There are 275 Lord shiva temples which are glorified by Tamil Tevaram hymns. These temples are called Paadal Petra Sthalangal. Among 275 temples, 265 temples are in present day Tamilnadu and Pondicherry. As Tevaram hymns were written between 7 th and 9 th century CE, these temples should be atleast built or enshrined 1000 years ago.
Intention of this post was to make people aware of temples which are closer to their places or their visiting places. But my intention changed after I collected the details about the location of these temples. In my questions section, you know why my intention was changed from one to another. So I present in this post, location of the temples, some statistics and some unanswered questions.
To find out how closer you are to Tevaram hymns temples, the temples have been grouped by districts in Tamilnadu and sub grouped by cities in the district. Some temples are placed under different districts than the districts originally they belong, because of the proximity of the temples to popular cities.
When the grouping of these temples completed, certain facts were hard to miss.
- Nagapattinam district tops the list with 61 temples out of 275 temples.
- Top three districts Nagapattinam, Tiruvaarur and Thanjavur collectively account for 162 temples,more than 50 percent.
- Mayiladuthurai tops among cities with whopping 41 temples.
- Nannilam in Tiruvaarur district comes second with 26 temples, topping Kumbakonam, Sirkazhi, Papanasam, Kancheepuram, Tiruvarur, Thiruvaiyaru and Thanjavur.
- No city in south Tamilnadu has significant number of temples.
- Interestingly Chennai and the surroundings have more temples than the south Tamil nadu.
- Rameswaram and Thiruvannamalai are very famous among these 275 temples but neither of them have any Tevaram sthalangal closer to them.
- The districts(Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Trichy, Cuddalore and Kancheepuram) ruled predominantely by Chola kings have more Tevaram sthalangal than any other places.
Questions:
- 208 out of 275 temples are in predominant chola territories. Does that mean Chola kings promoted Shavisim than any kings ruled present day Tamilnadu?
- Teavara hymns were composed between 7th and 9 th century CE and Medieval Chola dynasty reestabilished by Vijalaya Chola was around 850 CE. It seems the temples in Chola kingdom must have been atleast enshrined before Medieval Chola period. But before Vijalaya Chola I, Chola kingdom was not in the power for 600 years. During that time either Kalabhras or Pallavas ruled the predominant chola kingdom. If that is the case, why more temples are in Chola territory?. Why not in Pandya territory? Except Kalabhras period(300 years), before Vijalaya Chola I, Pandya dynasty was there most of the time. If most of the tevaram hymns temples were built before Vijalaya, why not much temples were built in Pandya dynasty? Was Pandya kingdom not wealthy enough to build more Shiva temples? or Were Pandya kings not interested in building Shiva temples like Chola/Pallava kings did? or Was Lord Shiva showing favour to Chola kingdom over Pandya dynasty?
Top 10 Shiva temple towns in Tamilnadu:
1. Mayiladuthurai - 41
2. Nannilam - 26
3. Kumbakonam - 20
4. Sirkazhi - 13
5. Papanasam - 12
6. Kancheepuram -11
7. Tiruvarur, Thiruvaiyaru, Trichy - 10
10. Mannargudi - 9
Nagapattinam district
Sirkazhi
1. Tirunallur Perumaanam(Achaalpuram) - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
2. Mahendrapalli - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
3. Then Tirumullaivayil - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
4. Kalikkaamoor(Annappanpettai) - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
5. Tiruchaaikaadu - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
6. Pallavaneeswaram - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
7. Thiruvenkadu - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
8. Keezhai Tirukkattuppalli - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
9. Thirukkarugavur - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
10. Sattainadhar Temple, Sirkazhi - Nagapattinam district
11. Tirukkolakka - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
12. Pullirukkuvelur (Vaitheeswaran Koyil) - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
13. Tiruppunkur - Sirkazhi, Nagapattinam district
Mayiladuthurai
1. Thirukkannar Kovil(Kurumanakkudi) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
2. Thirukkadaimudi(keezhaiyoor) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
