Dharisanam ENதமிழ்
The Rajagopuram, a colourful tower, rising above the entrance wall against a blue sky
Swayambu

Thiruchaikkadu Sri Rathna Chaayavaneswarar Temple 9th of 63 on the north bank of the Kaveri · Chola Nadu · Temples near Mayiladuthurai

Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Moolavar
Rathina Chaayavaneswarar, Indreswarar
Ambal
Kuyilinum Nanmozhi Ammai, Kokilavani,Goshambaal
Theertham
Sangumukha Theertham, Iraavada Theertham, River Kaveri
Sthala vriksham
Chai plants (Korai plants)
Pathigam by
Thirugnanasambanthar and Thirunavukarasar (Appar)

Temple

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

Location

Thiruchaikkadu is situated at a distance of about 20 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the Mayiladuthurai to Poompuhar route. From Sirkazhi, it is about 17 kms.

Other Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams near this temple are – Thiruppallavaneecharam (Poompuhar), Thiruvenkadu, Kezhai Thirukkattuppalli, Thirukkalikkamur (Annappan Pettai), Pariyal Veerattam, Thiruchempon Palli, Nani Palli, Valampuram, Thalaichangadu, Aakkur, Thirukkadaiyur and Thirukkadaiyur Mayanam.

General Information

Moolavar
Sri Rathina Chaayavaneswarar, Sri Indreswarar
Ambal
Sri Kuyilinum Nanmozhi Ammai, Sri Kokilavani,
Sri Goshambaal
Theertham (Holy water)
Sangumukha Theertham, Iraavada Theertham, River Kaveri
Sthala Vriksham (Sacred Tree)
Chai plants (Korai plants)
Pathigam (Hymn) rendered by
Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar)
  • This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 9th 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 6 Shiva Sthalams on the banks of the river Cauvery that are considered to be equal in significance to Kasi (Banaras). The others being (1) Thiruvaiyaru, (2) Mayiladuthurai, (3) Thiruvenkadu, (4) Thiruvidaimaruthur, and (5) Thiruvanchiyam.
  • This is the birth place of Eyarpagai Nayanar, one of 63 Nayanmars. It is believed that Eyarpagai Nayanar and his wife attained salvation here.
  • This temple is counted as one of the seventy Maadak Koils built by King Kochengat Cholan.
  • Both Chayavanam and Pallavaneecharam temples are situated in Poompuhar.
  • This east facing temple has 2 corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 3-tiers. There is no flag post here.
  • There are two beautiful entrance arches – one on the eastern side and the other on the southern side.
  • The last consecration ceremony (Maha Kumbabishekam) took place on 24.05.2010 and prior to that on 19.08.1956.

History of the Temple

Poompuhaar was the capital of the Chola kingdom.

According to legend, in ancient times, this region was a forest densely covered with “Chai” plants (“Korai” in Tamil). Hence this place gets the name “Chayavanam” (“Vanam” means forest in Tamil). Other historical names of this place are Chaikadu and Melayur.

There are 13 stone inscriptions available here – 10 are from the period of the Chola kingdom (Vikraman, Rajarajan, Kulothungan-III and Rajendran) and the rest of the 3 are from the time of Pandiya kingdom (Sundara Pandiyan). In one of the inscriptions, this place’s name is mentioned as “Rajathiraja valanaattu Nangoor Naattu Kaveripoompattinaththu Thiruchaikkadu”.

A painted arch with figures on top spans a village road lined with coconut palms
A tall gopuram rises behind a stone wall and an open courtyard
A blue arch stands at the top of steps leading down to a tank, with trees behind

Legend

The legend is that Athithi, mother of Indran, had a desire to come to earth and worship Lord Chayavaneswarar. She came to this place and worshiped the lord. When Indran came to know that his mother was so enamoured by this place, he decided to take this temple to his place where his mother could worship the lord every day. He tried pulling the temple using his white elephant Iraavadham. However, even Iraavadham’s enormous strength could not move it.

At this point it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared before Indran and asked him to drop this idea and ask his mother to perform her worship here itself. The scar due to the lingam being tied to the elephant can still be seen on the lingam. Lord Shiva’s shrine in this temple also looks like a chariot. When the elephant was about to pull the temple, its tusk hit the earth. A pond was created there that is now known as “Iraavada Theertham”.

