Vridhagiriswarar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Chennai is the nearest international airport, about 200 km from the district.

• By train

  Vriddhachalam Junction is on the Chennai to Madurai line, and it also connects to Salem, Cuddalore and Puducherry. A branch line links Cuddalore Port Junction to the junction via Neyveli and Vadalur.

• By road

  Vridhachalam is about 50 km from Cuddalore town, the district headquarters. Road transport in Cuddalore district is very good, and national highways NH45 and NH45A run through it.

Why devotees come here

Vridhagiriswarar Temple stands in Vridhachalam, a municipality in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Shiva and is also called Pazhamalai Nadhar Temple. Its stone inscriptions name many Chola and Pandya kings.

Vridhagiriswarar Temple stands in the heart of Vridhachalam, a town in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Pazhamalai Nadhar Temple. According to the legend, Shiva appeared as a mountain, which was named Pazha malai, meaning old mountain. Brahma is said to have worshipped Shiva in that form.

In the legend, Shiva then said the hill would stand on earth as a linga, and that those who worshipped it would get all they wished for. The stone inscriptions at the temple name many kings. Chola rulers named include Paraanthaga Chola, Uthama Chola, Raja Raja Chola and Rajendira Chola.

Pandya kings are named too, among them Vikrama Pandian, Veera Pandiyan and Sundara Pandiyan. The inscriptions name kings from both the Chola and Pandya lines.

Tips for your visit

• The temple stands in the heart of the town.
• The walls inside have 72 dance postures carved as sculptures.

Questions people ask