37 Best Pilgrimage Sites near Madurai (2025)

Tirunelveli is a city situated on the banks of the river Thamirabarani in Tamilnadu. About 158 km from Madurai, 291 km from Trichy, and 623 km from Chennai, Tirunelveli is the most popular places to visit near Trichy, and among the must include places in Tamilnadu packages.

Also known as Nellai, Tirunelveli is positioned close to the southern tip of India and is very eminent for various geographical features. Tirunelveli has a rich cultural and architectural heritage which is evident from the various temples, and churches located here, and are the must include places in Tirunelveli packages. Nellaiappar Temple, Venkatachalapathy Temple, Sankaranainar Kovil, Allagammai Kashi Vishvanathar, Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram Temple, and Mundanthurai-Kalakad Wildlife are some of the top tourist places in Tirunelveli.

The city is also famous for Tirunelveli Halwa and also known as Halwa city and Oxford of South India. The annual Car Festival of Nellaiappar Temple is the major festival celebrated at Tirunelveli.

...read more

Tenkasi is the second largest town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Situated on the Madurai - Kollam highway, it is one of the popular places to visit near Trivandrum, and among the top Tamilnadu places to visit. It is situated about 109 km from Trivandrum, 132 km from Kanyakumari, and 160 km from Madurai.

Tenkasi is famous for numerous waterfalls spread around the region including the famous Courtallam Falls, among the must include places in Tenkasi packages. River Chittar flows through this picturesque destination favoured amongst tourists.

The Word Tenkasi means Kasi of the South referring to the Kasiviswanathar temple situated in the town. Kulasekaranathar Temple, Kannimaramman Temple, Anggalap Parameshwari Temple, and Esakki Amman Kovil are the other prominent Tenkasi tourist places.

...read more

Pathanamthitta is a beautiful town and the administrative capital of the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. Also known as the pilgrim capital of Kerala, Pathanamthitta is the main transport hub to the famous pilgrim center - Sabarimala and among the must-include places in Kerala tour packages. It is situated about 109 km from Trivandrum, & 119 km from Kochi.

Pathanamthitta is situated in the central Travancore region of Kerala, close to the Western Ghats. Pathanamthitta town is located on the banks of Achankovil and three major rivers of Kerala - Achankovil, Pamba & Manimala flow through the district. It is one of the famous places to visit near Trivandrum. The town is endowed with a scenic landscape comprising of low undulating hills, extensive stretches of lush forests, rivers, and charming countryside that one must experience as part of Pathanamthitta tour packages.

Sabarimala is the famous pilgrim center situated in Pathanamthitta. Aranmula, the Kerala Institute of Folklore and Folk Arts at Mannadi, Konni elephant training camp, Pandalam, Perumthenaruvi Waterfall, and Maramon are other prominent Pathanamthitta places to visit.

...read more

Guruvayur is one of the revered places of pilgrimage in Kerala, and among the prominent places to visit near Kochi. It is about 27 km from Thrissur, 90 km from Kochi, and 309 km from Trivandrum.

Guruvayur is one of the prominent Pilgrimage in India as it is home to the sacred Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. It is the fourth largest temple in India, and often referred to as the Dwaraka of the South. Mammiyoor Mahadeva Temple, Parthasarathy Temple, Thiru Venkatachalapathy Temple, Chamundeswari Temple, Chowalloor Shiva Temple, and Ariyannur Harikanyaka Temple, Punnathur Kotta Elephant Sanctuary, Chettuva Backwaters, Chavakkad Beach, and St. Thomas Forane Church - Palayoor are other places to visit as part of Guruvayur packages.

Beyond its spiritual allure, Guruvayur's lush greenery, coconut groves, and tranquil backwaters provide a picturesque setting for exploring Kerala's cultural treasures and indulging in authentic cuisine and Ayurvedic therapies. It can be visited along with Thrissur tour packages.

...read more

At a distance of 17 km from Mayiladuthurai, 27 km from Chidambaram, 45 kms from Karaikal, 54 km from Kumbakonam and 94 km from Thanjavur, Vaitheeswaran Koil is town in Nagapattinam district which is famous for the Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple. The temple is also known as Pullirukkuvelur.

