Religious/ Spiritual

Kandal cross is Roman Catholic church located in Nilgiri and is the best church for the Nilgiri Catholics of the place. It is considered to be the Holy Shrine of the place. It is also the Calvary of Tamilnadu and is located near Udhagamandalam.

Alangudi, also known as Gurusthal (abode of Guru - Jupiter), is a picturesque and serene village near to the temple town of Kumbakonam. The prime attraction in this village is the temple dedicated to planet Jupiter (Guru).

Kanjanoor temple is located in the northern bank of river Cauvery in the outskirts of the temple town of Kumbakonam. The traditional belief is that Kanjanur temple is dedicated particularly to Planet Venus, even though there is no idol for the planet Venus. The presiding deity is Lord Agneeswarar. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself represents Venus at this temple. This temple is located in the close vicinity to famous Surynar Koil.

Keezhperumpallam temple is known as the temple dedicated to Kethu, the descending phase of moon. Kethu is one of the nine planets as per Hindu mythology. The presiding deity is a form of Lord Shiva known as Nagananthaswamy with his consort Soundaranayagi. There is a holy in the temple premises.

Suriyanar Koil (the temple for Sun) is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. In this temple shrines for other planets are also placed surrounding the main temple for Sun. The images of Surya God and two of his consorts are seen at this temple in impressive aesthetically attractive statues. The temple’s location is perfectly selected to receive maximum energy and beneficial rays from the planets and hence has astronomical significance.

Thingalur temple is dedicated to Moon (Chandra). Thingalur means land (Oor) of Moon (Thingal). The temple is placed perfectly at a walking distance from Suryanar Koil. There is a beautiful Shiva Lingam enshrined at this place. The idol of Periyanayagi.(Goddess Parvati – consort of Lord Shiva) also adorns the temple. Idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Muruga with two of his consorts Devayani and Valli are also worshipped at this shrine. The small temple dedicated to moon is placed little distance away form the main temple of Shiva.

Thirunageshwaram temple is devoted to the planet Rahu, the ascending node of Moon. Rahu is described as a snake. The idol in this renowned temple is in the human form with serpent image at the back. The prime idol of Rahu is seen with his consort. The main deity is Lord Shiva. There is an attractive Parvathi shrine as well.

The legends say that a saint who was affected by the bad influence of Rahu prayed to Lord Shiva to eradicate the wrong influence of Rahu at this place. Lord Shiva blessed the saint as per his his desire at Thirunageswaram.

The Thirunallar is a calm and scenic village located near to Karaikal town of Pondicherry. The presiding deity in this temple is Dharbaranyeswara Swami, a form of Lord Shiva. Thirunallar is the abode of the planet Saturn. Mythology tells the Nala, an epic character, took shelter in this temple and prayed to the presiding deity Lord Shiva to give relief from the clutches of Saturn. With his devotion to Shiva t this temple, he could come out from the bad effects of Saturn.