There are nine significant Shiva temples (Paadal Petra
Sthalams) in and around Kanchipuram that are revered in Thevaram. All these
temples can be visited in a day, based on my travel experience the optimal
sequence (based on distance and temple open timings) of the pilgrimage is suggested below. This sequence is suitable for those
travelling from Chennai/Vellore or from any other place approaching Kanchipuram
through Chennai Bangalore National Highway. This plan is based on private mode of transportation like car/auto, if using public transportation it may not be possible cover all the locations in a day since the frequency and coverage of public transport is limited. The other option is to use public transport until Kanchipuram bus stand and from there cab or auto can be hired. Kanchipuram is well connected from Chennai and many other cities of Tamil Nadu. Overall distance for the round trip upto Kanchipuram bus stand is approximately 105 kms. Please share to others.
1. Kanchipuram-Kachi Neri Karaikadu –
Sathyanatha Swamy Temple
Location/
Directions |
Thirukalimedu which is 2 kms from Kanchipuram bus stand
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Distance/Time
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2 kms, 10 mins
travel.
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Temple Timings
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7 am to 1 pm, 4 pm to 7 pm
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Sugg. Visit Time
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7 am
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Lord Siva
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Sathyanatha Swamy, Sathya viradheswarar, Karai Thirunadheswarar
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Ambal
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Brahmambigai
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Sung by
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Thirugnanasambandar
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Significance
Suyambu (self-manifested) lingam with a coarse and slight reddish
texture, it is said that the colour of the lingam changes in accordance with
the prevailing social conditions. Indra, the lord of the devas worshipped
here and created a tank – Indra theetham. This temple is also famous for
Budhan (planet mercury), those who have unfavorable position of Budhan in
their horoscope can seek the grace of the Lord Shiva by worshipping on
Wednesday.
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2. Makaral-Thiru Makaraleswarar
Temple
Location/
Directions |
This temple is located on the
Kanchipuram--Uthiramerur route at a place called Makaral. From Thirukalimedu, Uthiramerur road can be reached via Amudhapadi back street. Keep contuining crossing Orikkai and Kuruvimalai.After crossing Melperamanallur bus stop, Uthiramerur road turns sharp right. At this junction, take left to reach the temple
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Distance/Time
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15 kms from previous point, 30 mins drive
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Temple Timings
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7:30 am to 12 pm, 5 pm to 8 pm
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Sugg.Visit Time
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8 am
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Lord Siva
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Makaraleswarar, Adaikalamkatha nathar,Udumbeesar
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Ambal
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Thiribhuvana nayaki
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Sung by
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Thirugnanasambandar – 1
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Significance
Unique Siva lingam in the form of tail of a monitor lizard (Udumbu in
Tamil, hence one of the name is Udumbeesar). Offering prayers is said to
alleviate the fear of death; childless couple are graced with a child.
As per the legend, Brahma created a lingam here and worshipped the
lord for the redemption of His curse.
While returning back to Brahmaloka, Brahma created a Jack fruit tree
that would produce delicious jack fruit every day. Rajendra Chola, son of
Raja raja Chola made an arrangement in such a way that these fruits will be
offered to Lord Nataraja in Chidambaram everyday and later delivered to the
King’s palace as the prasadham. This continued for a few period of time.
One of the workmen associated with this task of transporting jack
fruits found it hard to repeat every day and he felled the jack fruit tree
and fled away fearing the wrath of the king. Rajendra chola was extremely
disappointed and he himself set forth in search of the missing person along
with some of his guards.
While the search was going on, the King spotted a monitor lizard with
a golden hue running towards a bush. He sent his guards to hunt the monitor
lizard and blood started gushing from its tail due to the attack. At this
point, the King fainted and soon after his recovery, he was made to realize
by a cosmic voice that the monitor Lizard is none other than the Lord himself
and expanded this temple construction as per the divine impulse. If this
temple is visited during Abhishekham time, we can see the complete tail form
of the Lingam.
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3. Kanchipuram-Kuranganilmuttam -
Thiru Valeeswarar Temple
Location/
Directions |
From Makaral, retrace the route back on Uthiramerur road towards Kuruvimalai. At kuruvimalai, there will be a bridge and just before the brdige, there will be a small road on the left side which needs to be taken. From this point, the road will be narrow and winding upto the destination. Keep contuining until you reach the Pallava caves (one of the ASI monument), from this point the temple is within 200 metres.