Vaidyanatha Swamy and Thaiyalnayaki are the presiding deities of this temple. The Selva Muthukumara Swamy shrine here is also considered to be of important. There are Shiva lingas said to have been worshipped by Rama, Jatayu, Skanda, Surya and Angaraka. It is believed that Rama and his brother Lakshmana cremated the vulture king Jatayu who was killed by Ravana when he tried to prevent the abduction of Sita at this place. There is a pond at this temple called Jatayu kundam.

It is one of the Navagraha temples associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka). According to legend, Planet Mars was once afflicted with leprosy and was cured by Vaidyanatha Swamy and from then on it is treated as Angaraka sthalam.

The temple has a five-tiered gopura and large enclosures. Lord Vaitheeswaran is worshipped as Shiva linga in the inner sanctum. The first enclosure around the sanctum has the image of Subramanya, worshipped here as Muthukumara Swamy. The other metal images in the sanctum are of Nataraja, Somaskanda, Angaraka and stone sculptures of Durga, Dakshinamoorthy, Surya and Jatayu. The shrine of Thaiyalnayaki who stands with the medicinal oil ...

...read more

About Palani

At a distance of 41 Km from Kodaikanal, 108 Km from Coimbatore, and 122 km from Madurai, Palani or Pazhani is a temple town located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, India. The town of Palani is renowned for Palani Murugan Temple or Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, it is one of the six revered temples of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, that are collectively referred to as the Arupadaiveedu and is an important pilgrim centre for Hindus that one must visit as part of Kodaikanal tour packages. Situated on a hill overlooking the town of Palani, the temple is visited by more than 7 million pilgrims each year.

History of Palani

According to the Sangam literature, Palani was recognized as the southernmost region of Kongu Nadu, and historical edicts refer to it as Vaiyapuri Nadu, governed by King Vaiyapuri Kopperumpekan. A significant clan that established itself in this area was the Aviyarkudi. Following the Sangam period, the Chera Dynasty intermittently exerted control over the region. The hill temple dedicated to Murugan is believed to have been built by the Chera king Cheraman Perumal. During the medieval era, the Pandyas of Madurai held sway over the area. Numerous inscriptions can be found on the outer shrine wall of the Murugan temple. Subsequently, the region came under the influence of the rulers of Coimbatore and Madurai. In the 18th century, ...

...read more

At a distance of 23 km from Karaikal, 23 km from Mayiladuthurai, 44 km from Chidambaram and 57 km from Kumbakonam, Thirukkadaiyur is a popular temple town located on the east coast of Tamil Nadu in the Nagapattinam district. The Amritaghateswarar - Abirami Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is the most famous temple in Thirukkadaiyur.

The presiding deity of this temple is Sri Amirthalingeswara and his consort is Sri Abirami. Thirukkadaiyur is one of the 8 Veera Sthalas, where Yama was clashed with Lord Shiva. It is believed that this is the place where Lord Shiva protected Markandeya, son of Mrikandu, from Yama. The scar caused by the Yama's rope is visible on the Linga during abisheka times.

The temple was built by Chola kings in 11th century in the traditional Chola architectural style. Spread over 11 acres, the temple has great architecture and has five enclosures, huge towers and spacious mandapas. Based on the inscriptions seen here, the main shrine (sanctum) was in existence before early 11th century. The brick walls of the temple were replaced with stonewalls and the front mandapa was constructed during the period of Kulottunga Chola I. According to legend, when devas and asuras churned milk ocean to get Amritham, they forgot to worship Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha hurt and stole the pot of Amritham and kept at Thirukkadaiyur. While there, Ganesha created a Shiva Lingam and poured some of the Amritham over it. ...