3. Thirunindriyur - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
4. Tiruneedur - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
5. Thiru Anniyur(Ponnoor) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
6. Thiruvelvikkudi - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
7. Thiru Ethirkolpadi - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
8. Tirumanancheri - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
9. Thirukkurukkai - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
10. Thirukarupariyalur - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
11. Thirukkrukkai(Kurakkukka) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
12. Thiruvazhkoliputhur - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
13. Tirumannippadikkarai(Pazhamannipadikkarai) Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
14. Pandanainallur - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
15. Kanjanoor - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
16. Thirukkodikka - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
17. Thirumangalakkudi - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
18. Thirupananthal - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
19. Tiruvaappaadi - - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
20. Tirucheignchalur - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
21. Tirundudevankudi(nandaankoil) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
22. Tiruviyalur(Thiruvisaloor) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
23. Thiruvidaimarudur - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
24. Thenkurangaduturai - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
25. Thiruneelakkudi - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
26. Vaikanmaadakkovil - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
27. Thirunallam - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
28. Thirukkozhambam - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
29. Thiruvaavaduthurai - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
30. Thirutturutti(kuttalam) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
31. Thiruvazhundur - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
32. Mayooranadhar,Mayiladuturai - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
33. Viilanagar(Thiruvalanagar) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
34. Thiruppariyalur(parasaloor) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
35. Thiruchemponpalli - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
36. Thirunanipalli(punjai) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
37. Thiruvalampuram - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
38. Thiruttalaichankadu - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
39. Thiru Aakkoor - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
40. Thirukkadavur(thirukkadaiyoor) - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
41. Thirukkadavur Mayaanam - Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam district
Nagapattinam
1. Nagaikkaronam - Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District
2. Sikkal - Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District
3. Thirukkolili - Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District
4. Thiruvaimur - Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District
5. Thirumaraikkadu - Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District
6. Thiru Agathiyan Palli - Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District
7. Kodikkarai - Nagapattinam, Nagapattinam District
Tiruvaarur District
Nannilam
1. Thirukkottaru - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
2. Ambar - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
3. Ambar Maakaalam - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
4. Thirumeeyachur - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
5. Thilataipati - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
6. Thiruppaampuram - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
7. Thirusirukudi - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
8. Thiruveezhimizhalai - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
9. Tiruvanniyur - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
10. Karuvili Kottittai - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
11. Tiruvanchiyam - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
12. Nannilathu Perunkoil, Nannilam - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
