Early medieval · Hindu · India

Pazhayarai Vadathali Temple

Pazhayarai, Tamil Nadu · 10.9167°, 79.3667°

Shiva (Someswarar), consort SomeswariChola—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

700 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

8th-9th c. (Chola); 12th-13th c. gopuram

Chola

History & significance

The northern shrine of Pazhayarai, a capital region of the Chola empire near Kumbakonam, with inscriptions from the 8th-9th centuries and a Later Chola gopuram. It is revered as a Paadal Petra Sthalam in the Tevaram.

Sthala katha — the legend

The moon god is said to have worshipped Shiva at this spot, prompting the lord's appearance.

Open in Google Maps ↗Wikipedia ↗View on the atlas map

Related sites

Brihadisvara Temple

Thanjavur · India

1003–1010 CE

Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram

Gangaikonda Cholapuram · India

c. 1035 CE

Airavatesvara Temple

Darasuram, Kumbakonam · India

mid-12th c. CE

Meenakshi Amman Temple

Madurai · India

current structure largely 16th–17th c.

Ranganathaswamy Temple

Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli · India

built up 10th–17th c.; Rajagopuram 1987

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Chidambaram · India

core 10th c.; expanded to 13th c.

Sources

Wikipedia

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