...read more

About Thirukandiyur

At a distance of 12 km from Thanjavur and 35 km from Kumbakonam, Thirukandiyur is a temple town situated in Tamilnadu. The major attraction of Thirukandiyur is the Kandeeswarar Temple. It is one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites near Trichy. In this temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kandeeswarar, represented by a lingam, while his consort Parvati is depicted as Mangalanayagi. The presiding deity is celebrated in the 7th-century CE Tamil Saiva canonical text, the Tevaram, composed by the revered Tamil poet saints known as the nayanars, and is classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam. Additionally, Goddess Saraswathi is honored alongside Lord Brahma, adding to the temple's importance for devotees.

The Hara Saabha Vimochana Perumal Temple in Thirukandiyur is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. This temple is glorified in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, an early medieval Tamil canon authored by the Alvar saints between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. It is recognized as one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped here as Hara Saabha Vimochana Perumal, with his consort Lakshmi revered as Kamalavalli Nachiyar. The town derives its name from Lord Shiva, who is believed to have visited this site to pray to Lord Vishnu for the absolution of a sin.

History of Thirukandiyur

According to locals, Kandiyur Sivanthi Adithan founded this town. During ...

...read more

About Thiruparankundram Temple

At a distance of 8 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Thiruparankundram Temple, also known as Tirupparamkunram Murugan Kovil is a 8th century rock cut cave temple situated at Thiruparankundram. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Subrahmanya, it is one of the major places to visit as part of the Madurai pilgrimage tour. The Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple is recognized as one of the six revered temples of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, that are collectively referred to as the Arupadaiveedu. These temples are regarded as the foremost places of worship for followers of Lord Murugan, with each temple possessing significant religious and historical value.

History of Thiruparankundram Temple

As per the historical records, the Murugan temple existed much before the 6th century. Initially known as the Kudaivari temple, it was established during the era of the earlier Pandya Kings and saw significant development under the later Pandya Kings. Records indicate that Sattan Ganapathi, a resident of Karavanthapura and minister to the king in the 8th century, oversaw the reconstruction of the Thirukovil and the Sree thadagam. The shrines dedicated to Durga Devi and Jyeshtha Devi were built by Nakkan Kotri, Sattan Ganapathi's wife. The compound wall and main entrance tower were completed in 1505 AD under the direction of Veerappa Nayakar. The temple underwent ...

...read more

At a distance of 37 km from Kumbakonam, 37 km from Karaikal and 42 km from Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai is a town and headquarters of the Mayiladuthurai Taluk in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Mayiladuthurai is known for the Mayuranatha Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is one among the six temples which are compared as equivalent to the temple in Varanasi. The other 5 Shivasthalams are Tiruvenkaadu, Chaayaavanam, Tiruvaiyaru, Tiruvanchiam and Tiruvidaimarudur.

This temple was reconstructed with stone in 10th century during the period of Sembiyan Mahadevi. However, the renovations from the 19th century have destroyed some of the older structures and the inscriptions. Some of the stone sculptures of Vinayakar, Natarajar, Dakshimamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Brahma, Ganga Visarjanamurthi, Durga and Bhikshatanar from the period of Sembiyan Mahadevi have been well preserved.

The main diety is in the form of lingam called Mayuranathar and his consort Abhayambika appears as a peacock worshipping the Lord here. According to legend, Daksha, father of goddess Parvathi, conducted a Yagna but intentionally didn't invite Lord Shiva to humiliate him. Lord Shiva did not want Parvathi also to attend the Yagna. But Goddess Parvathi attended the function and was humiliated by Daksha. Lord Shiva in Veerabadra form and destroyed the Yagna. As Parvathi ignored Lord's advice, she was cursed to become a peacock. She came ...

...read more

About Alagar Koil

At a distance of 21 km north-east of Madurai, Alagar Koil, or Kallazhagar Temple is a beautiful Hindu temple situated at Alagarkoil village in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. Situated at the foothills of Alagar hills, it is one of the major pilgrimage sites near Madurai. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshiped as Kallalagar and his consort Lakshmi as Tirumamagal. Here Lord Vishnu presides as Meenakshi's brother 'Azhagar'.