13. Tirukkondeeswaram - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
14. Tiruppanaiyur - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
15. Virkudi - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
16. Tiruppugalur - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
17. Tiruppugalur Vardhamaneswaram - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
18. Ramanadeeswaram - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
19. Tiruppayatrankudi - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
20. Tiruchenkattankudi - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
21. Thirumarugal - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
22. Tiruchaattamangai - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
23. Palliyin Mukkoodal - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
24. Karaveeram - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
25. Thiruperuvelur - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
26. Thalaiyalankadu - Nannilam, Tiruvaarur District
Tiruvaarur
1. Thirumeeyachur Ilamkovil - Tiruvaarur, Tiruvaarur District
2. Thirukeelvelur - Tiruvaarur, Tiruvaarur District
3. Thiruttevur - Tiruvaarur, Tiruvaarur District
4. Achaleswaram - Tiruvaarur, Tiruvaarur District
5. Thiagarajaswamy Temple, Tiruvarur - Tiruvaarur District
6. Arurparavaiumandali - Tiruvaarur, Tiruvaarur District
7. Thiruvilamar - Tiruvaarur, Tiruvaarur District
8. Thirukkarayil - Tiruvaarur, Tiruvaarur District
9. Kanaappur - Tiruvaarur, Tiruvaarur District
10. Thiruvalivalam - Tiruvaarur, Tiruvaarur District
Mannargudi
1. Tiruvenniyur (Koyil venni) - Mannargudi, Tiruvaarur District
2. Tiruppoovanur - Mannargudi, Tiruvaarur District
3. Paadaaleeswaram - Mannargudi, Tiruvaarur District
4. Tirukkalar - Mannargudi, Tiruvaarur District
5. Kottur - Mannargudi, Tiruvaarur District
6. Vandurai - Mannargudi, Tiruvaarur District
7. Thirupereyil(Ogaiperaiyur) - Mannargudi, Tiruvaarur District
8. Thirunellikka - Mannargudi, Tiruvaarur District
9. Tirunatyattankudi - Mannargudi, Tiruvaarur District
Thiruthuraipoondi
1. Tiruchitremam - Thiruthuraipoondi, Thiruvarur district
2. Thiruvusaattaanam - Thiruthuraipoondi, Thiruvarur district
3. Tiruidumbavanam - Thiruthuraipoondi, Thiruvarur district
4. Kadikkulam - Thiruthuraipoondi, Thiruvarur district
5. Tandalaineeneri - Thiruthuraipoondi, Thiruvarur district
6. Tirukkollikkadu - Thiruthuraipoondi, Thiruvarur district
7. Thirutenkoor - Thiruthuraipoondi, Thiruvarur district
8. Kaichinam - Thiruthuraipoondi, Thiruvarur district
Thanjavur District
Kumbakonam
1. Thirukottaiyur - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
2. Thiru Innambar - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
3. Thirupirambiyam- Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
4. Thirusathimutram - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
5. Patteswaram - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
6. Pazhayarai - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
7. Thiruvalanchuzhi - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
8. Adi Kumbeswarar Temple(Thirukumbeswarar temple) - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
9. Thirukkudandai Keezhkottam - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
10. Kudandaikkaaronam - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
11. Thirunageswaram - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
12. Thiruppenu Perunturai - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
13. Thirunaraiyur - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
14. Arisirkaraiputtur - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
15. Sivapuram - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
16. Kalayanallur(sakkottai) - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
17. Tirukkarukkudi(marudhanthanalloor) - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
18. Thirukkudavaayil - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
19. Thirucherai - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
20. Tirukkollampudur - Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District
Papanasam
1. Thiruvisaiyamangai - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
2. Tiruvaikavur - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
3. Vadakurangaaduturai - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
4. Thiruppullamangai((Pasupathikoil) - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
5. Thiruchakrapalli(Ayyampettai) - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
