Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1122 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
High medieval · Hindu · India

Sarguna Lingeswarar Temple

Marudanallur (Karukudi / Tirukkarukkudi), Tamil Nadu · 10.9240°, 79.4026°

Shiva as Sarguna Lingeswarar (sand Prithvi linga)Undetermined—Paadal Petra Sthalam
Sacred since
1000 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
dating unrecorded
Undetermined

History & significance

Also known as Karukudi Nathar Temple, this shrine near Kumbakonam was sung by the saint Sambandar in the Tevaram; its main icon is a shivalinga of sand. Pilgrims traditionally seek relief here from skin ailments.

Sthala katha — the legend

A trader named Dhananjayan is said to have been cured of leprosy at this place.

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Related sites

Brihadisvara Temple
Thanjavur · India
1003–1010 CE
Airavatesvara Temple
Darasuram, Kumbakonam · India
mid-12th c. CE
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Madurai · India
current structure largely 16th–17th c.
Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Chidambaram · India
core 10th c.; expanded to 13th c.
Ekambareswarar Temple
Kanchipuram · India
Chola core; Vijayanagara gopuram 1509
Ramanathaswamy Temple
Rameswaram · India
12th–18th c. (great corridor 18th c., Sethupathis)

Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Undetermined