History of Alagar Koil

Alagar Koil Temple, with origins tracing back to the early Sangam period, is an essential destination for those embarking on a Madurai tour. This temple is celebrated in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a significant early medieval Tamil scripture composed by the Alvar saints between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. It holds a distinguished position from the time of the Pandyan dynasty. The magnificent main tower at the entrance is believed to have been built by the Pandyan Kings. Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan (1251-1270 AD) adorned the 'vimana' with gold plates, enhancing its splendor. Furthermore, during the reign of the Vijayanagar monarch Krishnadeva Raya, the temple received substantial financial support for the organization of regular festivals. Inscriptions from the era of King Ashoka have also been discovered at this site, and it is ...

...read more

About Thiruvarur

At a distance of 2 km from Thiruvarur Junction, 40 km from Kumbakonam, and 62 km from Thanjavur, Thiruvarur is a famous temple town situated at the tip of three rivers: Valaiyar, Sukumar, and Odambokki Rivers in Tamil Nadu. The town is wellknown for Sri Thyagaraja Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is also classified as Saptha Vidangam, meaning the seven temples having unique dance moves by Thyagaraja, and among the most prominent places to visit as part of Thanjavur pilgrimage tour packages.

Thiruvarur is mentioned in the saiva canonical work, Tevaram by Thirugnana Sambanthar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar, the foremost Saivite saints of 18th century CE and classified as Padal petra sthalam. Thiruvarur has historically served as a prominent hub for distinguished figures in the realms of religion, arts, and science. Among the 63 nayanmars of the Saivite tradition, two significant figures, Kalarsinga Nayanar and Tandiyadigal Nayanar, hailed from Thiruvarur. Furthermore, the town has been recognized as a traditional center for music and dance. Thiruvarur is also celebrated as the birthplace of the Trinity of Carnatic music: Thyagaraja (1767-1847 CE), Muthuswami Dikshitar (1775-1835 CE), and Shyama Shastri (1762-1827 CE).

History of Thiruvarur

Thiruvarur served as one of the five historical capitals of the Chola Empire, and its history closely linked ...

...read more

At a distance of 20 kms from Kannyakumari (situated in Nagarcoil town, on Trivandrum - Kanyakumari road), The Nagaraja Temple is a simple thatched shed, with mud walls.

It enshrines the King of Serpents. Tradition states that a King of Kalakkad was cured of leprosy when he performed penance in the temple. He then rebuilt it in the Kerala style. He might have been Bhuthalavira Sri Vira Udaya Marthandavarma, who ruled Venad, with Kalakkad as the capital. It is believed that snakebite is not fatal within a kilometer of the temple.

Temple timings: 5.30 AM - 10 AM & 5 PM - 7 PM

...read more

About Velankanni

At a distance of 11 km from Nagapattinam, 31 km from Karaikal, and 93 km from Thanjavur, Velankanni is a panchayat town in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Lies on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, the town is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health., one of the most visited Latin Catholic shrines in India, and among the most prominent Christian pilgrimage sites near Pondicherry as well as Thanjavur. Besides, Velankanni has been chosen as one of the heritage cities for the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme of the Government of India.

History of Velankanni

The origins of Velankanni are deeply intertwined with the belief that the Virgin Mary manifested to a Hindu boy during the 16th century. In honor of this apparition, the boy constructed a thatched chapel at the location of the event. Several years later, Our Merciful Mother intervened to save a group of Portuguese merchant sailors from a fierce storm that had caused their ship to capsize. In gratitude for their deliverance, the sailors erected a small permanent chapel upon their return. With each subsequent visit, they made enhancements to the structure. It was designated as a parish church in 1771 and, on 3 November 1962, was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica by Pope John XXIII, merging with the Major Basilica of Mary in Rome.

In 2004, Velankanni ...

...read more

At a distance of 59 km from Tirunelveli, 35 km from Tuticorin and 92 km from Kanyakumari, Thiruchendur is a small coastal town in the Toothukudi district of Tamil Nadu and is a popular pilgrimage destination situated in the Gulf of Mannar.

