![]() Legends: Shiva was worshipped by Kamadenu, the celestial nymphs and the Airavatam. Appar was blessed with the marks of the Rishabham and Trisoolam here. There is also the Nandi Mangalam here where Shiva consumed the deadly poison from the milky ocean, hence the name Pralayakaleswarar-Sundareswarar. Nandi faces away from the shrine and is said to have swallowed the waters of the great deluge. Temple: This is one of the 78 shrines built by Kochenkan Cholan at an elevation. The shrine at the upper level (100 steps) houses Javanteeswarar. A five-tiered gopuram adorns the gateway of this temple. The sanctum is built in the form of an elephant, with windows on 3 sides. The Nandi faces away from the sanctum. Inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagar periods are seen here. Festivals: The annual festival is celebrated in the month of Chittirai with several vahanams and chariots. Other festivals celebrated include Kartikai Deepam, Skanda Sashti, Arudra Darisanam, Thai Poosam, Sankaranti, Pankuni Uthiram and Aadi Pooram. |