 12^th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is the first among the eight Veerattana sthalams.
• This is one of the Sapthasthanam temple of Thiruvaiyaru.
• This west facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is located on the banks of the river Kudamurutti.

In the stone inscriptions, the lord is referred to as “Thiru Veerattanattu Mahadevar” and “Thirukkandiyur Udaiya Mahadevar”.

The historical names of this place are Aadhi Vilvaaranyam and Tri Moorthy Sthalam.

There are certain stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of Pallava king Nirupathunga Varman, Chola kings Koppara Kesari Varman, Uthama Cholan and Rajendra Cholan-I.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).

Atta Veeratta Sthalams

In Hindu mythology, there are eight special places where it is believed that Lord Shiva vanquished various demons and exhibited acts of bravery. These places are Veeratta Sthalams. In Tamil, this is referred to as “Atta Veerattanam” (“Atta” means eight and “Veeram” means bravery). Thirukkandiyur (this place) is the first Veeratta Sthalam where one of Lord Brahma’s five heads was plucked by Lord Shiva.

The other seven Veeratta Sthalams are –

1. Thirukkovilur where the demon Andhakasuran was vanquished;
2. Thiruvathigai where the lord is believed to have done the “Thiripura Samharam”.
3. Keezha Parasalur where Dakshan’s yagna was stopped and he was killed;
4. Thiruvirkudi where the demon Jalandharasuran was killed;
5. Thiru Vazhuvur where the elephant Gajasuran was vanquished;
6. Thiru Korukkai where Manmathan was burnt and later blessed.
7. Thirukkadaiyur where Lord Yama was kicked and punished to save Markandeya.

Visited on: 20^th October, 2018.

Location

Thiruvedhikkudi is situated at a distance of about 6 kilometres from Thiru Kandiyur (Via Veerasingampettai). Kandiyur is 3 kms away from Thiruvaiyaru on the Thiruvaiyaru to Tanjore route.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are –

Thiruvaiyaru, Thiru Neithanam, Thiruppazhanam, Thiru Kandiyur, Thiru Chotruthurai, Thiruppunthuruthi and Thiru Alampozhil.

Note: There is another Shiva temple near this place by the name of Sri Aadhi Vaithyanathaswami Temple at Veerasingampettai (3 kms east of Thiru Kandiyur).

A unique feature of this temple is that there are 276 Shiva lingams installed at one place in the corridor (prakaram). Each one represents the main deity of the 276 Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams. By visiting this temple, one can get the benefit of visiting all the sthalams.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 14^th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the Saptha Sthanam temples of Thiruvaiyaru.
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 19.03.2014.

History of the Temple

There are some stone inscriptions which date back to the periods of Aditha Chola-I, Kopparakesari Varman and Korajakesari Varman. In these inscriptions, the lord of this temple is referred as “Vedhikudi Mahadevar” and “Parakesari Chathurvedhi Mangalathu Mahadevar".

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).

Visited on: 20^th October, 2018.

Location

Thiru Chotruthurai is situated at a distance of about 6 kms from Kandiyur. Kandiyur is 3 kms away from Thiruvaiyaru on the Thiruvaiyaru to Tanjore route. This place is about 15 kms away from Tanjore.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are –

Thiruvaiyaru, Thiru Neithanam, Thiruppazhanam, Thiru Kandiyur, Thiruvedhikudi, Thiruppunthuruthi and Thiru Alampozhil. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 13^th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the Saptha Sthana temples of Thiruvaiyaru.
• This is one of the 44 Paadal petra sthalams where the “Moovar” (the three saints - Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar) had rendered their Pathigams.
• This east facing temple has no main tower (Rajagopuram). In place of the Gopuram, there is a beautiful sculpture depicting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy seated on a bull.
• There is a 3-tiered tower at the second entrance. The temple has two corridors.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is situated on the southern bank of the river Kudamurutti.

There are some stone inscriptions which date back to the periods of many Chola kings like Adhithan-I, Paranthakan, Rajarajan, Rajakesari Varman, Konerinmai Kondan and Kulothungan. In these inscriptions, the name of the lord is mentioned as Tholaiyachelvar and Thiru Chotruthurai Nathar. 

From these inscriptions, it is known that this temple was renovated by Chola King Adhitha Chola-I.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).

Visited on: June 30, 2018.

Location 

Thiruppazhanam is situated at a distance of about 4 kms from Thiruvaiyaru on the Thiruvaiyaru to Kumbakonam route. From Kumbakonam it is about 30 kms away.

It is about 2 kms away from the famous Thingalur Lord Chandran temple.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are – 

Vada Kurangaduthurai, Thiruvaiyaru, Thirukkandiyur, Thiru Chotruthurai, Thiruvedhikudi, Thiruppunthuruthi, Thiru Alampozhil, Thiru Neithanam, Thiru Nallur and Thiru Palaithurai. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 50^th Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the Saptha Sthana temples of Thiruvaiyaru.
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• There is no flag post (Dwajasthambam) here.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 08.09.2005.

History of the Temple

The historical names of this place are Thiruppazhanam, Kathalivanam, Kausikasramam, Prayanapuri and Pazhanappathi.

“Pazhanam” means fertile land. True to its name, this place is surrounded by many such fertile fields.

There are about 28 stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of many Chola kings like Aditha Cholan-I, Paranthakan-I, Kulothungan-III, Rajarajan and Rajakesari Varman. 

It is believed that this temple was constructed by Chola kings Aditha Cholan-I and Paranthaka Cholan-I.

This temple is one of the 88 temples controlled by the Tanjore Palace Devasthanam.

This temple is also under the purview of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).

Visited on: June 30, 2018.

