Tirunallam Umamaheswarar Temple

Getting there

• By train

  Trains run to Mayiladuthurai Junction, which lies on the main line connecting Chennai with Tiruchirappalli.

• By road

  Konerirajapuram village is 22 km by road from Kumbakonam.

Why devotees come here

Tirunallam Umamaheswarar Temple is a Shiva temple in Konerirajapuram, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams praised in the Tevaram hymns. It is famed for a Nataraja bronze, considered one of the largest and finest Chola bronzes.

Tirunallam Umamaheswarar Temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, the Shiva temples praised in the Tevaram hymns. Shiva is worshipped here as Umamaheswarar. Parvati is worshipped as Deha Soundari and also as Angavala Nayaki. The temple is famed for a Nataraja bronze, considered one of the largest and finest Chola bronzes still in existence.

The temple was rebuilt in stone in the 10th century under Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi, widow of the Chola king Gandaraditya and mother of Uttama Chola. Her patronage links the temple to the Chola dynasty. It may first have been a brick temple before the stone rebuilding. It was once known as Gandaradittam.

The temple follows the typical Dravidian layout. The front mandapam ceiling has paintings dating to the last century that show the Sthala Puranam and festivals. A stone carving shows King Gandaraditya Chola worshipping a Shiva linga, and the sacred tank is called Brahma Tirtham.

Festivals

• Shivaratri dayMaha Shivaratri

  The bronze Nataraja icon is taken in procession during the celebration.

Tips for your visit

• The front mandapam ceiling has paintings of the Sthala Puranam and festivals.
• A stone carving shows King Gandaraditya Chola worshipping a Shiva linga.
• The sacred tank is called Brahma Tirtham, also known as the Pushkarini.
• Parvati is worshipped here as Deha Soundari and also as Angavala Nayaki.

Questions people ask