Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
Stone entrance gateway with a lattice dome in a yellow wall, shrine roofs and trees behind
Swayambu

Keezhai Thirukkattupalli Sri Aranya Sundareswarar Temple 12th of 63 on the north bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Mayiladuthurai

Darshan today8:30 am – 11:00 am, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Moolavar
Aranya Sundareswarar
Ambal
Akilandeswari
Theertham
Amirtha, Poigai Theertham
Sthala vriksham
Panneer flower tree
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar-1

Temple

Visited on: 29th September, 2016 and 23rd May, 2017

Location

Keezhai Thirukkattupalli is situated at a distance of about 2 kms from Thiruvenkadu. It is near Alli Vilagam village on the Sirkazhi to Tharangkambadi route. From Sirkazhi, this place is at a distance of about 10 kms.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are –

Thiruvenkadu, Thiruppallavaneecharam (Poompuhar), Thiruchaikkadu, Thiru Valampuram, Thirukkalikkamur (Annappan Pettai), Pariyal Veerattam, Thiruchempon Palli, Thiru Nani Palli, Thiru Nintriyur, Thiru Kadaimudi (Keezhur), Thalaichangadu, Aakkur, Thirukkadaiyur and Thirukkadaiyur Mayanam.

General Information

Moolavar
Sri Aranya Sundareswarar
Ambal
Sri Akilandeswari
Theertham (Holy water)
Amirtha, Poigai Theertham
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Panneer flower tree
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar-1
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 12th 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 west facing temple has a single corridor. It does not have a main tower (Rajagopuram) but in its place there is a small and beautiful arch.
  • The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 24.01.2007.

History of the Temple

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

Stone gateway with a domed top in a yellow wall, with Tamil writing on the wall at right
Domed stone shrines and a green shrine with an open doorway across a bare paved courtyard

Legend

The legend of this temple revolves around the demon Visvarupan. It is believed that Lord Indra killed him after he was found to be terrorising the devas (celestial gods). Visvarupan’s father Dhuvatta performed a yagna and created another demon called Vruthirasuran to kill Indra. Indra obtained a weapon called “Vajrayudham” from Sage Thatheesi and destroyed Vruthirasuran. Due to the sins accrued by these killings, Indra lost his position as the head of the celestial gods. He was also inflicted with “Brahmahathi Dosham”. Indra sought the advice of Lord Brahma who asked him to come to this place and worship Lord Shiva. Indra came here and worshiped the lord and was absolved of his sins. He was also restored to his position.

Lord Brahma is believed to have created 10 Shivalingams here and worshiped Lord Shiva. These lingams are called - Muniyesar, Brahmesar, Agastheeswarar, Pulastheeswarar, Vyakrapatheswarar, Sakreswarar and Kapaleeswarar. They can be seen in the corridors. It is believed that worshiping Lord Brahmesar here would yield the same benefit as performing 100 “Aswametha Yagnas”.

It is believed that a Gandharva (musicians to the celestial gods) was cursed by a sage to become a crab (“Nandu” in Tamil). To seek relief from this curse, he visited this place and worshiped Lord Vinayakar. Lord Vinayakar answered his prayers and he was restored back to his original form. Hence this Vinayakar is praised as “Sri Karkata Maha Ganapathy” and “Sri Nandu Vinayakar” (“Karkata” and “Nandu” means crab). This Vinayakar can be seen with a crab as his mount in place of his usual mouse.

It is also believed that Sages Mahakala and Aranya worshiped the lord here. There are reliefs in the outer wall of the sanctum depicting both of them. Sage Mahakala is shown blowing a conch and Sage Aranya is shown performing pooja to Lord Shiva.

Stone figure with folded hands, wearing a flower, stands in a niche beside a small lingam
Dark stone Vinayakar with a flower on the head and a mark on the forehead, seated on a stepped base

Deities in the temple

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayakar, Murugan, Bairavar, Suryan and Saneeswarar can be seen in the corridors.

In the “koshtam” (place surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), idols of Dakshinamurthy and Chandikeswarar can be seen.