Also, it is believed that during this event, Goddess Parvathy made a sound that was sweeter than a nightingale (“Kuyil” in Tamil). Hence, she is praised as “Kuyilinum Nanmozhi Ammai”.

Another legend associated with this temple is that of Eyarpagai Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanars. He was born and attained salvation in this place. It is believed that both Eyarpagai Nayanar and his wife, Karpinukarasiyar, were staunch devotees of Lord Shiva. They used to fulfil the needs of devotees with lots of devotion. Lord Shiva wanted to showcase their high standards of devotion to the entire world. He came to his house in the form of a Shiva devotee and praised the Nayanar about his services to Shiva devotees. When the Nayanar asked him what he needed, Lord Shiva asked him to send his wife with him for help. Without any hesitation, Nayanar asked his wife to go with the devotee which she also obeyed.

When Nayanar asked the devotee whether he is expecting anything else, the devotee asked Nayanar to accompany him with his wife as an escort till the border of the village. The devotee further told the Nayanar that they might be attacked by the local people and his relatives. Nayanar agreed to this also and escorted them with a long sword till the border of the place. Nayanar resisted the opposition of the people and took them safely till the border. Nayanar was then asked to go back. When he turned around and started walking, the devotee called him loudly. When Nayanar turned around, he saw that the devotee had disappeared and in his place stood Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy seated on Lord Shiva’s bull mount. Lord Shiva explained to him that he was involved in this trickery only because he wanted to showcase to the world their exemplary devotion.

It is believed that Sage Upamanyu also worshiped Lord Shiva here.

Deities in the temple

Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of lords Vinayakar, Murugan, Gajalakshmi, Bairavar, Navagraham, Suryan, Indran and the Moovars can be seen in the corridors.

Since this temple legend involves Saint Iyarpagai Nayanar and his wife, there is a separate idol for them in the corridor.

A whitewashed corridor shrine with a small figure of Vinayakar above its centre
A white corridor shrine with three painted figures set on the roof above a dark doorway
A white arched corridor with a painted seated goddess above the middle arch
A dark stone idol in a niche, with a Tamil label naming Dakshinamurthi above it
A small black idol in white cloth stands before a wall with Indran written in Tamil
Two small idols stand before a wall labelled Eyarpagai Nayanar and Karpinukarasiyar
Three small black idols in white cloth stand in a row beneath Tamil name labels

Salient Features

The procession idol of Lord Subramanyar here is very beautiful. He is seen with his peacock, holding the bow and arrow instead of his usual weapon “Vel” (spear). He looks battle-ready. Such a depiction of Lord Subramanyar is quite unique.

A garlanded Murugan idol with a peacock beside it, seen through a metal grille

It is believed that this idol of Lord Subramanyar belongs to the Thiruchendur temple. It was smuggled and carried away by Dutch sailors in 1648 but their ship got stuck in mid-sea. They feared that this was due to the idol that they stole. They threw the idol in the sea near Kavery Poompattinam (Poompuhar). Later it was found by fishermen and it was brought to this temple. Incidentally, the name “Senthilandavar” (the name of the lord at Thiruchendur) is engraved at the bottom of the idol.

Lord Subramanyar also wears the Veeragandamani (anklet) in his right leg. This was given to him by his father Lord Shiva. While Goddess Paarvathy offered the “Vel” to Lord Subramanyar, the lord gave him the “Veeragandamani”, both of which he used to destroy his enemies.

In his hymn, Saint Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned that both Chayavanam and Pallavaneecharam temples are situated in Poompuhar.

Saint Iyadigal Kadavarkon has also rendered a pathigam praising the lord of this temple.

It is believed that King Kochengat Chola built 70 “Madakkoils”. The distinguishing feature of a Madakkoil is that it is not easily approachable by an elephant. He built these temples at an elevation and there are a few steps that need to be climbed before seeing the lord. Also, the sanctum sanctorum’s (Karpagragam) entrance is narrow such that no elephant can enter it.

A long stone wall with a domed mandapam at the corner and a few steps leading up
A small domed mandapam on pillars stands at the corner of the stone wall, with steps

The sanctum sanctorum is in the form of semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).

