Not to be confused with Thirubhuvanam, the Chola temple on the Kaveri, this Sivan temple is located 20 km or a 30 minute drive east of Madurai on the banks of the Vaigai River.
Originally built in the 7th century, the outer structures existing today are of more recent origin. The pretty rajagopuram looks like it has been built in the last 200 years. But the granite inner core has all the markings of an ancient Pandian temple with plenty of fish symbols. Many dynasties including the Nayakkar contributed to this temple. The muhamandapam has a statue of King Thirumalai Nayakkar. This is the 10th of the 14 Paadal Petra Sthalams in the Pandya Naadu and has pathikams from Gnasampanthar, Thirunaauvukkarasar and Sundarar. Lots of divine stories about this temple. The 36th Thiruvilaiyaadal, that of the dancing girl is supposed to have occurred here. Many inscriptions here with the earliest belonging to the 10th century reign of Pandian Sadayan Maran. Although not architecturally as impressive as some of the other temples we visited, it has a lot of history and legends.
Visited Aug 2019. Base Madurai
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