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

Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi

Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu · 11.2380°, 79.7392°

Sattainathar / Brahmapureeswarar (Shiva in three forms), with ThirunilainayakiChola—Paadal Petra Sthalam
Sacred since
1100 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
11th-13th c. (Chola expansions)
Chola

History & significance

A vast three-tiered Paadal Petra Sthalam where Shiva is worshipped on three levels as Brahmapureeswarar, Toniappar and the Bhairava form Sattainathar. The shrine of the Nayanmar age was greatly enlarged by the later Cholas from Kulothunga I to Kulothunga III, and is the storied birthplace of the saint Sambandar's devotion.

Sthala katha — the legend

When the infant Sambandar cried at the temple tank, Parvati herself nursed him, and he burst forth with the first hymn of the Tevaram.

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Ranganathaswamy Temple
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built up 10th–17th c.; Rajagopuram 1987
Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram
Chidambaram · India
core 10th c.; expanded to 13th c.

Sources

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