Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu

Temple Specialities

Maada Kovil Tradition of King Kochengannan

History records that the Chola king Kochengannan built seventy temples, collectively known as Maada Kovil temples. These temples were architecturally designed in such a way that the sanctum would be difficult for an elephant to enter. This distinctive feature is attributed to the king's karmic conflict with an elephant in his previous birth. The Thanthondri Appar Temple at Thiru Akkur is one such Maada temple built by this king.

Than-Thondri Maadam in Thevaram Hymns

In the Thevaram hymns, two temples are referred to with the prefix or suffix "Maadam." One is Thoonganai Maadam in the Nadu Naadu region, and the other is this temple, located in the region south of the River Cauvery. Although the area is known as Akkur, the temple itself is referred to as Thon-Thondri Maadam, as it is presided over by the Swayambhu deity Than-Thondri Appar.

Arunagirinathar and Tirupugazh

The saint-poet Arunagirinathar has praised the Muruga of this temple in his Tirupugazh. There is one Tirupugazh hymn dedicated to this Muruga, who appears with a radiant face and four arms, mounted on his peacock, and accompanied by his two divine consorts.

Legend of the Thousand-Fed Annadanam

According to local tradition, a king was divinely instructed to perform annadanam by feeding one thousand devotees daily for forty-eight consecutive days. Although banana leaves were laid out each day for a thousand people, only 999 devotees would arrive to partake of the meal, leaving one place mysteriously vacant. This continued for forty-seven days, causing the king great concern and sorrow. On the forty-eighth day, d Shiva Himself is said to have appeared in the guise of an ascetic, taken His seat among the devotees, accepted the offered meal, and bestowed His blessings upon the king, thus fulfilling the sacred vow.