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Distance/Time
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15 kms from previous point, 30 min drive
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Temple Timings
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7 am to 10 am, 4 pm to 7 pm. Avoid travelling after sunset since the roads
are narrow and poorly lit making navigation difficult.
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Sugg. Visit Time
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9 am
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Lord Siva
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Valeeswarar, Koyyamalai nathar
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Ambal
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Irayar Valaiammai
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Sung by
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Thirugnanasambandar – 1
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Significance
Vali (brother of Sughriva), Indra and Yama worshipped Lord Siva in
this temple in the form of Monkey, Squirrel and Crow respectively. Hence the
name Kuranganilmuttam – Kurangu (Monkey form – Vali) + Anil (Squirrel form –
Indra)+ Muttam (Crow form – Yama). The temple tank – Kakkai theertham is said
to be created by Yama himself when he had assumed the crow form.
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4. Cheyyar -Vedapureeswarar Temple
Location/
Directions |
From Kuranganilmuttam, travel to Dusi village which is about 1.5 kms in the west. Turn left onto Kanchipuram - Tiruvannamali road, after travelling 5.5 kms you will reach Indian Bank Mangal cross road, take right turn towards Cheyyar - Kanchipuram road. At the end of this road, take left turn on Cheyyar road to reach the temple via Gandhi road.
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Distance/Time
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27 kms from previous point, 45 mins drive.
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Temple Timings
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6 am to 12 pm, 4 pm to 8:30 pm
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Sugg.Visit Time
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10:15 am
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Lord Siva
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Vedhapureeswarar, Vedhanathar
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Ambal
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Balakusambigai, Ilamulainayagi
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Sung by
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Thirugnanasambandar - 1
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Significance
Lord Siva bestowed the vedic knowledge to Devas and Sages, hence He
is known as Vedhapureeswar. Nandi in this temple does not face the lord,
instead facing towards the entrance of the temple. Lord Muruga worshipped His father in this
shrine.
Thirugnanasambandar while visiting this temple did a miracle of
converting male Palmyra tree (Panai Tree in tamil) into female tree on the
request of a staunch devotee who lived here.
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5. Thiruppanangadu Thalapureeswarar
Temple
Location/
Directions |
From Gandhi road, drive towards Cheyyar road (right turn at toll gate bus stop). Pass by devi theatre and turn left towards SH5. After about 7 km take right turn and keep continuing till Arcot-Kanchipuram road.After 6 kms turn left and keep continuing till we reach Thiruppanangadu, from there take a right turn to reach the temple at 2 kms
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Distance/Time
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24 kms from previous point, 45 mins drive
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Temple Timings
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7 am to 12 pm, 5 pm to 8 pm
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Sugg. Visit Time
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11:30 am
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Lord Siva
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Panankattu eswarar, Thalapureeswarar,Krubanadheswarar
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Ambal
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Amirtavalli, Krubanayagi
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Sung by
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Sundarar - 1
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Significance
On entering the temple, you can see two temples each with its own set
of Nandi, Altar and Sanctum. On the right side is Krubanadheswarar, and on
the left is Thalapureeswarar. Similarly there are two Ambal shrines.
Thalapureeswarar lingam was founded by Sage Agastya while he was
alone in the southern part of the world when all others were in the northern
part during the Lord Siva’s marriage. Krubhanadheswarar lingam was founded by
sage Pulastya, the disciple of Agastya. Hence it is a custom to first worship
Thalapuleeswarar and then Krubhanadheswarar.
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After you finish dharshan in this temple, it will be almost 12:30 PM and the temples would be closed .till at least 4 pm. Hence lunch break and rest can be taken during this time slot There are no hotels available in Thirupanangadu, hence you can proceed directly to Ekambareswarar temple where good hotels are available in the nearby vicinity.
6. Kanchipuram - Ekambareswarar Temple
Location/
Directions
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From Thirupanangadu village, take the Arcot-Kanchipuram and after about 7 kms take the left into Arcot-kanchipuram after passing TMPPL. Keep contuining until thayarkulam st and take right and again left unto Pachaiyappan street. Keep contuining to reach the temple.
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Distance/Time
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18 kms from the previous point, 40 mins drive
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Temple Timings
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6 am to 12:30 pm, 4 pm to 8:30 pm
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Sugg. Visit Time
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4 pm
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Lord Siva
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Ekambareswarar
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Ambal
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Kamatchi Amman
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Sung by
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Appar – 7, Thirugnanasambandar – 4, Sundarar - 1
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Significance
This magnificent temple is crown among all the Siva temples in Kanchipuram. One among the pancha bootha sthalams (5 temples dedicated to elements) representing the earth. Lingam in the main sanctum is made of sand.