Location 

Thiru Neithanam is situated at a distance of about 2 kms from Thiruvaiyaru. It is located at a distance of about 37 kms from Kumbakonam and 15 kms from Tanjore.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are – Thiruvaiyaru, Thirukkandiyur, Thiru Chotruthurai, Thiruvedhikudi, Thiruppazhanam and Thiruvirkudi. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 52^nd Shiva Sthalam on the northern bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai).
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This is one of the “Saptha Sthana” temples of Thiruvaiyaru.
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 09.04.2001. 

History of the Temple

The historical names of this place are Thiru Neithanam and Thillai Sthanam.

There are 51 stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of five Chola kings including Paranthakan-I. In these stone inscriptions this place is referred to as “Rajaraja Valanattu Bainganaattu Thiru Neithanam” and the lord of this temple is praised as Sri Neithanamudaiyar. Most of these inscriptions are related to the endowments and donations made to this temple.

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).

Visited on: 1^st October, 2017.

Location

Thirukkarukavur is situated at a distance of about 20 kms from Tanjure on the Tanjure to Kumbakonam (Via Thittai-Melattur-Papanasam) route. It is about 20 kms from Kumbakonam. Nearest railway station is Papanasam on the Mayiladuthurai to Tanjure line, which is about 5 kms away from this place.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this place are – Thengudi Thittai, Thiruppulla Mangai (Pasupathi Koil), Sakkarappalli (Iyampettai), Thiru Nallur, Aavoor, Pazhayarai Vada Thali, Thiru Sakthi Mutram, Patteeswaram and Thiru Paalaithurai.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 18^th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This temple is very famous and devotees throng this temple in large numbers praying for child boon and safe delivery.
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• There are two Nandhis here along with the flag post and Balipeet.
• The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place on 29.01.2016 and prior to that on 08.03.1993 and 27.10.1985.

History of the Temple

This ancient temple is believed to be over 2,000 years old and is situated on the banks of the river Vettaru. This temple is spread over 3 acres of land.

There are stone inscriptions in this temple which date back to the periods of Chola kings Koppara Kesari Varman and Raja Rajan-I.

The historical names of this place are Mullaivanam, Garbapuri and Madhavivanam (Madhavi means “Mullai” plant, a variety of jasmine).

Visited on: 1^st October, 2017.

Location

Thittai is situated at a distance of about 10 Kms from Thanjavur on the Tanjure - Melattur - Kumbakonam route. Nearest railway station is Thittai on the Kumbakonam to Tanjure line which is two kilometres away from this temple.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are – Thiruppullamangai (Pasupathi Koil), Thiru Sakkarapalli (Iyampettai), Thirukkarukavur, Thiru Paalaithurai and Thiru Nallur.

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 15^th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai). 
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). 
• This is one of the famous Guru (Jupitar) Parikara sthalam.
• Drops of water fall from the ceiling on the main deity in the sanctum sanctorum every 24 minutes without fail.
• This east facing temple has 2 corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers.
• The flag post (Dwajasthambam) is made out of granite.

History of the Temple

Thenkudi Thittai is located between the rivers Vennaru and Vettaru, both of which are tributaries of river Kaveri.

There are stone inscriptions available here which date back to the 10^th and 12^th centuries. It is believed that this temple was built by the Chola King Kulothungan. In 1922, the entire temple was reconstructed using granite by Sri Ramaswamy Chettiar of Chettinadu Nagarathar family.

This place is also known as Therur or Rathapuri which originates from the legend that the chariot (“Ther”) of a king got stuck in the sand dunes here.

The historical names of this place are Vilvaranyam, Vasishtasramam, Dhenupuri and “Kudeethveepam” (in Sanskrit).

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR & CE). 

Visited on: October 1, 2017.

Location

Thiru Paalaithurai is situated at a distance of about 2 kms from Papanasam bus stand on the Thanjavur to Kumbakonam route. It is about 12 kms from Kumbakonam. Nearest railway station is Papanasam which is about one kilometre away from this temple.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam near this place are – Thiru Sakkarappalli (Iyampettai), Thirunallur and Thirukkarukavur. 

General Information

• This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 19^th Shiva Sthalam on the Southern bank of the river Cauveri in Chozha Nadu (Thenkarai).
• Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
• This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers.
• There is no flag post in this temple.
• The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 29.10.2001.

History of the Temple

This place is called Paalaithurai as the temple has the “paalai tree” as sthala viruksham. Also, since it is situated on the banks of Kudamurutti (a tributary of Cauvery) river, the place is known as Paalaithurai (“thurai” means river bank in Tamil).

There are 11 stone inscriptions available in this temple. All of them date back to the Chola dynasty. There are special mentions of Kings Kulothunga I, Vikrama Cholan, Rajarajan II, Rajarajan III and Kulothungan III. In one of the inscriptions the lord is mentioned as “Thirupalaithurai Mahadevar”.

The historical names of this place are Brahmavanam, Paalaivanam, Arasavanam and Punnahavanam.

There is an enormous and world-famous granary (paddy storage) in this temple that has a breadth of 86 feet and a height of 36 feet. It is built using bricks in a conical shape and it has a capacity of about 3000 Kalams* (a unit of measurement followed in those days). The granary was built by Tanjure Nayak King Ragunatha (AD 1600-1634). This shows how much income this temple received in those days.  It is not in use now. This granary is now under the control of archaeological survey of India as a “Protected Monument”.

*(1 kalam = 12 marakkal = 48 padi = 36 kgs. 3000 kalams = 108,000 kgs. approx).

This temple is under the administrative control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board, Department of Government of Tamil Nadu (HR&CE).