There is no Navagraham in this temple.

Small shrine with a painted Vinayakar above an arched doorway, with trees behind
Small shrine with an arched doorway and three painted figures in a blue niche on its roof
Colourful painted tower with figures behind a small grey shrine with a domed roof and an open door
Dim shrine doorway under a red Tamil name board, with the Goddess lit by a lamp inside

Salient Features

This temple is once believed to have been in the middle of a jungle (“Aaranyam” and “Kaadu” in Tamil). Hence Lord Shiva here is also praised as Sri Aranyeswarar (“Sri Kaattazhagar in Tamil).

The significance of this temple is that one can worship both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy by standing at one place.

Lord Dakshinamurthy is praised here as “Sri Rajayoga Dakshinamurthy” and is seen with 6 disciples instead of his usual 4 disciples. They are Sanakar, Sanathanar, Sananthanar, Sanathkumarar, Lord Brahma and Lord Mahavishnu.

In the “Dasalingam” shrine there are 7 Shivalingams. In one of the Shivalingam’s base, there are two lingams (Banams). This is quite unique.

Black stone seated idol with a white cloth, flanked by small carved figures on both sides
Two dark stone lingams on a stone platform, with a white cloth hanging over its edge

There are four Theerthams (tank) associated with this temple. They are located on the four corners of this temple.

The architecture of this temple is such that one can hear the sound of the sea waves near Lord Dakshinamurthy’s shrine. The surprising fact is that the sea is more than 6 kms away from here.

Greatness of this temple

It is believed that those who have lost wealth, power or position can recover them by worshiping Lord Shiva here.

Important Festivals

Some of the festivals celebrated in this temple are -

Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept).

Skanda Sashti in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct-Nov),

Arudra Dharisanam in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan), and

Maha Shivarathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 08.30 AM to 11.00 AM and 06.00 PM to 07.30 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Aranya Sundareswarar Temple,
Keezhai Thirukattupalli-Post,
Thiruvengadu-Via,
Sirkazhi-Taluk,
Nagapattinam District,
Tamil Nadu – 609 114.
Tele: +91- 4364 - 256 273, 94439 85770, 98425 93244.

*
NavigateGet directions in Google Maps
Today8:30 am – 11:00 am, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Phone+91- 4364 - 256 27394439 85770, 98425 93244
Weathered yellow corridor walls with domed roofs and a painted tower, and a small arched shrine in front
Small domed shrines with barred windows beside a blue shrine topped with three painted figures
Tower in green, pink and blue with sculpted figures, and domed roofs in front of a cloudy sky
Shrines in a row: a domed one with a yellow lattice pattern, barred windows, and a blue one with painted figures
Old stone walls and weathered roofs of the sanctum beside two painted domed tower tops, under a grey sky

Highlights

What makes this temple special

* Cards drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. “Read more” takes you to the full passage.

Greatness

What makes this temple great

The write-up points to a place where both Shiva and Parvathy can be worshiped from one spot, and to features not seen elsewhere.

  1. Shiva and Parvathy from one placeOne can worship both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy by standing at one place.
  2. Two lingams on one baseIn the Dasalingam shrine, one Shivalingam's base holds two lingams (Banams), which is quite unique.
  3. The sound of the seaNear Lord Dakshinamurthy's shrine one can hear the sound of the sea waves, though the sea is far from here.
  4. A temple in the jungleThe temple is believed to have once stood in the middle of a jungle, so Shiva is also praised as Sri Aranyeswarar.
Significance

Its place in the tradition

A Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, sung by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and sanctified by its legends.

  1. Sung by ThirugnanasambantharThe Pathigam of this temple was rendered by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar.
  2. Its place in the 276 sthalamsIt is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 12th on the northern bank of the Cauvery.
  3. Where Indra was absolvedIndra came here, worshiped the lord and was absolved of his sins and restored to his position.
  4. Shivalingams of BrahmaLord Brahma is believed to have created Shivalingams here and worshiped Lord Shiva; they can be seen in the corridors.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

Devotees come to recover what they have lost and to seek relief from sins and curses.

