Tirtha Atlas

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

1122 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Early medieval · Hindu · India

Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur

Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu · 10.7667°, 79.6352°

Shiva as Thyagarajaswami / Putridankondar (consorts Neelotpalambika and Kamalambika)Chola—Paadal Petra Sthalam
Sacred since
600 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
9th c. (Chola); Pallava origin
Chola

History & significance

One of India's largest temple complexes at 8.1 hectares with nine gopurams and Asia's heaviest processional chariot, and a Paadal Petra Sthalam revered in the Tevaram. Believed to have been initiated by the Pallavas in the 7th century, the present masonry structure was built by the 9th-century Cholas, and it heads the seven Saptha Vidangam shrines.

Sthala katha — the legend

King Muchukunda is said to have won from Indra the image of Shiva dancing on Vishnu's chest by correctly choosing it among seven identical icons.

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Sources

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