Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu


has innumerable temples dedicated to him throughout the length and breadth of India. The most temples are most likely in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, where there are 2,500 Shiva temples of importance. There are several kinds of temples in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Pancha Bootha Sthalangal

Pancha Booth Sthalangal are the temples that are the manifestation of the five elements – land, water, air, sky, and fire.
SI.NoImageTempleElementPlace
1Sri Ekambaranathar TempleLandKanchipuram
2Arunachaleshwarar TempleFireThiruvannaamalai
3Jambukeswarar TempleWaterTrichy
4Thillai Nataraja TempleSkyChidambaram
5Srikalahasti TempleAirKalahasthi

Pancha Sabhai Sthalangal

Panch Sabhai Sthalangal are the temples where Lord Shiva is believed to have performed the Cosmic Dance.
SI.NoImageTempleSabhaiPlace
1Sri Vadaranyeswarar TempleRathinachabaiThiruvalangadu
2Chidambaram TemplePorchabaiChidambaram
3Sundareswarar TempleVellichabaiMadurai
4Nellaiappar TempleThamirachabaiTirunelveli
5Kutralanathar TempleChithirachabaiKutralam

Paadal Petra Sthalangal

Shiva Temples which are glorified in Tamil Tevaram hymns are the Paadal Petra Sthalangal and have been in existence for more than 1,000 years. References to these temples are found in Tevaram Hymns, composed and authored by the 3 NayanamarsThirunavukarasar, Sambandar and Sundarar who lived between 7th and 9th century A.D.
There is approximately 275 Temples of this kind:

Chennai Paadalpetra Sthalangal

SI.NoImageTemple NameLocationDistance / Route
1Thiyagaraja Swamy TempleThiruvotriyurNorth Chennai
2Kapaleeswarar templeThirumayilaiChennai
3Marundeeswarar TempleThiruvanmiyurChennai
4Tiruvaleeswarar templeThiruvalithaayamChennai
5Masilamaniswarar TempleThirumullaivayilchennai-Avadi road
7Vedapureeswarar TempleThiruverkaduchennai-Poonamallee road, 2 km West of Thiruverkadu Karumari Amman Temple
8Vaacheeswarar TempleThirupasoor5 km West of Tiruvallur
9Idaisuranathar TempleThiruidaichuram7 km in ChengalpetTiruporur Road
10Marundeeshwarar TempleThirukachoor2 km North-West of Singaperumalkoil
11Vataaranyaeswarar TempleThiruvaalangadu16 km from Tiruvallur
12Kalahasteeswarar TempleKalahasthi110 km from Chennai in Andhra Pradesh
13Undreeshwarar TempleThiruvenbakkamPoondi, 12 km North-West of Tiruvallur
14Arambeswarar TempleIlambayam Kottur25 km West of Sriperumbudur
15Tripuranthakar TempleThiruvirkolamKoovam, 3 km from Ilambayam kottur
16Vedagiriswarar templeThirukazhukundramChennai - Mamallapuram - Chengalpattu Road
17Aaksheeswarar TempleAchirupaakkam16 km South of Madurantakam
18Thirukalleeswarar TempleTirukandalam 36 km North of Chennai, on the Periyapalayam Road

Kancheepuram Paadalpetra Sthalangal

SI.NoImageTemple NameLocationDistance / Route
1Ekambareswarar TempleKancheepuramThe temple tower is the tallest there and visible long before you reach Kancheepuram
2Maakaraleeswarar TempleThirumaagaral16 km South in Kancheepuram - Uthiramerur Road
3Valeeswarar TempleKuranganilmuttam7 km in Kancheepuram - Cheyyar Road.
Reach Thoosi and proceed 2 km East to reach this temple.
4Thalapurishwarar Temple/Kirubanathiswarar TempleThiruppanangadu10 km from Kancheepuram on the south bank of Palar.
5Vedapureeswarar TempleThiruvothur30 km South-West of Kancheepuram. On the banks of Cheyyar river
6Manikandeswarar TempleThirumarperu12 km North-West of Kancheepuram
7Thiruveeral TempleThiruveeral17 km in Kancheepuram – Arakkonam road
8Vilwanatheswarar TempleTiruvallam12 km east of Katpadi, 50 km from Kancheepuram

Panrutti

Tindivanam

Thirukkoviloor

Ulundurpettai

SI.NoImageTemple NameLocationDistance / Route
1Sri Bhakthajaneswarar TempleThirunavalur15 km North-East of Ulundurpet
2Sornakatesvarar TempleThiruvennainallur15 km North-West of Ulundurpet
3Sivaloganathar TempleThirumundeecharam24 km North-East of Ulundurpet