Thiruchendur Murugan Kovil is the prime attraction of the town. This temple is considered to be one of the six Padai Veedu (Battle Camps) of Lord Murugan, the others being Thiruparamkundram, Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani and Pazhamudhircholai. This temple is known as the second Padai Veedu of Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga won the battle with the demon Surapadma and worshipped Lord Shiva at this sacred place. It is believed that the temple existed since the Vedic period, as it is mentioned in many ancient scripts.

The main entrance to the temple faces south although the sanctum faces east. The 133 feet Rajagopura, built close to the shores of Bay of Bengal, is an outstanding example of Dravidian architecture. The Gopura consists of 9 storeys there are nine Kalasas at the top of the gopuram. This is the only Murugan temple situated on the sea shore. This temple was built by three holy saints.

Lord Murugan is represented in various forms in the temple, the presiding deity (Moolavar) being Balasubramanya in standing posture. The other forms are Shanmugar, Jayanthinathar, and Kumaravidanga Perumal. The temple has two large enclosures. Adjacent to the sanctum is the Panchalingam ...

...read more

About Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

At a distance of 80 km from Madurai and 100 km from Tirunelveli, Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Srivilliputhur in the Virudhunagar district of Tamilnadu. This is one of the popular pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vatapatrasayi and his consort Lakshmi as Andal. The temple is regarded as the one of the 108 divya desams of Lord Vishnu. The Rajagopuram at Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is 192-194 feet. It is one of the tallest temple gopurams in India and is also the state symbol of Tamil Nadu.

History of Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

Srivilliputhur Temple is intricately linked to the life of Andal, who was discovered beneath a Tulsi plant in the garden of the Vatapatra Sayanar Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vatapatrasayi and his consort Lakshmi as Andal. It is regarded as the birthplace of two prominent Alwars, Perialwar and his foster daughter Andal. The Alwars flourished in the 8th century, suggesting that the Vatapatra Sayanar temple's origins predate this period; however, epigraphic evidence is only available from the 10th century CE.

The temple features inscriptions from the Chola, Pandya, and Vijayanagar Nayakkar dynasties, covering a timeline from the 10th to the 16th centuries. The construction of Vatapatra Sayanar Temple ...

...read more

At a distance of 500 m from Thirubhuvanam Bus Station, 9 km from Kumbakonam and 50 km from Thanjavur, Thirubhuvanam is well known for Kampahareswarar Temple, also known as Sarabeswarar temple. It is an ancient temple situated in Thirubhuvanam on Mayiladuthurai - Kumbakonam road.

The Kampaheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; the temple enshrines Kampaheswarar as the presiding deity, worshipped in the form of a Shiva Linga. According to legend, Shiva is believed to have relieved Kampa (quaking) of a king haunted by evil spirits on account of the king killing a Brahmin by mistake. This led to the name of Kampaheswarar.

The temple was built by Kulottunga Chola III (1178-1216), to celebrate a military victory. However, Pandyan kings have completed the construction of this temple. The architecture of the temple resembles Brihadeshwarar Temple of Thanjavur, Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple. It is believed that the temple was the last holy place to have been built by the Chola Kings.

The temple follows the Dravidian style of architecture. Similar to Brihadeswarar Temple, the vimana of the temple is extremely high compared to the Rajagopura. The 130 ft high tower (gopuram) of the sanctum sanctorum boasts several exquisitely carved sculptures. There are two gopuras and two enclosures, inner sanctum, artha mandapa, maha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The inner sanctum is a square-shaped structure. The Vimana has six ...

...read more

At a distance of 16 km from Thirumalpuram and 56 km from Tirunelveli, Sri Sankaranarayana Swamy Temple is a famous Hindu temple situated at Sankarankovil in Tirunelveli district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the top pilgrimage places to visit in Tirunelveli region and also one of the popular temples in Tamilnadu.

The temple is dedicated to Sankaranarayanar, who is the combined manifestation of Shiva and Vishnu. This temple was built by Ukkira Pandiya Thevar in the 11th century AD. This temple also called as Avudaiamman Kovil or Davasu Kovil. According to mythology, once the devotees of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva quarreled with each other to determine whose god is powerful. Then Lord Shiva appeared as Sankaranarayanar to mark his devotees to understand that both Hari and Shiva are one and the same. So it is held sacred by Saivites and Vaishnavites as well. Hence this temple depicts the concept of Hari and Haran being one God.

