Thenkurangaduthurai Temple

Getting there

• By road

  The temple is 14 km from Kumbakonam, on the Kumbakonam to Mayiladuthurai road.

Why devotees come here

Thenkurangaduthurai Temple stands in Aduthurai, near Kumbakonam, and is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the Saiva canon. Shiva is worshipped here as Apathsaheswarar, in the form of the lingam, and the Cholas first built the temple.

The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams glorified in the Saiva canon, and its presiding deity is revered in the Tevaram, a 7th century Tamil Saiva work. Sugriva is believed to have prayed to Shiva at this place. Legend says Shiva is called Apathsaheswarar because he came down to save a devotee in danger.

The temple was originally built by the Cholas, and around fifteen of their inscriptions are found here. The present masonry structure was built during the Nayak period in the 16th century. It follows the Dravidian style, with vimanas (the towers over the sanctums) and a three-storied gopuram (a gateway tower). The tallest of its two gateway towers is the western one, with five stories and a height of 72 feet. The sanctum sits in line with the entrance tower and faces east.

Among the temple's notable images are the Nataraja stone and bronze images, which are attributed to the Chola queen Sembiyan Mahadevi.

Festivals

• February or MarchMasi Maham

  A festival held in the Tamil month of Maasi.

• October or NovemberAippasi Annabhishekam

  The most prominent festival at the temple.

Tips for your visit

• If you are interested in Chola art, look for the Nataraja stone and bronze images, which are attributed to Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi.
• Plan around the Aippasi Annabhishekam in October or November, the most prominent festival, or Masi Maham in February or March.

Questions people ask