Viruthachalam

Cuddalore

Chidambaram

Kattumannarkoil

Sirkazhi

Kumbakonam

Papanasam

Kaaraikkal

ImageTempleLocation
Thirunallar5 km west of Karaikkal on the Kumbakonam road, south bank of cauvery
Dharumapuramproceed 2 km on the thirunallaru – karaikal road and take a right to reach temple
south bank of cauvery
Vettakkudinear Karaikkal, south bank of cauvery
Thiruthelicheri, Kovilpathuinside Karaikkal town, Paarvateeswarar Devasthanam, Paadal petra Sthalam, south bank of cauvery

Mannargudi

ImageTempleLocationPadal petra stalam
Vennikarumbeeswarar Temple, Thiruvenniyur, Kovilvenni8 km northwest of Needamangalam on the Tanjore-Tiruvarur road, south bank of cauveryYES
Parijatha Vaneswarar Temple, Thirukalar23 km southeast of Manargudi on the thiruthuraipoondi road,
on the bank of ponnukku undaan river, south bank of cauvery
YES
Chathuranga vallapanathar Temple, Thirupoovanur8 km north of Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryYES
Kozhuntheesar Temple, Kottur15 km southeast of Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryYES
Thiruppaereyil, Ogaiperaiyur16 km northeast of Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery
Nellivana Nathar, Thirunellikaval23 km east of Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryYEs
Manikkavannar Temple, Thirunaattiyathankudi10 km northeast of Mannargudi is Koothanallur, temple is 12 km southeast of this town,
south bank of cauvery
Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukollikadu19 km from MannargudiYES
Sri Ramanatha Swamy Temple, Thirurameshwaram11 km from Mannargudi NO
Vendurainathar Temple, Thiruvanduthurai10 km east of Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryYES
Thiruneelakanteswarar Temple, Mannargudi1 km East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryNO
Annamalai Nathar Temple, Mannargudi2 km West of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, South bank of cauveryNO
Kailasa Nathar Temple, Mannargudi1.5 km East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryNO
Meenakshi Sokkanathar Temple, Mannargudi4 km South East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryNO
Jayamkonda Nathar Temple, Mannargudi2 km North East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryNO
Kasivishwa Nathar Temple, Mannargudi
East Bank of Haridra Nadhi
2 km North East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryNO
Kasivishwa Nathar Temple, Mannargudi1 km North of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryNO
Kamakshi samedha Ekambareswarar Temple, Mannargudi1 km East of Rajagopalaswamy temple, Mannargudi, south bank of cauveryNO
Naganatha Swami Temple Paadaaleeswaram, Pamini, Mannargudi
2 km north of Mannargudi, south bank of cauvery & North Bank of Pamaniyar RiverYES

Thiruthuraipoondi

ImageTempleLocation
Thandalai Neelneri3 km north of Thiruthuraipoondi on the Tiruvarur road, south bank of cauvery
Kaichinnam11 km north of Thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery
Thiruthengoor16 km north of Thiruthuraipoondi, 2 km from Thirunellikkaa, south bank of cauvery
Thirukkollikkadu15 km north of Thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery
Thiruchitremam14 km northeast of Thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery. On the Tiruvarur road take a right at Aalathampadi and drive further skipping 2 bridges across the irrigation canal and cross the third bridge to reach this temple.
Idumbaavanam12 km south of Thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery. 2 km West of Karpaganadharkulam below.
Thirukkadikulam, Karpaganadharkulam, Karpaganarkoil2 km east of Idumbavanam temple above, south bank of cauvery. Take the muthupet road and drive about 10 km to reach this village on the main road. Then take a left and drive about a kilometre to reach this temple. After visiting this temple drive further west from here to reach idumbavanam above.
Thiruvuchaathanam, Koviloor2 km north of Muthupettai, which is southwest of thiruthuraipoondi, south bank of cauvery. From the bus stand junction drive north for about 2 km crossing a new by-pass road to reach the temple arch and the temple.

Nagapattinam

Thanjavur

ImageTempleLocation
Thiruvedikkudi7 km north of Thanjavur, 1 km from Thirukkandiyur. cauvery south bank
Thenkudithittai10 km north of Thanjavur. cauvery south bank
Parithiniyamam18 km southeast of Thanjavur, 4 km north of Orathanad, cauvery south bank
Aradhaiperumpaazhi, Arithuvaramangalamconnected by Thanjavur town bus. cauvery south bank
Avalivalnallur3 km west of Aradhaiperumpaazhi above. cauvery south bank
Akshayabureeshwarar, vilankulam18 km from
Thanjai periya kovil @ Brihadeeswarar Temple1 km from old bus stand, near sivagangai poonga, 1 km from Thanjavur palace Thanjavur,