The temple of Sankaranarayana is situated on 4.5 acre site in the heart of the Sankarankovil Town. It is one of the Pancha Bootha Sthalas in the South Pandiya country. With an imposing Rajagopuram, rising to a height of 135 feet with nine tiers, this temple is surrounded by high walls and the tower has many beautiful images.

Lord Sri Sankaranarayana is the main deity in this temple. The right portion of the idol has sandal and indicates Lord Siva, with cobra around his neck & moon above his head. The left side of the idol indicates Lord Vishnu ...

...read more

At a distance of 12 km from Kanyakumari, Suchindram is a holy place located on the bank of the river Pazhayar in Tamilnadu. Situated on Trivandrum - Kanyakumari road, it is one of the famous places to visit during your Kanyakumari trip.

Suchindram is known for the Thanumalayan Temple dedicated to Sri Sthanumalayan. The Thanumalayan Temple is of importance to both Shaivaite and Vaishnavite sects of Hinduism, as the name Stanumalaya denotes Trimurtis; 'Stanu' means Siva; 'Mal' means Vishnu; and the 'Ayan' means Brahma. It is one of the popular places to visit near Kanyakumari.

Suchindrum means the place where Indra attained 'Suchi' i.e., purification. The Sthalapurana has it that Indra suffered a curse from sage Gowthama and offered worship to Lord Shiva at this place. Relieving Indra of his curse, Lord Shiva granted him of his wish that the place where he attained purification should henceforth be called 'Suchindrum'.

The present masonry structure was built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th century, while later expansions are attributed to Thirumalai Nayak and the Travancore Maharajas. The temple complex covers around two acres and has two gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower, with 11 stories and a height of 44 m. The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Sthanumalayan and that of ...

...read more

At a distance of 15 km from Ramanathapuram, and 65 km from Rameshwaram, Devipattinam is a beautiful coastal village situated in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the popular Rameshwaram places to visit.

Devipatnam, along with Rameshwaram and Thiruppullani are associated with the Hindu sacred epic Ramayana. Also known as Navapashanam, this holy town is famous for the Navagraha Temple. According to the legend, Lord Rama when going to war to kill Ravana had worshipped navagrahas by installing nine different stones, each symbolizing the nine celestial bodies to calmed the sea. It is said that since then, 9 navagraha stones are located in the sea, at a distance of about 100 meters from the seashore. These can be seen in the morning when the level of seawater is low; however in the evenings when the tides are high, most of the navagraha stones are submerged in the water.

This small village also has a temple dedicated to Devi. It is said to be the place where Mahishasura was killed by Goddess Durga Devi. There are two other temples here, one dedicated to Thilakesava and the other to Jagannatha. The Thilakeshwar Temple is dedicated to Shiva and Parvathi (Durga). Shiva here is known as Thilakeswarar and the Goddess is known as Soundaryanayaki. Devotees at the temple offer nine varieties of grains to the Gods and Goddesses. The beach is full of multicolored shells and corals ...

...read more

At a distance of 9 km from Kumbakonam and 37 km from Thanjavur, Swamimalai, situated on the banks of river Cauvery, is known for Sri Swaminatha Swami Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. Swamimalai is famous for being one of the six Padai Veedugal (Battle Camps) of Lord Murugan, the others being Thiruparamkundram, Thiruchendur, Palani, Thiruthani and Pazhamudhircholai.

The temple of Swaminatha is very ancient one and believed to be existed before 2nd century BC. It is said that Parantaka Chola I upgraded this temple. The temple was greatly damaged during the Anglo-French war between Hyder Ali and British in 1740.
The presiding deity Lord Murugan is depicted here as expounding the meaning of Pranava mantra 'Aum' to his father Lord Shiva. According to legend, Brahma disrespected Murugan at the time of visiting Mount Kailash. The child Muruga got angry with Brahma and asked him how he was creating living beings. Brahma said that he was creating with the help of the Vedas. On hearing the reply, Muruga asked Brahma to recite the texts from Vedas. At that time Muruga stopped Brahma and asked him to explain the meaning of the Pranava Mantra. Brahma could not reply and hence Muruga got him imprisoned and took up the role of the creator. Devas requested Shiva to negotiate with Muruga to release Brahma.