6. Thirukkarugavur - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
7. Thiruppaalaitturai(Papanasam) - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
8. Thirunallur - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
9. Aavoor Pasupateeswaram - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
10. Tirunalurmayaanam - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
11. Kaduvaaikaaraiputhur - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
12. Tiruvirumpoolai - Papanasam, Thanjavur District
Thiruvaiyaru
1. Tiruppazhanam - Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
2. Thiruvaiyaru - Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
3. Thiruneittanam - Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
4. Thirupperumpuliyur - Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
5. Thirukkaanoor - Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
6. Melaittirukkattuppalli - Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
7. Thiruvalampozhil - Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
8. Thiruppoonturutti - Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
9. Thirukkandiyur - Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
10. Thiruchotrutturai Thiruvaiyaru, Thanjavur District
Thanjavur
1. Thiruvedikkudi - Thanjavur, Thanjavur District
2. Tenkudittittai - Thanjavur, Thanjavur District
3. Aradaipperumpazhi - Thanjavur, Thanjavur District
4. Avalivanallur - Thanjavur, Thanjavur District
5. Paridiniyamam - Thanjavur, Thanjavur District
6. Thiruvidaivai - Thanjavur, Thanjavur District
Cuddalore District
Chidambaram
1. Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram - Cuddalore District
2. Tiruvetkalam- Chidambaram , Cuddalore District
3. Tirunelvayil(Sivapuram)- Chidambaram , Cuddalore District
4. Tirukkazhippalai- Chidambaram , Cuddalore District
5. Goodalaiyatrur - Chidambaram , Cuddalore District
Kattumannarkoil
1. Omampuliyur - Kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore District
2. Tirukkaanattumullur- Kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore District
3. Tirunaaraiyur- Kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore District
4. Thirukkadambur - Kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore District
Virudhachalam
1. Tirunelvayil Aratturai - Virudhachalam, Cuddalore District
2. Pennaagadam - Virudhachalam, Cuddalore District
3. Erukkattampuliyur - Virudhachalam, Cuddalore District
4. Tirumudukunram - Virudhachalam, Cuddalore District
Cuddalore
1. Tiruttinai Nagar - Cuddalore , Cuddalore District
2. Tiruchopuram(Thayagavalli) - Cuddalore , Cuddalore District
3. Tirumaanikkuzhi - Cuddalore , Cuddalore District
4. Thirupathiripuliyur - Cuddalore , Cuddalore District
Panruti
1. Tiruvatikai - Panruti, Cuddalore District
2. Tirutturaiyur - Panruti, Cuddalore District
Kancheepuram District
Kancheepuram
1. Kachi Ekambam(Ekambareeswarar Temple) - Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram District
2. Kachi Metrali(Thirumetralinathar) - Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram District
3. Onakanthan Tali(Onakantheswarar) - Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram District
4. Kachi Anekatangapadam - Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram District
5. Kachi Nerikkaaraikkadu - Kancheepuram, Kancheepuram District
6. Kuranganilmuttam - Kancheepuram, Kanceepuram District
7. Thirumaagaral - Kancheepuram, Kanceepuram District
8. Thiruvothur - Kancheepuram, Kanceepuram District
9. Thiruvallam - Kanceepuram, Kancheepuram District
10. Thirumalper(Thirumarperu) - Kancheepuram, Kanceepuram District
11. Thiruvooral(Thiruveeral) - Kancheepuram, Kanceepuram District
Chengalpattu
1. Thirukkachoor(Singaperumalkoil) - Chengalpattu, Kanceepuram District
2. Thiruvidaichuram - Chengalpattu, Kanceepuram District
3. Thirukkalunkunram(Mamallapuram) - Chengalpattu, Kanceepuram District
4. Thiru Acharapakkam(Maduranthakam) - Chengalpattu, Kanceepuram District
Villupuram District
Ulundurpettai
1. Thirunaavalur - Ulundurpettai, Villupuram District
2. Thirunelvennei(Neyvanai) - Ulundurpettai, Villupuram District
3. Thirumundeeswaram - Ulundurpettai, Villupuram District
Tirukkoyilur
1. Thirukkovalur Veerattam(Veerateswarar temple) - Tirukkoyilur, Villupuram District
2. Arankandanallur(Araiyani Nalloor) - Tirukkoyilur, Villupuram District
3. Thiruvidaiyaru - Tirukkoyilur, Villupuram District
4. Thiruvennainallur - Tirukkoyilur, Villupuram District
