There are innumerous temples located on the Southern Pandya Kingdom, particularly in and around Thamirabharani River - both on the Southern and Northern banks. Puranas recall that there were 274 Shiva temples and 108 VaishNava shrines. Among them, Thamirabharani Mhathmiyam (Glory of Thamirabharani), Nava Samudra Mahathmiyam, Shivasaila Mahathmiyam, Thiruppudai Maruthur Mahathmiyam, Thirukutrala Sthala Puranam, Thenkasi Sthala Puranam, Karuvai Sthala Puranam, Thiruchendur Puranam books say our Ancestors worshipped Shivalayas in a structured way by splitting them in denomination of Thiri (3), Pancha (5), Ashta (8), Nava (9), Dasa (10). We furnish below the sequential division that was provided by our Ancestors lineage in the same manner.
PANCHA AASANA SHRINES |
NAVA SAMUDRA SHRINES |
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Ervaadi |
Thiruvazhudheesar temple |
Amba Smudram |
Vaala Samudram |
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Kalakaadu |
Sathyavaakeesar temple |
RavaNa Samudram |
Gopala Samudram |
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Naanguneri |
Thirunaageshwarar temple |
Veeraa Samudram |
Vadamalai Samudram (Pathmaneri) |
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VijayanaaraayaNapuram |
ManoNmaneesar temple |
Aranga Samudram |
RathanakArA Samudram (Thiruchendur) |
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Shenbagaraamanalloor |
Raamalingar temple |
Dhalapathi Samudram |
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NAVA LINGAPURAMS |
PANCHA BOOTHA SHRINES (SOUTHERN PANDYA KINGDOM) |
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Vallanaadu |
Thirumoola Naathar temple |
Sankarankovil |
Prithvi (Earth) |
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Gaandheeshwaram |
Ekaantha Lingar temple |
Karivalamvantha Nalloor |
Agni (Fire) |
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Puraiyoor |
Ayanaadheeswarar temple |
Thaarukaapuram |
Jalam (Water) |
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Therkukaaraseri |
Kulasekharamudaiyaar temple |
Thenmalai |
Vaayu (Air) |
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Kaayalpattinam |
Meykandeshwarar temple |
Devathaanam |
Aakash (Space) |
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Kongaraayakurichi |
Veeramaarthandeswarar temple |
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Puthukkudi |
Vadanakkanaayanaar temple |
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VeLLoor |
Nadunakkanaayanaar temple |
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ManavaLaraayakurichi |
Thennakkanaayanaar temple |
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PANCHA KROSA SHRINES (EQUIVALENT TO VARANASI) |
PANCHA PEETA SHRINES |
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Shivasailam |
Shivasailappar temple |
Koorma Peedam |
Brahmadesam |
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Aazhvaarkurichi |
Vaneeswarar temple |
Chakra Peedam |
Kutraalam |
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Kadayam |
Vilvavananaathar temple |
Padma Peedam |
Thenkaasi |
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Thiruppudai Maruthoor |
Naarumboonaathar temple |
Gaanthi Peedam |
Thirunelveli |
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Paapanaasam |
Paapanaasar temple |
Kumari Peedam |
Kanyakumari |
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TWO SABHAS IN THIRUNELVELI DISTRICT |
VAALI WORSHIPPED SHRINES |
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Chithra Sabha (Imagery) |
Thirukutraalam |
Thiruvaaleeswaram |
Thiruvaaleeswaar temple |
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Thaamira Sabha (Copper) |
Thirunelveli |
Keezhappavoor |
Thiruvaleeswarar temple |
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Thenkasi Vaaliyanpaththai |
Thiruvaleeswarar temple |
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DASA VEERATTANA SHRINES (WEST FACING SHIVALAYAS) |
DASARATHA RAMAN WORSHIPPED PANCHALINGA SHRINES |
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Shivasailam |
Shivasailappar temple |
Baktha Shrine |
Kalakkadu |
Sathyavaakeesam |
Vazhuthoor |
Agneeswarar temple |
Mahesa Shrine |
Puthai |
Kulasekaranaatham |
Kodakanalloor |
Avimuktheeswarar temple |
PrAna Linga Shrine |
Pathumaneri |
Nellaiyappar |
Chingikulam |
Kailasanathar temple |
GyAna Linga Shrine |
Devanalloor |
Somanaatham |
Melanatham |
Agneeswarar temple |
CharaNa Shrine |
Chingikulam |
Kailasanatham |
Rajavallipuram |
Agneeswarar temple |
Sahaya Shrine |
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Thenmalai |
Thiruppaatheeswaramudaiyar temple |
Pirasaathi Shrine |
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Angamangalam |
Narasingaeswaramudaiyar temple |
Kriyalinga Shrine |
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Kaayalpattinam |
Meykandeswarar temple |
Thrivitha Sampath Shrine |
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Thirparappu |
Mahadevar Temple |
Panchaakra Shrine |
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SHIVAKAILASAM (AATHI KAILASAM) |
MUPPEEDA SHRINES (3 HOLY PLACES) |
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Brahmadesam |
Kailasanathar temple |
Ambasamudram |
Thirumoolanathar temple |
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Ariyanaayakipuram |
Kailasanathar temple |
Oorkaadu |
Thirugoshtiyoor temple |
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Thirunelveli (Southern Kailasam) |
Thenkailayanathar (Nellaiyappar Kovil) |
Vallanadu |
Thirumoolanathar temple |
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Keezhanatham (Melur) |
Kailasanathar temple |
Note: All the above three temples are being worshipped Shiva Lingam in a 'cup' form |
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Murappa Naadu |
Kailasanathar temple |
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Srivaikundam |
Kailasanathar temple |
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Thenthirupperai |
Kailasanathar temple |
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Chernthapoomangalam |
Kailasanathar temple |
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GangaikoNdaan |
Kailasanathar temple |
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Charriot, Flagstaff, Holy Altar, Processional Deities, Devas, Apsaras Kannigas, Nataraja's Blisful Dance, Moorthi, Shrine, Tank - all these encompasses a famous and hoary holy shrine wherein God Shiva presided Himself as a God of Knowledge and Blessed devotees. |
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NAVA KAILASAM |
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Papanasam |
Surya (Sun) |
Paapanasar, Ulagammai |
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Cheranmadevi |
Chandran (Moon) |
Ammainaathar, Avudainayaki |
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Kodakanaloor |
Sevvai (Mars) |
Kailasanathar, Sivakami |
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Kunnathoor |
Rahu (Gomid) |
Gothaparameshwarar, Sivakami |
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Murappanadu |
Guru (Jupitar) |
Kailasanathar, Sivakami |
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Srivaikundam |
Sani (Saturn) |
Kailasanathar, Sivakami |
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Thenthirupperai |
Buthan (Mercury) |
Kailasanathar, Ponnammal |
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Rajapathi |
Kethu (Cat's eye) |
Kailasanathar, Ponnammal |
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Sernthapoomangalam |
Sukran (Venus) |
Kailasanathar, Ponnammal |
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Besides the above, a reference of presiding Ashtalinga Shrines around Karisoozhnthamangalam - Kaalahastheeswarar temple - a holy shrine called as 'Southern Kalahasthi', has been mentioned in Thirunelveli Sthala Puranam. These temples have been visited and worshipped by Sage Dhurvasa Muni. |