The temple of “Goddess Sampapathi Amman”, the guardian deity of Poompuhar is located near this temple. This goddess is believed to have been worshipped by Kannaki, Madhavi and Manimekalai (characters of Silapathikaram) of the Sangam era.

Greatness of this temple

Those who are afraid of their enemies can worship Lord Subramanyar here for courage and strength.

Important Festivals

Some of the important festivals celebrated in this temple are -
21-day Indira Vizha in the Tamil month of Chittirai (Apr-May),
Saint Kumara Guruparar Guru Puja in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June) and
5-day Eyarpagai Nayanar festival in the Tamil month of Markazhi (Dec-Jan).

Pradosham is also observed regularly.

Temple Timings

From 07:00 AM to 12.00 Noon and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM.

Temple Address

Sri Chayavaneswarar Temple,
Chayavanam
Kaveri Poompattinam Post,
Sirkazhi Taluk,
Nagapatinam District,
Tamil Nadu – 609105.
Tele: 04364-260151.

*
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Today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone04364-260151
A long stone wall with a small gate tower and domes rising above the roofline
A tiled gopuram stands above the entrance, with the courtyard and corridor in front
A tall dark stone wall with a domed roof at the far end, over a paved courtyard
A stone wall on the right, with a white arched corridor on the left across the courtyard
Several small domes rise above a long stone wall, seen from the courtyard
A blue and yellow gate tower with a standing figure above, and notice boards at its side

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 Thiruchaikkadu great

The write-up points to a battle-ready Subramanyar, a self-manifested Shiva and a place counted equal to Kasi.

  1. A unique SubramanyarThe procession idol holds the bow and arrow instead of the usual Vel, and looks battle-ready.
  2. A self-manifested ShivaLord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).
  3. Equal in significance to KasiIt is one of the 6 Shiva Sthalams on the Cauvery banks considered equal in significance to Kasi (Banaras).
  4. A sanctum shaped like a tankThe sanctum sanctorum is in the form of a semi-circular tank (akazhi in Tamil).
Significance

Its place in the tradition

A Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, sung by saints and linked to Eyarpagai Nayanar and King Kochengat Cholan.

  1. On the northern bankOne of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and the 9th on the northern bank of the Cauvery in Chozha Nadu.
  2. Sung by saintsThe Pathigam was rendered by Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar).
  3. Where Eyarpagai Nayanar was bornThis is the birth place of Eyarpagai Nayanar, one of 63 Nayanmars.
  4. A Maadak KoilThe temple is counted as one of the seventy Maadak Koils built by King Kochengat Cholan.
Why devotees come

Why devotees come here

The write-up names courage, the festivals and the devotion of Eyarpagai Nayanar.

  1. For courage and strengthThose who are afraid of their enemies can worship Lord Subramanyar here for courage and strength.
  2. For the festivalsA 21-day Indira Vizha in Chittirai and a 5-day Eyarpagai Nayanar festival in Markazhi are celebrated.
  3. For PradoshamPradosham is also observed regularly.
The three-tier Rajagopuram of the temple
276Paadal Petra Sthalams

One of the Paadal Petra Sthalams

Chayavanam, the forest of Chai plants

  1. சாய்Chai plants (Korai in Tamil)
  2. வனம்forest

The write-up says the region was once a forest densely covered with Chai plants.

Chaikadu and Melayur

    Legends of the temple

    Indran tried pulling the temple away with his white elephant Iraavadham, but could not move it. The tusk hit the earth and made Iraavada Theertham.

    Goddess Parvathy made a sound sweeter than a nightingale, so she is praised as Kuyilinum Nanmozhi Ammai.

    Lord Shiva came as a devotee and tested Eyarpagai Nayanar, who gave his wife and then escorted them; Shiva then revealed himself.

    It is believed the Subramanyar idol belongs to Thiruchendur, was thrown into the sea by Dutch sailors, and was found by fishermen.

    Saints of Thiruchaikkadu

    1. ThirugnanasambantharHis hymn says Chayavanam and Pallavaneecharam temples are situated in Poompuhar.
    2. Thirunavukarasar (Appar)Rendered a Pathigam here along with Saint Thirugnanasambanthar.
    3. Iyadigal KadavarkonHas also rendered a pathigam praising the lord of this temple.
    4. Eyarpagai NayanarBorn here; he and his wife are believed to have attained salvation here.

