Information Corner
Here you will find general information related to the Paadal Petra Shiva temples, starting with the Ashta Veeratta temples, Jyothirlingas, Shakti Peethams and the 64 forms of Lord Shiva. Many more such general details will be added to this section over time.
Pancha Bootha Temples
The Pancha Bootha Temples are the Shiva temples associated with the five elements – earth, water, fire, air and space. All of these temples are in South India; Tiru-Kalahasti is located in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh.
- Tiruvannamalai - Fire
- Kanchipuram - Earth
- Tiruvanaikaval - Water
- Chidambaram - Space
- Sri Kalahasti - Air
Pancha Sabha Temples
The temples where Shiva is enshrined as Nataraja in His dancing form are known as the Pancha Sabha Temples.
- Chidambaram - Por-Sabai (Gold)
- Madurai - Velli-Sabai (Silver)
- Kuttralam - Chithira-Sabai (Paintings)
- Tiruvalangadu - Rathna-Sabai (Gem)
- Tirunelveli - Thamira-Sabai (Copper)
Special Puja Timings
Among all forms of worship, Shiva Puja is regarded as especially sacred, and the spiritual benefits of performing it are beyond words. The mantras chanted, flowers offered, materials used for Shiva Abhishekam, and the observance of Shiva Vratham are each believed to confer their own spiritual significance. Likewise, the time at which Shiva is worshipped and the particular *kala puja* performed during that time are traditionally believed to have their own special significance. The temples particularly associated with each of the six kala pujas are listed below.- Madurai - Palliyarai Puja - 10 PM
- Rameswaram - Morning Sandhi Puja - 10 AM
- Tirukkuttralam - Tiruvananthal Puja - 6 AM
- Chidambaram - Artha Jama Puja - 10.30 PM
- Tiruvanaikaval - Uchikala Puja - 12 noon
- Tiruvarur - Sayaratchai Puja - 6 PM
Saptha Vidanga Temples
The Saptha Vidanga Temples are the seven places where Shiva is worshipped in the form of Thyagarajar. Each of these temples is associated with a unique divine dance movement of Shiva and is connected with a fascinating legend that beautifully brings together devotion, divine grace and sacred dance.
According to tradition, Indra, the king of the Devas, worshipped Shiva in the form of Thyagarajar. The Chola king Muchukunda, having received Indra's grace, requested the sacred idol of Thyagarajar so that he could worship it on earth. Unwilling to part with the original idol, Indra created six more idols that were identical to it. However, through his deep devotion and spiritual insight, King Muchukunda was able to identify the original idol. Pleased with his devotion, Indra presented him with the original idol along with the other six. These seven idols were subsequently installed at seven sacred places, which came to be known as the Saptha Vidanga temples.
In Sanskrit, Sapta means seven, while Vidangam refers to something that is not carved or shaped with a chisel. A Vidangar is therefore a sacred idol that is believed to have been created without being sculpted by human hands. Thus, the seven sacred idols of Thyagarajar are traditionally revered as the Saptha Vidanga deities.
| Tandavam | Description | Sthalam |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Unmatha Tandavam(Nagar Vidangar) | Dancing as if seized by a divine madness, unable to contain the love of His devotees | Tiru-Nallar |
| 2. Achapa Tandavam(Veedhi Vidangar) | Moving up and down, forward and back, He dances with joy as the devotees inwardly receive the mantra in their minds | Tiruvarur |
| 3. Veesi Tandavam(Sundara Vidangar) | Dancing back and forth, coming and going like the waves of the sea | Nagapattinam |
| 4. Kukkuda Tandavam(Adi Vidangar) | A wonderful sthalam where Shiva danced in sharp, jerky movements resembling those of a cockerel | Tirukkarayil |
| 5. Purunga Tandavam(Avani Vidangar) | Dancing like a honeybee that hums and wanders here and there as it gathers honey | Tirukkuvalai |
| 6. Kamala Tandavam(Neela Vidangar) | Dancing with the swaying movements of a lotus flower moving in the gentle breeze | Tiruvaimur |
| 7. Amsapada Tandavam(Bhuvana Vidangar) | Dancing gently and softly, taking small steps like a swan | Vedaranyam |
Important Festivals
A festival is an occasion, held once a year or on certain special days, when people gather to celebrate and offer thanks to God. The important festivals are:
- Chidambaram - Arudra Darshan and Chariot Festival - Margazhi Pournami (full moon); Ani Thirumanjanam - Ani
- Uthirakosamangai - Arudra Darshan (Margazhi)
- Tiruvarur - Azhi Therottam (Chariot Festival) - Masi
- Tiruvannamalai - Deepam - Karthigai
- Sri Kalahasti - Maha Sivarathri (Masi); Brahmotsavam
- Madurai - Avani Moola Puttu Festival - Avani; Ashtami Sapparam - Margazhi
- Tiruvaiyaru - Appar's Kailasa Darshan - Aadi Amavasya
- Tiruvanjaikalam (Kerala) - Sundarar's Kailasa Darshan - Aadi month, Swathi star
- Tirukazhukundram - Laksha Deepa Festival - the day Guru Bhagavan (Jupiter) enters Kanya lagna
- Kumbakonam - Maha Magam Festival - Masi
*Of the festivals listed above, the Laksha Deepa Festival and the Maha Magam Festival are held only once in 12 years. Both will be held in 2028.
Ashta Veeratta Sthalam
The temples where Shiva is believed to have performed his dance of valor are collectively known as the Ashta (Eight) Veeratta Temples. All eight of these temples are located in Tamil Nadu.
Jyothirlinga
Rameswaram is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas and the only one located in Tamil Nadu. The remaining eleven Jyotirlinga temples are situated across North India.
These twelve Jyotirlinga temples are revered as divine abodes where Lord Shiva manifested Himself as a column of light, symbolising His infinite and formless nature. Rameswaram holds a unique spiritual significance as the southernmost Jyotirlinga.
Shakti Peetam
The following temples in Tamil Nadu are revered as Shakti Peetams:
- Madurai - Meenakshi
- Tirunelveli - Gandhimathi
- Kuttralam - Parashakthi
- Rameswaram - Parvathavarthini
Shakti Peetams are sacred temples believed to mark the spots where parts of Goddess Sati's body fell, transforming them into powerful centres of divine feminine energy.
The 64 Forms of Lord Shiva
Sthalams Granting Mukthi
It is said that worshipping at the following places grants Mukthi (liberation):
- Tiruvarur - grants Mukthi by being born there.
- Chidambaram - grants Mukthi by having darshan.
- Tiruvannamalai - grants Mukthi by merely thinking of it.
- Avinasi - grants Mukthi by hearing its name.
- Tiruvalavai (Madurai) - grants Mukthi by uttering its name.
- Kanchipuram - grants Mukthi by living there.
- Kasi - grants Mukthi by dying there.