Early medieval · Hindu · India

Mahalingeswarar Temple

Thiruvidaimarudur, Tamil Nadu · 10.9944°, 79.4503°

Shiva (Mahalingaswamy, the Jyothirmayalingam), consort BruhatsundarakuchambikaCholaDravidianPaadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

800 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

9th c. (Chola); 16th c. Nayak expansion

Chola

History & significance

One of the great Shaiva temples of the Kaveri delta, its oldest masonry from the 9th-century Cholas with four gopurams and three precincts expanded under the Thanjavur Nayaks. A Paadal Petra Sthalam counted among the foremost shrines of Saivism.

Sthala katha — the legend

A Chola prince pursued by a Brahmin's vengeful spirit is said to have entered the temple, prayed to Shiva, and escaped through another gate - a circuit worshippers still repeat.

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