Early medieval · Hindu · India

Masilamaniswara Temple

Thiruvaduthurai, Tamil Nadu · 11.0404°, 79.5182°

Shiva (Masilamaniswarar), consort Oppilamulai NayagiChola—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

800 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

9th c. (Chola)

Chola

History & significance

A 9th-century Chola temple at Thiruvaduthurai on the Kaveri, expanded by later Chola rulers and rich in inscriptions from the reigns of Parantaka I and Rajaraja I. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams of the Tevaram canon.

Sthala katha — the legend

The saint Tirumular is said to have entered the body of the dead herdsman Moolan here to console his grieving cattle, and remained in that form for good.

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