Tiruchirapalli

Madurai

ImageTempleLocation
Thiru Alavai, madurai meenakshi amman templeMadurai city center, very near railway station and town bus stand
Thiru Aappanoor, Aappudayar KoilInside madurai, about 2 km from city center on the north bank of river Vaigai
Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar shrine1/2 km Immayilum Nanmai Tharuvar Temple, West Masi Street, Madurai
Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple Parangirinathar shrine9 km southwest of madurai, part of the famous Muruga's Arupadaiveedu temple
Edaganathar temple Thiruvedagam17 km northwest of madurai on the cholavandhaan road on the north bank of Vaigai
Kodunkundram24 km northwest of Thiruputhur
Poovananathar Temple, Thirupuvanam19 km east of Madurai on the banks of Vaigai
Tiruvadanaibuses available from Madurai, Karaikkudi, Devakottai
Thiruchuzhial, Thiruchuzhi48 km south of Madurai
Thirukkanapper, Kalayar Koil18 km east of Sivaganga
Tiruttalinathar temple, Thiruputhur20 km west of Karaikkudi
Thiruppunavayil25 km south Aavudayar Koil
Shree Kailasha Nathar Temple, Piramanoor23 km east of Madurai, Piramanoor is one of the Village in Tiruppuvanam Taluk, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu State.
Towns Near By Tiruppuvanam, Madurai, Sivaganga, Manamadurai, Kalaiyarkoil, Singampunari.

Dindigul

There are several ancient Shiva temples in and around Dindigul:
TempleLocation
Lord Malligarjuna Swamy Temple, Kondarangi HillsKondarangi Keeranur, Dindigul

Tirunelveli

There are several ancient Shiva temples in and around Tirunelveli:
ImageTempleLocationPadal petra stalam
Nellaiappar Kanthimathi Amman Koil, Venuvanam, TharugavanamTirunelveli cityYes
Thirukutralam, KutralamKutralamYes
SankaranayinarkoilSankarankovilYes
Kasi Viswanathar KoilTenkasiNo
Ramalingaswamy Koil, Panagudi54 km from TirunelveliNo
Papavinaseswarar Koil, Papanasam49 km from TirunelveliNo
Athrinathr Koil, Sivasailam, Tirunelveli dist60 km from Tirunelveli

Thoothukudi - Tuticorin

Ancient Shiva temples in and around Thoothukudi.
ImageTempleLocation main areaPadal petra stalam
Sri Shenbagavalli Udanurai Poovana Natha Swamy Thirukoil, Kovilpatti48 km from Sankarankovil,60 km from TirunelveliAghasthiyar dharisanam seitha idam
Etteeshwarar Jothir Nayagi Thirukoil, Ettayapuram18 km from kovilpatti, Umaru Pulavar, Bharathi birthplace
Sri Kaashi Vishvanatha swamy tmple, Sattankulam40+ KM from Tirunelveli, 39 + KM from Vallioor
Sankara Rameshwarar Pagampiriyaal Thirukoil, ThoothukudiThoothukudi
Sri AnandhaValli Samedha Kailashanadhar Thirukoil, Pasuvanthanai30 km from Thoothukudi,25 km from kovilpattiSuyampu Lingam
KailashaNadhar Akilandeshwari Thirukoil, Ottapidaram20 km from Thoothukudi, v o chidambaranar birthplace
meenakshi sudareswarar Koil, vilathikulam, Thoothukudi dist54 km from Thoothukudi
Thirumoolanathar Temple, Vallanadu, Thoothukudi dist15 km from Tirunelveli 40 km from Thoothukudimuppeeda stalam, Navalinga stalam
Somanathar & Somasundari Amman Temple, Authoor, Thoothukudi Dist20 km from Thoothukudi to Thiruchendhur and 17 km from Thiruchendhur to Thoothukudi-
Pathanjali Viyakrapatheeswarar Temple, Seydunganallur, Thoothukudi Dist15 km from Thirunelveli to Thiruchendhur 42 km from Thiruchendhur to ThirunelveliThis is also known as ThenChidambharam

Tiruvannamalai

Rameswaram

Ramanathapuram

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uthirakosamangai

In former Tamilakam

Malai Nadu (Kerala)

Sl. NoImageTempleLocation
1Thiruvanchikulam Temple32 km from Trichur, Kerala, 8 km from Irinjalakuda Railway Station, near Trichur

Tuluva Nadu (Karnataka)

Eezha Nadu (Sri Lanka)

Nava Kailasam

These nine Siva temples are located uniquely on the river bed of Thamirabarani river near Tirunelveli:Ambasamudram circle