Early medieval · Hindu · India

Vilwaneswarar Temple

Thiruvaikavur, Tamil Nadu · 10.9947°, 79.2863°

Shiva (Vilwaneswarar)CholaDravidianPaadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

600 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

7th c.

Chola

History & significance

A Paadal Petra Sthalam north of Kumbakonam on the Kollidam's southern side, revered in the Tevaram by Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar; the temple has a five-tiered gateway tower and the Yama Theertham tank.

Sthala katha — the legend

A hunter chased up a vilva tree on Shivaratri unknowingly showered its leaves on a lingam all night, and the pleased Shiva later saved him from Yama, the god of death.

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