Shiva came to Muruga and asked him to release Brahma from imprisonment. Muruga refused to release him stating Brahma was ...

...read more

At a distance of 15 km from Ramanathapuram, and 66 km from Rameshwaram, Thirupullani is a temple town situated near Rameshwaram. It is one of the prominent places of pilgrimage in Tamilnadu, and among the must-visit places during your Rameshwaram Trip.

The town is known for Aadi Jagannatha Perumal Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Popularly known as Thirupullani Temple, it is one of the 108 Divya Desam temples of Lord Vishnu. It is also known as Dharbasayanam as Rama took rest on a couch of grass at this place. Other names of this place are Thiruvadanai, Pularanyam, Adhisethu and Ratnaharam.

This ancient temple not only attracts visitors because of its sacredness but also for its historical background and architectural excellence. Built during the reign of Cholas, various contributions were made to this temple during Pandyan rule and the rule of Sethupathy Kings. It is now maintained by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of Tamil Nadu Government.

Built-in the Dravidian style of architecture, the presiding deity of the temple is Lord Dharba Sayana Rama. The specialty of this temple is that Lord has been shown in a reclining posture. There are also separate shrines for Goddess Padmasini, who is the consort of Lord Adi Jagannatha, Goddess Shridevi, Goddess Bhudevi, Lord Krishna.

Timings: 7 AM - 12.30 PM & 3.30 PM - 8.30 PM

...read more

At a distance of 20 km from Kumbakonam, Garbarakshambigai Temple is a revered Hindu temple situated in Thirukarukavur near Kumbakonam. It is one of the prominent places to visit in Kumbakonam.

Located on the banks of the beautiful Vennaru River, the Garbarakshambigai Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, revered here as Mullaivananathar, and his consort Parvathi, known as Garbarakshambigai. The principal deity is revered in the 7th-century Tamil Shaiva scripture - the Tevaram, composed by the Tamil saint poets referred to as the Nayanmars, and is recognized as a Paadal Petra Sthalam. This temple is also one of the five Pancha Aranya Sthalams, often referred to as Mullai Vanam, which translates to a jasmine garden.

It is believed that the temple was constructed during the Chola dynasty in the 7th century. There are 31 inscriptions from the Chola era, attributed to the reigns of Koperi Varman, Rajaraja I, Rajendra Chola I, and Kulothunga Chola. These inscriptions document the royal grants made to the temple and can be found on the temple's walls, sanctum, and various halls. Currently, the temple is maintained and overseen by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

The name Thirukarukavoor derives from the Tamil words Karu, meaning fetus; Ka, meaning to save; and oor, meaning village. This nomenclature reflects the belief that the temple deity safeguards ...

...read more

At a distance of 70 km from Rameshwaram and 15 km from Ramanathapuram. Uthirakosamangai is famous for an ancient Siva temple considered to be 3000 years old. This is the place where Siva transferred the secrets of Vedas to Parvati. Uthiram means (updesham) kosam (secrets) Parvati (Mangai) hence this place is known as Uthira Kosa Mangai.

The main deity here is Mangalanathar (Siva) and his consort is Mangleshwari. The main attraction of this temple is a statue of Natarajar made of emerlad which is about 51/2 feet tall. This idol is known as Margatha Natarajar and the deity is always covered with sandal paste. Only in the Tamil month of Margazhi on Tiruvathira nakshtram the sandal paste gets removed and there is abhishekam for the idol and this special darshan is known as Arudhra darishanam.There is a Nandi just outside the sanctum and a bigger Nandi in the outer prakaram known here as Pradosha Nandi. Special poojas are conducted here on Pradosham days in the evenings as it is believed that Siva dances between the horns of Nandi during that time.

