High medieval · Hindu · India

Metraleeswarar Temple

Kanchipuram (Kachi Metrali), Tamil Nadu · 12.8350°, 79.6917°

Shiva (Metraleeswarar / Metralinathar)Later Chola—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

1200 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

expanded 13th c. (Later Chola)

Later Chola

History & significance

A Shiva temple in Kanchipuram counted among the 275 shrines praised in the 7th-century Tevaram. Its exact date of foundation is unknown, but it was enlarged in the 13th century and is maintained today by the Tamil Nadu government.

Sthala katha — the legend

Shiva is said to have turned westward to listen to the hymns of the boy-saint Thirugnana Sambandar, which is how the shrine came to be called Thirumetrali.

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