Early medieval · Hindu · India

Prananadeswarar Temple

Thirumangalakudi, Tamil Nadu · 11.0274°, 79.4755°

Shiva (Prananadeswarar)Chola—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

800 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

9th–16th c. (Chola–Nayak)

Chola

History & significance

A Shiva temple at Thirumangalakudi near Kumbakonam with a five-tiered gopuram, counted among the Paadal Petra Sthalams hymned by Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. It is one of the few places in South India where the Kaali Attam dance is performed, and its goddess Mangalambigai is invoked for the welfare of married women.

Sthala katha — the legend

A minister of Kulothunga Chola, executed for building the temple with tax money, is said to have revived here through Mangalambigai's grace when his funeral bier reached the shrine.

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