Tirunaavalur Naavaleesar Temple

Tirunaavalur Naavaleesar Temple is the 8th of the 22 Tevara Stalams in the Nadu Naadu region of Tamilnadu.

Legend: Shiva was worshipped by Parvati, Vishnu, Chandikeswarar, Sukran and Garudan. Images depicting the life of Chandikeswarar are seen carved in the temple. The Shivalingam is placed across from Sukran`s shrine and is called to as Sukralingam.

Temple: Rajaditya Chola, the son of Parantaka Chola, was stationed as the commander of the Chola army at Mouli Gramam (known as Gramam today) nearby; Tirunavalur was then known as Rajadityapuram, and the Shiva temple as Rajadityeswaram. Inscriptions refer to the existence of Kalinareeswaram, a Shiva temple from the Pallava period, and a Vishnu temple (Tiru Metrali Maha Vishnu temple) and the Agastyeswarar temple, none of which exist now. The stone structure came into being during the time of Parantaka and Rajaditya. Dakshinamurthy is portrayed in a standing posture, bearing scriptures in one hand, with the right hand placed on a rishabham portrayed behind.

A five-tiered rajagopuram adorns the entrance to this temple. There is a shrine for Sundaramoorthy Nayanar in this temple. The bronze images of Natarajar, Bhikshatanar and Sundaramoorthy Nayanar are noteworthy. There is a shrine to Varadaraja Perumal in this temple. Ambal`s shrine is located in a separate enclosure, also facing east. Two theerthams the Gomukhi Theertham and Garuda Theertham adorn this temple.