Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department

ARULMIGU THIRU ILANJI KUMARAR THIRUKKOIL, ILANJI

• Legends attribute the credit of renovation of this temple, which was in existence already, to Kulasekara Pandiyan, who ruled during 14th Century A.D.
• Saint Arunagirinathar had sung in praise of the Presiding Deity of this Shrine.

ARULMIGU KASIVISWANATHA SWAMY THIRUKKOIL, TENKASI

• The reputation of Tenkasi rests chiefly in its temple, which has a nine storied, 178 feet tall tower and 11 pillared Durbar hall with gorgeous sculptures.
• King Arikesari Jatilavarman Parakrama Pandiyan, who belongs to later Pandiya clan known as Tenkasi Pandiyas, started the construction of this temple on 06.05.1446, which was the 25th year of his reign and consecrated it on 10.07.1447.
• The vicinity known as Thennaari Naadu earlier, turned Tenkasi, named after the abode of presiding Deity of this temple.

ARULMIGU KUTRAALANATHA SWAMY THIRUKKOIL, KUTRAALAM

• Antiquity of this temple can be traced in Sangam Age Tamil Literature.
• It is believed that Sage Agastiyar had converted the idol of Vishnu into a Shivalinga here.
• This temple is referred to in Devaram sung by Saint Thirugnana Sambanthar ascribed to the Seventh Century A.D.
• Saivite Saints Sundarar and Manickavasakar too sung in praise of this shrine.
• Saint Arunagirinathar referred this shrine in his hymns.
• Chitra Sabha, one among the five famous dancing halls where Lord Nataraja performs his cosmic dance is located here.

CHITRASABHAI, THIRUKUTRALLAM

• One among the five dancing halls of Lord Nataraja, where he performed his Cosmic Dance.
• The walls are all decorated throughout with paintings of various Gods and goddesses, made up of herbal colours, built in the fifteenth century by the ruler Parakrama Pandiyan.

ARULMIGU KAILASANATHASWAMY THIRUKKOIL, VEERASIKAMANI

• This is a rock cut temple ascribed to Sixth Century A.D, when the temple architecture reached a new dimension of evolution, to excavate rocks to build temples.
• The image of Lord Vinayaka carved in the rock here is considered to be the primitive one among the Vinayaka idols available in Tamilnadu.

ARULMIGU SANKARANARAYANA SWAMY THIRUKKOIL, SANKARANKOVIL

• Lord Shiva, the paramount God of Saivism and Lord Vishnu, the Superior God of Vaishnavism conjoin together in a same idol with name Sankaranarayanar. It symbolizes unity of Saivism and Vaishnavism, two major parts of Hindu Religion.
• A temple built in the 10th century A.D, it poses as an example of marvelous architecture that the sunlight of dawn enters the sanctum of Lord Sankaralinga Swamy on the days of equinox viz., 21,22 & 23rd days of the months of March and September every year.
• The ten days festival in the month of July known as Adi Tapasu commemorating the penance done by Gomathi Amman, the consort of Lord Sankaralinga Swamy attracts a lot of devotees.
• This temple is the chief of Panchabootha Sthalas of South, the five places each of which represents one of the five elements. The element typified here is Earth.

ARULMIGU VILVAVANANATHA SWAMY THIRUKKOIL, KADAYAM

• Located amidst the lushly green paddy field at the serene foothills of Western Ghats.
• The famous verse of Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathi, “Kaani Nilam Vendum Parasakthi” took birth here at this temple.

ARULMIGU PARAMAKALYANI & SIVASAILANATHA SWAMY THIRUKKOIL, SIVASAILAM

• West facing Shiva Temple, an unusual, rare phenomenon.
• Shivalinga with hair in the backside, an unusual phenomenon, with which can be seen from all the four directions.
• Four handed Goddess idol.
• Gorgeous Nandhi, believed to be sculpted by Mayan the Chief sculptor of Heaven attracts all.

ARULMIGU THIRUMALAIKUMARASWAMY THIRUKKOIL, PANPOZHI

• It is believed that Kaviaramalai, a place ruled by feudal ruler of Sangam Age, Aiy Andiran is this place
• Saint Arunagirinadhar praised this shrine in his hymns.
• It has become a place of tourism attraction now-a-days, as it is surrounded by Western Ghats and with road approach atop the hillock.

ARULMIGU CINTHAMANINADHA SWAMY THIRUKKOIL, VASUDEVANALLUR

• Its antiquity dates back to 14th Century A.D
• It is dedicated to Ardhanareeswarar, whose symbol is not a Lingam, but an image, parted the image with his consort. This is a rare phenomenon witnessed here, other than Thiruchengodu in Namakkal district.

ARULMIGU NARASINGAPERUMAL THIRUKKOIL, KEEZHAPAVOOR

• History of this temple dates back to 10th Century A.D., the imperial Chola reign
• Presiding deity poses with 16 hands, performing destruction of Hiranyakasibu.