As per the legend, Parvati once closed the eyes of Lord Siva playfully because of which the entire universe went in dark. However, He restored the light by opening the third eye. He instructed Parvati Devi to go to earth and do a penance on Him to absolve Herself from the sin resulting due to hardship caused to the lives existing in the universe. Paying respect to the Lord’s command, She came to Kanchipuram, created a Siva lingam out of sand from Kamba river bank and started severe penance. After some point in time, there was a heavy flood in the river and water level rapidly rose. Parvati completely embraced the Lingam and protected from being washed away by the flood. This flood was caused by Lord Himself to show the world the greatness of Parvati’s penance. Lord appeared and married Her, the divine mother started gracing as Kamatchi Amman in Kanchipuram. It is said that the Siva lingam still bears the impressions created by Her while embracing.
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7. Kanchipuram-Onakkandhan Thali
Temple
Location/
Directions |
Panjupettai Big Street
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Distance/Time
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1.4 kms from Ekambareswarar temple on the back side. 5 mins drive.
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Temple Timings
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7 am to 9 am, 5 pm to 7 pm
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Sugg. Visit Time
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5:15 pm
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Lord Siva
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Oneswarar,Kandheswarar,Salandheswarar
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Ambal
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Kamatchi Amman
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Sung by
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Sundarar - 1
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Significance
Asuras – Onan and Kandhan worshipped the lord here for their
redemption, hence the name Onakkandhanthali. There are three sanctums and
three lingams, the first one located directly in line with the entrance is a
great sight to behold. Lingam is quite big with thick bands of Vibhudi
adorning.
Sundarar prayed to this Lord for bestowing wealth on him, his pathigam
on this temple is set in a humorous tone mildly criticizing the Lord for not
giving him wealth.
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8. Kanchipuram-Kachi Anegathangapadheswarar Temple
Location/
Directions
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From Onakandhanthali temple, left turn into Panjupettai st and after reaching the main road turn left into Kanchipuram-Tirupati highway. Turn left at Oli Muhammed Pettai Jumma masjid and keep continuing till you turn right at Sathankuttai street.Keep going until you turn right at Kailasanathar temple to reach the temple.
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Distance/Time
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2.2 kms from the previous point, 15 mins drive
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Temple Timings
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7 am to 10 am, 5 pm to 7 pm
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Sugg. Visit Time
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6 pm
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Lord Siva
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Anegathangapadheswarar
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Ambal
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Kamatchi Amman
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Sung by
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Sundarar - 1
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Significance
Lord Ganesha created the Shiva lingam and worshipped. It is said that Kubera also have worshipped here. This temple has been mentioned in Kanchipuranam.
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Note: - Kailasanathar temple is about 100 metres away from the temple, yet another great temple and a must visit. This temple is about 100 years and was build by Narasimha pallava ,has a huge Siva lingam almost in the size of Thanjavur Brahadeeswarar temple. Also inside the main sanctum there is a narrow passage circumambulating the Lord, the entry point on the left represents the death and exit point on the right represents the birth.
9. Kanchipuram-Thiru Metrali Nathar temple
Location/
Direction
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Proceed east on Kailasanathar road and turn right at raja cafe into Krishnan street. Keep continuing and turn right at Thirugnanasambandar temple into Metrali street to reach the temple.
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Distance/Time
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1.5 km from the previous point, 10 mins drive
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Temple Timings
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7 am to 12 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
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Sugg. Visit Time
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7:30 pm
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Lord Siva
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Thirumetralinathar
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Ambal
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Kamatchi Amman
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Sung by
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Appar – 1, Sundarar - 1
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Significance
Lord Vishnu once wanted to attain the Linga form and Lord Siva told that His desire will be fulfilled when Thirugnanasambandar visits this shrine. Subsequently Lord Vishnu was on a long penance praying to the Suyambu lingam here, Thirugnanasambandar during his visit was singing the praise of the Lord. Listening to the soulful rendering of Sambandar, Lord Vishnu slowly transformed himself into the Linga form except His foot. This is the only temple where you can see the Linga form of Vishnu and also His lotus feet in front of the lingam.
In front of the temple entrance, on the other end of street is a small temple dedicated to Thirugnanasambandar.
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Overall Route Map - approx 105 kms
Map can be downloaded using this link
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