  1. To recover lost wealth, power or positionIt is believed that those who have lost wealth, power or position can recover them by worshiping Lord Shiva here.
  2. For relief from sinsIndra worshiped the lord here and was absolved of his sins, as the legend tells.
  3. For relief from a curseA Gandharva cursed to become a crab worshiped Lord Vinayakar here and was restored to his original form.
A small shrine in front of the tower and the old wall
276Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams

Devara sthalams

Legends of Keezhai Thirukkattupalli

Indra killed the demon Visvarupan and later Vruthirasuran, lost his position, and regained it by worshiping Lord Shiva here.

Lord Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva with Shivalingams he created here, and they can be seen in the corridors.

A cursed Gandharva worshiped Vinayakar here, who is praised as Sri Nandu Vinayakar and is seen with a crab as his mount.

Reliefs on the outer wall of the sanctum show Sage Mahakala blowing a conch and Sage Aranya performing pooja to Lord Shiva.

Festivals through the year

    Vinayakar Chaturthi, Skanda Sashti, Arudra Dharisanam and Maha Shivarathri are celebrated, and Pradosham is observed regularly.

    Deities

    The deities of this temple

    * Drawn from the temple write-up and photographs. Where there is no photograph, the card shows the name.

    From the sanctum to the corridors
    Moolavarஆ
    Moolavar

    Sri Aranya Sundareswarar

    Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested). Because the temple once stood in a jungle, he is also praised as Sri Aranyeswarar.

    Dim shrine doorway under a red Tamil name board, with the Goddess lit by a lamp inside
    Ambal

    Sri Akilandeswari

    The significance of this temple is that one can worship both Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy by standing at one place.

    Shrine in the corridorவி
    Shrine in the corridor

    Sri Nandu Vinayakar

    Vinayakar answered the prayers of a cursed Gandharva and can be seen with a crab as his mount in place of his usual mouse.

    In the koshtamத
    In the koshtam

    Sri Rajayoga Dakshinamurthy

    Lord Dakshinamurthy is praised here as Sri Rajayoga Dakshinamurthy. Near his shrine one can hear the sound of the sea waves.

    Two dark stone lingams on a stone platform, with a white cloth hanging over its edge
    Shrine

    Dasalingam

    In one of the Shivalingam's base in the Dasalingam shrine, there are two lingams (Banams). This is quite unique.

    Shrine in the corridorமு
    Shrine in the corridor

    Murugan

    Shrines and idols of Murugan can be seen in the corridors.

    Shrine in the corridorபை
    Shrine in the corridor

    Bairavar

    Shrines and idols of Bairavar can be seen in the corridors.

    Visit & map

    12a6a12p6p
    Darshan today8:30 am – 11:00 am, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
    8:30 – 11:006:00 – 7:30 pm

    Hours as recorded on the visit. Festival days can differ.

    Address and phone

    Sri Aranya Sundareswarar Temple, Keezhai Thirukattupalli-Post, Thiruvengadu-Via, Sirkazhi-Taluk, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609 114.

    +91- 4364 - 256 273

    Temple plan

    Small shrine with a painted Vinayakar above an arched doorway, with trees behind
    01

    Shrines in the corridors

    Shrines and idols of Vinayakar, Murugan, Bairavar, Suryan and Saneeswarar can be seen in the corridors.

    1 / 5

    Summary written with AI help from the temple write-up.

    Pathigam

    Saint Thirugnanasambanthar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam.

    Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

    V. Muthukumaraswamy

    Thirugnanasambandar visited this temple and sang this Pathigam. Verse 1 of 10.

    Water flows by the fields and swells, red carp leap, and plantain trees bear fruit, while fragrance fills the groves of Kattuppalli. Those who meditate on the Lord of this place will rise to the upper world.

    Tap any Tamil word for its meaning

    Verse text and transliteration as given in the write-up. Word meanings and the English meaning are AI-assisted drafts.