Annual 'Arudhra' festival in December attracts a large number of devotees on this day and on the next day again the idol gets smeared with sandal paste.

...read more

About Mariamman Temple

At a distance of 11 km from Srirangam, 19 km from Trichy, and 66 km from Thanjavur, Sri Mariamman Temple is a revered Hindu temple situated at Samayapuram. It is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites near Trichy. Sri Mariamman Temple is dedicated to Samayapurathal or Mariamman, an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. Goddess Mariamman is believed to have immense powers and the temple receives thousands of devotees on a weekly basis, throughout the year, especially on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The temple is considered as the second richest temple in the southern state of Tamil Nadu after Palani Temple. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

History & Mythology of Mariamman Temple

Samayapuram Temple is regarded as one of the foremost sanctuaries dedicated to Goddess Mariamman in Tamil Nadu. Historical accounts indicate that King Vijayaraya Chakaravarthi constructed the current temple in the 17th century. Nevertheless, it is widely accepted that the local agrarian communities had been venerating the Goddess for many centuries prior to the temple's establishment. One legend says that the existing idol was originally housed at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, and one of the chief priests of the temple believed that the idol caused illness to Ranganathar and ...

...read more

At a distance of 38 km from Pollachi, Thirumoorthy Hills is one of the charming outdoors near Pollachi. A part of the Anamalai range of the Western Ghats, it is one of the famous places to visit in near Pollachi.

At the foot of the hills is the Thirumoorthy Temple, also known as Sri Amanalingeswarar Temple. A perennial stream flows by the side of the temple. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu trinity, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Brahma. Legend says that Athri Maharishi and his wife Anasuya Devi resided in these hills, and the Gods of the Hindu trinity had come down to test their devotion. The Gods asked Anasuya Devi to make their offerings in nudity. She agreed and changed the Gods as babies with her devotion, fed them & put them to sleep in a cradle. Athri came back afterward and hearing the story from Anasuya praised the three gods sleeping in the cradle. Later, the Trinities come back to their original form and give a boon to Anasuya. According to her wish, three children were born to her - Shiva is born as Sage Durvasa, Vishnu as Dattatreya, and Brahma as Chandra (Moon). Hence, this region is named as Thirumoorthy Hills.

Thirumoorthy Dam has been constructed adjoining the Thirumurthy Hill near Amanalingeswarar Temple. The panorama of the Anamalai Hills surrounding the shimmering blue waters of the reservoir is a sight to behold. This area is a popular spot for shooting films thanks to the beauty of the region. It is the perfect place for tourists who love ...

...read more

At a distance of 36 km from Kumbakonam, 45 km from Thanjavur and 96 km from Trichy, Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple is a Vaishnavite shrine located in the town of Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu.

Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple is dedicated to Rajagopalaswamy, an incarnation of Lord Krishna. The temple was first constructed by Kulothunga Chola I. Successive kings of the Chola Empire, Rajaraja Chola III, Rajendra Chola III and kings of Thanjavur Nayaks, Achyuta Devaraya expanded the temple. The temple contains inscriptions of the Hoysala kings and some Vijayanagara grants and many records of the later Nayaks and Marathas. The Thanjavur Nayaks made the temple as their dynastic and primary shrine and made significant additions.

The temple is spread over an area of 23 acres and is one of the important Vaishnavite shrines in India. The temple is called Dakshina Dwarka along with Guruvayoor by Hindus. The sanctum of the temple enshrines a 7 feet high image of Vaasudeva with his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoodevi. The Utsava murthi idol is of exquisite beauty and is adorned with precious jewellery and colourful flowers. Along with him are his consorts Rukmani and Satyabhama.

The temple also has 24 shrines, 7 mandapams, 9 theerthams, 16 gopurams and 7 prakarams that were constructed by Kulothunga Chola I. The temple complex has intricate carvings and depicts the architecture grandeur of Cholas and Thanjavur Nayaks. The present shrine along with a 1000-pillard hall and the big compound wall ...

...read more