    Festivals through the year

      Indira Vizha in Chittirai, Guru Puja in Vaikasi and the Eyarpagai Nayanar festival in Markazhi, with regular Pradosham.

      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
      Moolavarசா
      Moolavar

      Sri Rathina Chaayavaneswarar

      Lord Shiva in this temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).

      Ambalகு
      Ambal

      Sri Kuyilinum Nanmozhi Ammai

      Goddess Parvathy made a sound that was sweeter than a nightingale, so she is praised as Kuyilinum Nanmozhi Ammai.

      A small black idol in white cloth stands before a wall with Indran written in Tamil
      Shrine in the corridor

      Indran

      Shrines and idols of Indran and others can be seen in the corridors.

      Two small idols stand before a wall labelled Eyarpagai Nayanar and Karpinukarasiyar
      Shrine in the corridor

      Eyarpagai Nayanar and his wife

      Since the temple legend involves Saint Iyarpagai Nayanar and his wife, there is a separate idol for them in the corridor.

      A garlanded Murugan idol with a peacock beside it, seen through a metal grille
      Procession idol

      Lord Subramanyar

      He is seen with his peacock, holding the bow and arrow instead of his usual weapon Vel (spear). He looks battle-ready.

      Nearby templeசம்
      Nearby temple

      Goddess Sampapathi Amman

      The guardian deity of Poompuhar, whose temple is near this temple.

      Visit & map

      Sacred geography
      Thiruchaikkadu Thiru Valampuram Thiru Aakkur Thiru Nanipalli Thirukkalikkamur Thiruppallavaneecharam Thiruvenkadu Thiruchemponpalli Thirukkadavur Veerattam Thiru Parialur Thirukannaar Koil Thiru Vilanagar
      You are hereThis temple

      Schematic. Distances as recorded on the visit; directions approximate.

      12a6a12p6p
      Darshan today7:00 am – 12:00 noon, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
      7:00 – 12:005:00 – 8:00 pm

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

      Plan the day around it

      Address and phone

      Sri Chayavaneswarar Temple, Chayavanam, Kaveri Poompattinam Post, Sirkazhi Taluk, Nagapatinam District, Tamil Nadu – 609105.

      04364-260151

      *

      A day of darshan nearby

      5 more sthalams within reach, nearest first: 15.9 km in straight lines.

      Map of Thiruchaikkadu and the sthalams nearby, in route order: Thalaichangadu, Thiru Valampuram, Thiruppallavaneecharam, Thiruvenkadu, Thiru Nanipalli. Thirukannaar Koil · 8.4 km Thiruchaikkadu 1 2 Thiru Valampuram 3 Thiruppallavaneecharam 4 Thiruvenkadu 5 2 km N
      Drawn from coordinates. Straight-line distances; roads are longer. Faint dots are other sthalams within 50 km.

      Temple plan

      The Rajagopuram, a colourful tower, rising above the entrance wall against a blue sky
      01

      Arriving at the temple

      Thiruchaikkadu is situated at a distance of about 20 kms from Mayiladuthurai on the Mayiladuthurai to Poompuhar route.

      1 / 6

      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 11.

      Niththalun niyamañ seythunīr malarthūvich
      chiththamoṉt ṟavallārk karuḷuñ sivaṉkōyil
      maththayā ṉaiyiṉkō ṭumvaṇpī liyumvāri
      thaththunīrp poṉṉi sākaramēvu chāykkādē

      Saaykkadu is the temple of Shiva, who grants grace to those who worship daily with discipline, scattering water and flowers, and can hold the mind steady on him. It is the place where the Ponni, with its leaping waters, sweeps along elephant tusks and peacock feathers and reaches the sea.