    All ten verses

    1. 01

      செய்யரு கேபுனல் பாயவோங்கிச்செங்கயல் பாயச் சிலமலர்த்தேன்கையரு கேகனி வாழையீன்றுகானலெல் லாங்கமழ் காட்டுப்பள்ளிப்பையரு கேயழல் வாயவைவாய்ப்பாம்பணை யான்பணைத் தோளிபாகம்மெய்யரு கேயுடை யானையுள்கிவிண்டவ ரேறுவர் மேலுலகே

      “Seyyaru kēpuṉal pāyavōṅkich

      cheṅkayal pāyach silamalarththēṉ

      kaiyaru kēkaṉi vāzhaiyīṉtṟu

      kāṉalel lāṅkamazh kāṭṭuppaḷḷip

      paiyaru kēyazhal vāyavaivāyp

      pāmpaṇai yāṉpaṇaith thōḷipākam

      meyyaru kēyuṭai yāṉaiyuḷki

      viṇṭava rēṟuvar mēlulakē”.

      * இப்பதிகத்தில் 2-ம் செய்யுள் சிதைந்து போயிற்று.

      * Ippatikattil 2-m seyyuḷ sithainthu pōyitṟu.

    2. 02

      திரைகளெல் லாமல ருஞ்சுமந்துசெழுமணி முத்தொடு பொன்வரன்றிக்கரைகளெல் லாமணி சேர்ந்துரிஞ்சிக்காவிரி கால்பொரு காட்டுப்பள்ளிஉரைகளெல் லாமுணர் வெய்திநல்லஉத்தம ராயுயர்ந் தாருலகில்அரவமெல் லாம்அரை யார்த்தசெல்வர்க்காட்செய அல்லல் அறுக்கலாமே

      Thiraikaḷel lāmala ruñchumanthu / sezhumaṇi muththoṭu poṉvaraṉtṟik / karaikaḷel lāmaṇi sērnthuriñchik / kāviri kālporu kāṭṭuppaḷḷi / uraikaḷel lāmuṇar veythinalla / uththama rāyuyarn thārulakil / aravamel lāmarai yārththaselvark / kāṭseya allal aṟukkalāmē

    3. 03

      தோலுடை யான்வண்ணப் போர்வையினான்சுண்ணவெண் ணீறு துதைந்திலங்குநூலுடை யானிமை யோர்பெருமான்நுண்ணறி வால்வழி பாடுசெய்யுங்காலுடை யான்கரி தாயகண்டன்காதலிக் கப்படுங் காட்டுப்பள்ளிமேலுடை யானிமை யாதமுக்கண்மின்னிடை யாளொடும் வேண்டினானே

      Thōluṭai yāṉvaṇṇap pōrvaiyiṉāṉ / suṇṇaveṇ ṇīṟu thuthainthilaṅku / nūluṭai yāṉimai yōrperumāṉ / nuṇṇaṟi vālvazhi pāṭuseyyuṅ / kāluṭai yāṉkari thāyakaṇṭaṉ / kāthalik kappaṭuṅ kāṭṭuppaḷḷi / mēluṭai yāṉimai yāthamukkaṇ / miṉṉiṭai yāḷoṭum vēṇṭiṉāṉē

    4. 04

      சலசல சந்தகி லோடும்உந்திச்சந்தன மேகரை சார்த்தியெங்கும்பலபல வாய்த்தலை யார்த்துமண்டிப்பாய்ந்திழி காவிரிப் பாங்கரின்வாய்க்கலகல நின்றதி ருங்கழலான்காதலிக் கப்படுங் காட்டுப்பள்ளிச்சொலவல தொண்டர்க ளேத்தநின்றசூலம்வல் லான்கழல் சொல்லுவோமே

      Salasala santhaki lōṭumunthich / chantaṉa mēkarai sārththiyeṅkum / palapala vāyththalai yārththumaṇṭip / pāynthizhi kāvirip pāṅkariṉvāyk / kalakala niṉtṟati ruṅkazhalāṉ / kāthalik kappaṭuṅ kāṭṭuppaḷḷic / solavala thoṇṭarka ḷēththaniṉtṟa / chūlamval lāṉkazhal solluvōmē