5. Puravaar Panankattur - Tindivanam, Villupuram District
Tindivanam
1. Thiruvaamathur - Tindivanam, Villupuram District
2. Panankattur(Puravaar Panangattoor) - Tindivanam, Villupuram District
3. Tiruvakkarai - Tindivanam, Villupuram District
4. Arasili(Thiru Arasili Ozhindhiapattu) - Tindivanam, Villupuram District
5. Irumbaimagaalam - Tindivanam, Villupuram District
6. Vatukur(Thiruvandarkoil, Pondicherry) - Tindivanam, Villupuram District
Tiruchirapalli District
Lalgudi
1. Anbilalanturai - Lalgudi, Tiruchirapalli District
2. Thirumaanturai- Lalgudi, Tiruchirapalli District
Trichy
1. Thiruppaatrurai - Trichy, Tiruchirapalli District
2. Thiruvanaikkaval - Trichy, Tiruchirapalli District
3. Tiruppaingneeli - Trichy, Tiruchirapalli District
4. Tiruppaachilasramam - Trichy, Tiruchirapalli District
5. Tiruveengoimalai(Kusiri) - Trichy, Tiruchirapalli District
6. Thirukkarkudi (Uyyakkondan Malai) - Trichy, Tiruchirapalli District
7. Uraiyur(Mukkeecharam) - Trichy, Tiruchirapalli District
8. Thiruchiramalai(Malai kottai) - Trichy, Tiruchirappalli DIstrict
9. Thiruverumbur - Trichy, Tiruchirappalli DIstrict
10. Thirunedunkalam - Trichy, Tiruchirappalli DIstrict
Chennai District
Chennai
1. Thirukkallil - Chennai(Periyapalayam road)
2. Thiruvotriyur - Chennai
3. Thiruvalithayam(Padi) - Chennai
4. Thirumullaivayil(Avadi) - Chennai
5. Thiruverkadu(Poonamallee) - Chennai
6. Thirumayilai(Mylapore) - Chennai
7. Thiruvanmyur - Chennai
Madurai District
Madurai
1. Aalavaai (Madurai Meenakshi) - Madurai, Madurai District
2. Aappudaiyaar Kovil - Madurai, Madurai District
3. Tirupparankunram - Madurai, Madurai District
4. Tiruvedakam - Madurai, Madurai District
5. Tirukkodunkunram(Piraanmalai) - Madurai, Madurai District
6. Thiruchuzhial(Tiruchuli) - Madurai, Madurai District
Karur District
Kulithalai
1. Thiruvatpokki - Kulithalai, Karur District
2. Kadambar Kovil(Kadambanthurai) - Kulithalai, Karur District
3. Thiruparaithurai - Kulithalai, Karur District
Karur
1. Venchamaakoodal - Karur, Karur District
2. Karuvoor Aanilai - Karur, Karur District
Tiruvallur District
Tiruvallur
1. Ilambayankottur - Tiruvallur, Tiruvallur District
2. Thiruvirkolam - Tiruvallur, Tiruvallur District
3. Thiruvalangadu - Tiruvallur, Tiruvallur District
4. Thiruppaasur - Tiruvallur, Tiruvallur District
5. Thiruvenpakkam - Tiruvallur, Tiruvallur District
Karaikal district
Karaikal
1. Thiruvettakkudi - Karaikal, Karaikal district, Pondicherry
2. Thiruttelicheri - Karaikal, Karaikal district, Pondicherry
3. Dharumapuram - Karaikal, Karaikal district, Pondicherry
4. Thirunallar - Karaikal, Karaikal district Pondicherry
Sivaganga District
Karaikudi
1. Tirupputhur - Karaikudi, Sivaganga District
2. Tiruvadanai - Karaikudi, Sivaganga District
3. Tirukkaanapper - Karaikudi, Sivaganga District
4. Tiruppoovanam - Karaikudi, Sivaganga District
Erode district
Erode
1. Thirunana - Erode, Erode district
2. Kodimadachenkunroor (Tiruchengode) - Erode, Erode district
3. Paandikkodumudi - Erode, Erode district
Ariyalur District
Ariyalur
1. Thirumazhapadi - Ariyalur, Ariyalur District
2. Thiruppazhuvur (Aalanturai) - Ariyalur, Ariyalur District
Tirupur District
Avinaasi
1. Avinaasi - Avinaasi , Tirupur District
2. Thirumuruganpoondi - Avinaasi , Tirupur District
Tirunelveli District
Tenkasi
1. Thirukutralam - Tenkasi, Tirunelveli District
Tirunelveli
1. Tirunelveli - Tirunelveli, Tirunelveli District
Pudukottai District
Pudukottai
1. Thiruppunavayil - Pudukottai, Pudukottai District
Ramanathapuram District
Rameswaram
1. Rameswaram - Ramanathapuram District
Thiruvannaamalai District
Thiruvannamalai
1. Thiruvannamalai - Thiruvannaamalai, Thiruvannaamalai District
Other States and Countries
1. Gokarnam - Hubli, Karnataka
2. Sree Kaalahasti - Andhrapradesh
3. Tiruvanjaikkalam - Trichur, Kerala
4. Tirupparuppatham (Sree Sailam - Andhra Pradesh)
5. Anekatangavadam (Gowrikund)
6. Tirukkedaram (Kedarnath)
7. Tirukkayilaayam (Mount Kailash)
8. Indraneelaparvatam - Nepal
9. Tirukkonamalai - Sri lanka
10. Tirukketheeswaram - Sri lanka
Temples listed under Mayiladuthurai, Papanasam and Nannilam are not the temples IN those cities but AROUND those cities, just in case if you mistook it.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Shantiraju. Than you.My intention was to find the closer city to these temples. May be I have not menioned it clearly. Most of the temples and the cities listed are approximate locations only. It does not mean that these temples are in that city.
ReplyDeletegood collections...
ReplyDelete