      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 eleven verses

      1. 01

        நித்தலுந் நியமஞ் செய்துநீர் மலர்தூவிச்சித்தமொன் றவல்லார்க் கருளுஞ் சிவன்கோயில்மத்தயா னையின்கோ டும்வண்பீ லியும்வாரிதத்துநீர்ப் பொன்னி சாகரமேவு சாய்க்காடே

        Niththalun niyamañ seythunīr malarthūvich / chiththamoṉt ṟavallārk karuḷuñ sivaṉkōyil / maththayā ṉaiyiṉkō ṭumvaṇpī liyumvāri / thaththunīrp poṉṉi sākaramēvu chāykkādē

      2. 02

        பண்டலைக் கொண்டு பூதங்கள் பாடநின்றாடும்வெண்டலைக் கருங்கா டுறைவே தியன்கோயில்கொண்டலைத் திகழ்பே ரிமுழங் கக்குலாவித்தண்டலைத் தடமா மயிலாடு சாய்க்காடே

        Paṇṭalaik koṇdu pūthaṅkaḷ pāṭaniṉtṟāṭum / veṇṭalaik karuṅkā ṭuṟaivē thiyaṉkōyil / koṇṭalaith thikazhpē rimuzhaṅ kakkulāvith / thaṇṭalaith thaṭamā mayilāṭu chāykkādē

      3. 03

        நாறுகூ விளநா கிளவெண் மதியத்தோ(டு)ஆறுசூ டும்அம ரர்பிரா னுறைகோயில்ஊறுதேங் கனிமாங் கனியோங் கியசோலைத்தாறுதண் கதலிப் புதல்மேவு சாய்க்காடே

        Nāṟukū viḷanā kiḷaveṇ mathiyaththō(du) / āṟusū dumama rarpirā ṉuṟaikōyil / ūṟuthēṅ kaṉimāṅ kaṉiyōṅ kiyachōlaith / thāṟuthaṇ kathalip puthalmēvu chāykkādē

      4. 04

        வரங்கள்வண் புகழ்மன் னியஎந்தை மருவார்புரங்கள்மூன் றும்பொடி படஎய் தவன்கோயில்இரங்கலோ சையுமீட் டியசரத் தொடுமீண்டித்தரங்கநீள் கழித்தண் கரைவைகு சாய்க்காடே

        Varaṅkaḷvaṇ pukazhmaṉ ṉiya'enthai maruvār / puraṅkaḷmūṉt ṟumpoṭi paṭa'ey thavaṉkōyil / iraṅkalō saiyumīṭ ṭiyasarath thoṭumīṇṭith / tharaṅkanīḷ kazhiththaṇ karaivaiku chāykkādē

      5. 05

        ஏழைமார் கடைதோ றுமிடு பலிக்கென்றுகூழைவா ளரவாட் டும்பிரா னுறைகோயில்மாழையொண் கண்வளைக் கைநுளைச் சியர்வண்பூந்தாழைவெண் மடற்கொய்து கொண்டாடு சாய்க்காடே

        zhaimār kaṭaithō ṟumiṭu palikkeṉtṟu / kūzhaivā ḷaravāṭ ṭumpirā ṉuṟaikōyil / māzhaiyoṇ kaṇvaḷaik kainuḷaich chiyarvaṇpūn / thāzhaiveṇ maṭaṟkoythu koṇṭāṭu chāykkādē

      6. 06

        துங்கவா னவர்சூழ் கடல்தாம் கடைபோதில்அங்கொர்நீ ழலளித் தஎம்மா னுறைகோயில்வங்கம்அங் கொளிர்இப் பியும்முத் தும்மணியுஞ்சங்கும்வா ரித்தடங் கடலுந்து சாய்க்காடே

        Thuṅkavā ṉavarchūzh kaṭalthām kaṭaipōthil / aṅkornī zhalaḷith tha'em'mā ṉuṟaikōyil / vaṅkamaṅ koḷir'ip piyum'muth thum'maṇiyuñ / chaṅkumvā riththaṭaṅ kaṭalunthu chāykkādē

      7. 07

        வேதநா வினர்வெண் பளிங்கின் குழைக்காதர்ஓதநஞ் சணிகண் டருகந் துறைகோயில்மாதர்வண் டுதன்கா தல்வண்டா டியபுன்னைத்தாதுகண் டுபொழில் மறைந்தூடு சாய்க்காடே

        Vēthanā viṉarveṇ paḷiṅkiṉ kuzhaikkāthar / ōthanañ chaṇikaṇ ṭarukan thuṟaikōyil / mātharvaṇ ṭuthaṉkā thalvaṇṭā ṭiyapuṉṉaith / thāthukaṇ ṭupozhil maṟainthūṭu chāykkādē