    5. 05

      தளையவிழ் தண்ணிற நீலம்நெய்தல்தாமரை செங்கழு நீருமெல்லாங்களையவி ழுங்குழ லார்கடியக்காதலிக் கப்படுங் காட்டுப்பள்ளித்துளைபயி லுங்குழல் யாழ்முரலத்துன்னிய இன்னிசை யால்துதைந்தஅளைபயில் பாம்பரை யார்த்தசெல்வர்க்காட்செய அல்லல் அறுக்கலாமே

      Thaḷaiyavizh thaṇṇiṟa nīlamneythal / thāmarai seṅkazhu nīrumellāṅ / kaḷaiyavi zhuṅkuzha lārkaṭiyak / kāthalik kappaṭuṅ kāṭṭuppaḷḷith / thuḷaipayi luṅkuzhal yāzhmuralath / thuṉṉiya iṉṉisai yālthuthaintha / aḷaipayil pāmparai yārththaselvark / kāṭseya allal aṟukkalāmē

    6. 06

      முடிகையி னாற்றொடு மோட்டுழவர்முன்கைத் தருக்கைக் கரும்பின்கட்டிக்கடிகையி னாலெறி காட்டுப்பள்ளிகாதல்செய் தான்கரி தாயகண்டன்பொடியணி மேனியி னானையுள்கிப்போதொடு நீர்சுமந் தேத்திமுன்னின்றடுகையி னால்தொழ வல்ல தொண்டர்அருவினை யைத்துரந் தாட்செய்வாரே

      Muṭikaiyi ṉātṟoṭu mōṭṭuzhavar / muṉkaith tharukkaik karumpiṉkaṭṭik / kaṭikaiyi ṉāleṟi kāṭṭuppaḷḷi / kāthalcey thāṉkari thāyakaṇṭaṉ / poṭiyaṇi mēṉiyi ṉāṉaiyuḷkip / pōthoṭu nīrsuman thēththimuṉṉiṉ / tṟaṭukaiyi ṉālthozha valla thoṇṭar / aruviṉai yaiththuran thāṭseyvārē

    7. 07

      பிறையுடை யான்பெரி யோர்கள்பெம்மான்பெய்கழல் நாடொறும் பேணியேத்தமறையுடை யான்மழு வாளுடையான்வார்தரு மால்கடல் நஞ்சமுண்டகறையுடை யான்கன லாடுகண்ணாற்காமனைக் காய்ந்தவன் காட்டுப்பள்ளிக்குறையுடை யான்குறட் பூதச்செல்வன்குரைகழ லேகைகள் கூப்பினோமே

      Piṟaiyuṭai yāṉperi yōrkaḷpem'māṉ / peykazhal nāṭoṟum pēṇiyēththa / maṟaiyuṭai yāṉmazhu vāḷuṭaiyāṉ / vārtharu mālkaṭal nañchamuṇṭa / kaṟaiyuṭai yāṉkaṉa lāṭukaṇṇāṟ / kāmaṉaik kāynthavaṉ kāṭṭuppaḷḷik / kuṟaiyuṭai yāṉkuṟaṭ pūthachchelvaṉ / kuraikazha lēkaikaḷ kūppiṉōmē

    8. 08

      செற்றவர் தம்அர ணம்மவற்றைச்செவ்வழல் வாயெரி யூட்டிநின்றுங்கற்றவர் தாந்தொழு தேத்த நின்றான்காதலிக் கப்படுங் காட்டுப்பள்ளிஉற்றவர் தாமுணர் வெய்திநல்லஉம்பருள் ளார்தொழு தேத்த நின்றபெற்றமரும் பெருமா னையல்லால்பேசுவ தும்மற்றொர் பேச்சிலோமே

      setṟavar thamara ṇam'mavatṟaich / chevvazhal vāyeri yūṭṭiniṉtṟuṅ / katṟavar thānthozhu thēththa niṉtṟāṉ / kāthalik kappaṭuṅ kāṭṭuppaḷḷi / utṟavar thāmuṇar veythinalla / umparuḷ ḷārthozhu thēththa niṉtṟa / petṟamarum perumā ṉaiyallāl / pēsuva thum'matṟor pēchchilōmē

