Religious/ Spiritual

Amirthaghateswarar Shrine in Thirukkadaiyur is a famous temple dedicated to Amirthaghateswarar, a form of Lord Shiva. People worship in this temple to get long life. The temple legends go with the story of Markendeya.

The temple, located in a vast expanse of 11 acres, was constructed in the grand temple architecture style of the Cholas. It has five Prakarams, attractive mandapams and imposing temple towers. The temple history tells that the construction was in 11th century AD.

Subrahmanya Temple in Thiruchendur is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Muruga set up on the background of serene and soft sand sea shore. Mythological stories narrate the killing of Surapadman, a demon by Lord Muruga in this place. Skanda Sashti is a famous festival day in this temple and an enactment of the demon’s killing Soorasamharam is performed at this temple.

The temple walls and the surroundings have Inscriptions of King Ukkira Pandian and other kings ruled over this region. The Lord of this temple is known for centuries and the epic works Tiruppugazh by Arunagirinathar and Tirumurugatruppadai by Nakkeerar are based on the Lord Muruga of this temple. This temple is visted by thousands of devotees from all over the world every year.

Aalangudi Temple: The Aalangudi temple is the abode of Lord Guru and is located in the district of Thanjavur. Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison Alavisham in this place and hence the name Aalangudi. In this temple the deity faces the South direction as he is the Lord of Dhanusu and Meena Rasi.

Built by King Rajaraja, the Brihadeeswarar Temple represents the crown jewel of Chola temple architecture and artisanship. With its 63 meter tall gopuram, this temple dominates over the Thanjavur landscape. The main chamber houses a 81 tonne, single piece of granite, Shiva Lingam. This temple is one of the longest, continuously worshipped temples in the world. It is the center piece of what the UNESCO refers to as the Great Living Chola Temples - a World Heritage Site.

The Brihadeeswarar Temple is open daily and there are no charges for entry into the temple.

The Chandra Bagawan temple or the moon temple is the second important navagrhangal temple situated in and around the temple town of Thanjavur. It is about 25 km towards the north of Thanjavur and is often visited by people who are under the bad effects of Chandra as per their horoscopes.

The Guru Baghawan temple is also known as Sri Abathsagayeswara Swamy Temple and is considered to be the main sthalam for the Lord Guru. This temple is located at a distance of 17 kilometers away from Kumbakonam on the route to Mannargudi.

Guru Baghawan is worshipped for the aspects of fame, wealth and siblings and going around the deity 24 times as well as lighting 24 ghee filled lamps in front of the deity is believed to remove all the bad effects and to bring prosperity to the devotee. Guru Homam and milk abhishekam are the main poojas performed on Lord Guru in this temple.

The Kanchanur temple is associated with Sukhran which represents planet Venus which is one among the Navagrahas. It is located near Thiruvavaduthurai near Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur district. This temple, also known as Bhrammapuri or Agnisthalam, has to prakarams and five tiered Rajagopuram at the entrance. The Mukti Mandapam contains Natarajar and Shivagami statues and it is believed that Lord Shiva blesses Parasaramuni with his cosmic dance or the Mukti Thandavam here.

The Keelaperumpallam Temple with its main deity as Kethu Bagawan is located at 6 km from Thiruvengaadu on the way to Poompuhar on the Poompuhar-Mayiladuthurai road. The presiding deities include Naaganaadaswamy and his wife Ambal and the deity is placed facing North West direction in this temple. Kethu Bagawan is seen in this temple to be worshipping Naaganaadaswamy with his hands held high.

The Kethu temple is located at 57 km away from the town of Kumbakonam and is one of the Navagraha temples that is located in the Thanjavur district. The specialty of this temple is that it will remain open even during Raahu kalam and Emakandam.

It is believed that Kethu worshipped Lord Shiva at this place and one can see the deity of Kethu with his head in this temple which is a rare sight. By praying to Kethu Bagawan, one can get rid of doshams like bad habits, loss of property and fears of dacoits.

The Lord Murugan temple is situated about 5 kilometers to the west of Kumbakonam and is on the banks of the famous river Cauvery's tributary. The temple is easily approached from the bus stand and railway station in Kumbakonam and is at a distance of 2 kilometer from these places.