      8. 08

        இருக்குநீள் வரைபற் றியடர்த் தன்றெடுத்தஅரக்கன் ஆகம்நெரித் தருள்செய் தவன்கோயில்மருக்குலா வியமல் லிகைசண் பகம்வண்பூந்தருக்குலா வியதண் பொழில்நீடு சாய்க்காடே

        Irukkunīḷ varaipat ṟiyaṭarth thaṉtṟeṭuththa / arakkaṉ ākamnerith tharuḷsey thavaṉkōyil / marukkulā viyamal likaisaṇ pakamvaṇpūn / tharukkulā viyathaṇ pozhilnīṭu chāykkādē

      9. 09

        மாலினோ டயன்காண் டற்கரி யவர்வாய்ந்தவேலையார் விடமுண் டவர்மே வியகோயில்சேலின்நேர் விழியார் மயிலா லச்செருந்திகாலையே கனகம் மலர்கின்ற சாய்க்காடே

        Māliṉō ṭayaṉkāṇ ṭaṟkari yavarvāyntha / vēlaiyār viṭamuṇ ṭavarmē viyakōyil / sēliṉnēr vizhiyār mayilā lachcherunthi / kālaiyē kaṉakam malarkiṉtṟa chāykkādē

      10. 10

        ஊத்தைவாய்ச் சமண்கை யர்கள்சாக் கியர்க்கென்றும்ஆத்தமா கஅறி வரிதா யவன்கோயில்வாய்த்தமா ளிகைசூழ் தருவண் புகார்மாடேபூத்த வாவிகள் சூழ்ந் துபொலிந்த சாய்க்காடே

        Ūththaivāych samaṇkai yarkaḷchāk kiyarkkeṉtṟum / āththamā ka'aṟi varithā yavaṉkōyil / vāyththamā ḷikaichūzh tharuvaṇ pukārmādē / pūththa vāvikaḷ chūzhn thupolintha chāykkādē

      11. 11

        ஏனையோர் புகழ்ந்தேத் தியஎந்தை சாய்க்காட்டைஞானசம் பந்தன்கா ழியர்கோன் நவில்பத்தும்ஊனமின் றியுரை செயவல் லவர்தாம்போய்வானநா டினிதாள் வர்இம்மா நிலத்தோரே

        The last verse says that those who can recite this hymn by Gnanasambandan of Kazhi, in praise of the lord of Saaykkadu, will reach and rule the heavenly world.

        Ēṉaiyōr pukazhnthēth thiya'enthai chāykkāṭṭai / ñāṉasam banthaṉkā zhiyarkōṉ navilpaththum / ūṉamiṉt ṟiyurai seyaval lavarthāmpōy / vāṉanā ṭiṉithāḷ var'im'mā nilaththōrē

      Photos

      Photographs

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

      The Rajagopuram, a colourful tower, rising above the entrance wall against a blue sky
      A painted arch with figures on top spans a village road lined with coconut palms
      A tall gopuram rises behind a stone wall and an open courtyard
      A blue arch stands at the top of steps leading down to a tank, with trees behind
      A whitewashed corridor shrine with a small figure of Vinayakar above its centre
      A white corridor shrine with three painted figures set on the roof above a dark doorway
      A white arched corridor with a painted seated goddess above the middle arch
      A dark stone idol in a niche, with a Tamil label naming Dakshinamurthi above it
      A small black idol in white cloth stands before a wall with Indran written in Tamil
      Two small idols stand before a wall labelled Eyarpagai Nayanar and Karpinukarasiyar
      Three small black idols in white cloth stand in a row beneath Tamil name labels
      A garlanded Murugan idol with a peacock beside it, seen through a metal grille
      A long stone wall with a domed mandapam at the corner and a few steps leading up
      A small domed mandapam on pillars stands at the corner of the stone wall, with steps
      A long stone wall with a small gate tower and domes rising above the roofline
      A tiled gopuram stands above the entrance, with the courtyard and corridor in front
      A tall dark stone wall with a domed roof at the far end, over a paved courtyard
      A stone wall on the right, with a white arched corridor on the left across the courtyard
      Several small domes rise above a long stone wall, seen from the courtyard
      A blue and yellow gate tower with a standing figure above, and notice boards at its side