    9. 09

      ஒண்டுவ ரார்துகி லாடை மெய்போர்த்துச்சிகொ ளாமையுண் டேயுரைக்குங்குண்டர்க ளோடரைக் கூறையில்லார்கூறுவ தாங்குணம் அல்லகண்டீர்அண்ட மறையவன் மாலுங்காணாஆதியி னானுறை காட்டுப்பள்ளிவண்டம ரும்மலர்க் கொன்றைமாலைவார்சடை யான்கழல் வாழ்த்துவோமே

      Oṇṭuva rārthuki lāṭai meypōrth / thuchchiko ḷāmaiyuṇ ṭēyuraikkuṅ / kuṇṭarka ḷōṭaraik kūṟaiyillār / kūṟuva thāṅkuṇam allakaṇṭīr / aṇṭa maṟaiyavaṉ māluṅkāṇā / āthiyi ṉāṉuṟai kāṭṭuppaḷḷi / vaṇṭama rum'malark koṉtṟaimālai / vārsaṭai yāṉkazhal vāzhththuvōmē

    10. 10

      பொன்னியல் தாமரை நீலம்நெய்தல்போதுக ளாற்பொலி வெய்துபொய்கைக்கன்னியர் தாங்குடை காட்டுப்பள்ளிக்காத லனைக்கடற் காழியர்கோன்துன்னிய இன்னிசை யாற்றுதைந்துசொல்லிய ஞானசம் பந்தன் நல்லதன்னிசை யாற்சொன்ன மாலைபத்துந்தாங்கவல் லார்புகழ் தாங்குவாரே

      The last verse says that Sambandan of Kazhi sang this garland of verses on the beloved Lord of Kattuppalli, and those who can recite it will bear great fame.

      Poṉṉiyal thāmarai nīlamneythal / pōthuka ḷāṟpoli veythupoykaik / kaṉṉiyar thāṅkuṭai kāṭṭuppaḷḷik / kātha laṉaikkaṭaṟ kāzhiyarkōṉ / thuṉṉiya iṉṉisai yātṟuthainthu / solliya gñāṉasam banthaṉ nalla / thaṉṉisai yāṟsoṉṉa mālaipaththun / thāṅkaval lārpukazh thāṅkuvārē

    Photos

    Photographs

    16 photographs, in the order they appear in the write-up. Captions are AI-assisted.

    Stone entrance gateway with a lattice dome in a yellow wall, shrine roofs and trees behind
    Stone gateway with a domed top in a yellow wall, with Tamil writing on the wall at right
    Domed stone shrines and a green shrine with an open doorway across a bare paved courtyard
    Stone figure with folded hands, wearing a flower, stands in a niche beside a small lingam
    Dark stone Vinayakar with a flower on the head and a mark on the forehead, seated on a stepped base
    Small shrine with a painted Vinayakar above an arched doorway, with trees behind
    Small shrine with an arched doorway and three painted figures in a blue niche on its roof
    Colourful painted tower with figures behind a small grey shrine with a domed roof and an open door
    Dim shrine doorway under a red Tamil name board, with the Goddess lit by a lamp inside
    Black stone seated idol with a white cloth, flanked by small carved figures on both sides
    Two dark stone lingams on a stone platform, with a white cloth hanging over its edge
    Weathered yellow corridor walls with domed roofs and a painted tower, and a small arched shrine in front
    Small domed shrines with barred windows beside a blue shrine topped with three painted figures
    Tower in green, pink and blue with sculpted figures, and domed roofs in front of a cloudy sky
    Shrines in a row: a domed one with a yellow lattice pattern, barred windows, and a blue one with painted figures
    Old stone walls and weathered roofs of the sanctum beside two painted domed tower tops, under a grey sky