Nayanmars Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams in Chennai

The Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams are sacred places of the Shaivites on which the Nayanmars sang the glory of Sri Shiva.

Temple built in the Heart: Thiruninravur Hridayaleeswarar Temple
The famous Hridayaleeswarar Temple at Thiruninravur, Chennai suburb, in Tamil Nadu is associated with Poosalar Nayanar. The temple was built by Poosalar Nayanar in his heart by devotional contemplation. The temple was built physically at Thiruninravur by king Mahindra Pallava by a dream command from Lord Shiva.

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Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam: Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple
The famous Kapaleeswarar Temple at Mylapore, Chennai, in Tamil Nadu is a Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Devi Parvati (as Karpagambal) in the form of a peacock (Mayil in Tamil) is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva here. Hence the place is called Mylapore. Thirugnana Sambandar, restored the life of Poompavai, the daughter of a devotee of Lord Shiva (Sivanesa Chettiar) from the ashes (after she died of a snake bite) in this place.

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Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam: Thiruvadisoolam Jnanapureeswarar Temple
The famous Jnanapureeswarar Temple at Thiruvadisoolam, Chennai suburb, in Tamil Nadu is a Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Sri Sanatkumara is said to have worshipped the Lord here.

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Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam: Padi (Thiruvalithayam) Thiruvalleeswarar Temple
The famous Thiruvalleeswarar Temple at Padi (Thiruvalithayam), Chennai, in Tamil Nadu is a Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. According to legend, Sri Ganesha married the two daughters of Lord Brahma here.

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Thirumullaivoyal Masalimaneeswarar - Kodiyidai Amman Temple

Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam: Thirumullaivoyal Masilamaneeswarar Temple
The famous Masilamaneeswarar Temple at Thirumullaivoyal, Chennai, in Tamil Nadu is a Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. It is said that the Shiva Lingam is found in mullai creepers when a king cleared the creepers which entangled the feet of his elephant. The king installed the Shiva Lingam and by the grace of Shiva was victorious in war.

The famous Kodiyidai Amman Temple at Thirumullaivoyal, Chennai, in Tamil Nadu is one of the Tri-Shakti temples in and around Chennai. Devi Kodiyidai Amman represents Kriya Shakti (Power of Activity). The other two temples are Melur Thiruvudai Amman Temple representing Iccha Shakti (Power of Will) and Thiruvottiyur Vadivudai Amman Temple representing Jnana Shakti (Power of Knowledge).

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Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam: Thiruvanmiyur Marundeeswarar Temple
The famous Marundeeswarar Temple at Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai, in Tamil Nadu is a Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. Thirugyanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar have sung devotional hymns on the Lord here.

Lord Shiva here as Marundeeswarar is said to be a divine physician who taught sage Agastya about medicinal herbs.

According to another legend, Kamadhenu the celestial cow worshipped Lord Shiva here to get rid of a curse by sage Vashistha. Everyday she used to offer her milk to the Lord. One day when some king's men tried to capture her, she trying to escape accidentally hit the Lingam with her hooves. The Lingam even today bear the hoof marks and the Lord came to be known as Palvannathar. The Lord released Kamadhenu from her curse and blessed her.

Sage Valmiki is also said to have worshipped the Lord here and according to his wish permanently abided here. The place came to be known as Thiruvanmiyur.

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Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam: Thiruverkadu Vedapureeswarar Temple
The famous Vedapureeswarar Temple at Thiruverkadu, Chennai suburb, in Tamil Nadu is a Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam. It is said that Lord Shiva blessed sage Agasthiyar with a vision of His marriage with Devi Parvati in this place. Sage Agasthiyar could not attend the marriage in person (which was taking place in the Himalayas in the North), since he was sent by Lord Shiva to go to South and maintain the balance of the earth which could get unbalanced due to the huge assembly of gods, kings and others during His marriage in the North.

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Thiruvottiyur Adipureeswarar - Vadivudai Temple

Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam: Thiruvottiyur Adipurishwarar & Thayagarajar Temple
The famous Adipurishwarar & Thayagarajar Temple at Thiruvottiyur, Chennai, in Tamil Nadu is a Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam.

The famous Vadivudai Amman Temple at Thiruvottiyur, Chennai, in Tamil Nadu is one of the Tri-Shakti temples in and around Chennai. Devi Vadivudai Amman represents Jnana Shakti (Power of Knowledge). The other two temples are Melur Thiruvudai Amman Temple representing Iccha Shakti and Thirumullaivoyal Kodiyidai Amman Temple representing Kriya Shakti.

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