Old important Siva and Vishnu Temples. Siva Devara Sthalam: Thirumandhurai, Thirukodikaval, Tirupandhal, Tarasuram, Keezhi Pazharai, Temples. Kumbakonam.

Thirumandhurai: Siva temple

This is one of 275 important ones.

Distance: 5kms from Adhudurai. Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Aksharanadhar and Lokhanayaki. Importance: Periyapuranam says Sambandhar has worshipped Siva in this place.This place is known as vaippu sthalam.
Thirukodikaval: Siva temple

one of 275 important ones.
Distance: 12kms from Thiruvidaimarudhar.

Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Thirukodeeswarar and Vadavambiki amman. Sthala Vruksham:Perambu (cane variety).Teertham: Kaveri River.

Importance: Ganesha of this place is known as karai atrum vinayakar. Nataraja idol is made of stone here which is rare thing. Chitragupta and Yama have separate sanctum here.

Navakkuarasar sang hymns on Siva. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh.
Thirupandhal: Siva temple

one of 275 important one
Distance:10kms from Adhudurai.

Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Arunajadeswarar and Perainayaki. Sthala Vruksham: Panai (palm).Teertham: Brahma, Iravadha and Manniarru.

Importance: Thadakai was worshipping God for a child. One day when she was performing pooja and she was about to garland the God at that time her saree was about fall down and she managed to hold it and try to put the garland. Siva wanted to help her in putting the garland to him so he bent down to front.

From that day the Deity was not straight. King tried to straighten with his labor power but failed in the task. Kukuliakalai nayanar an ardent devotee of Siva and one of the nayanmars tied a chain to his neck and to linga and tried to straighten it by his devotion.

Sambandhar and Navakkuarasar sang hymns about Siva here. Arunagirinadhar’s contribution to Thirupugazh.Temple is also known as Thadagaeeswaram and lord as Thadagaeesaramudaiar.
Tharasuram: Siva temple.

one of panchakrodha sthalam. The temple is 3kms from Kumbakonam.

Main Deity: Iravadeeswarar and Dhaivanayaki amman.
Teertham: Brahma teertham. Sthala Vruksham: Padari.

Importance: Iravatham lost its white in colour due to curse of Dhoorvasa muni. It prayed Siva of this place and got its colour changed back. So the name of Siva here is Iravadeeswarar. Asuras named Thara worshipped here so the name Tharasuram.

The temple is full of pillars with intricated work. Mandapam is like a charriot and we see stone horses and elephant to pull it. There is Ardhanareeswara carving three heads and eight hands. Most of the pillars we see Dragon like thing carved with elephant face and horns like goat and lion body.

Each and every pillar has beautiful carvings to enjoy and feel this a day is not sufficient. There are miniature carvings like Ganesh and Soma skander which is equal to the size of match stick.Carvings of Meenakshi kalayanam Manmadha vadham and Kailasa is found.

We see kannappa nayanar, Ganga, sarswathi and vishnu sculpture near the entrance of sanctum. Ravana lifting kailsa sculpture is also here.

The Goddess is seen in different temple next to main temple.Yamuna and Ganges are dwarabalika for Goddess.
Keezhi pazharai: Siva temple.

One of 275 Devara sthalam
Distance: 12kms from Kumbakonam and 2kms from patteeswaram.

Main Deity: Swayambu linga known as Somanadhar and his consort known as somakalambikai. Teertham: Soma teertham. Sthala Vruksham:Nelli (amla).

Importance:Garuda wanted to release his mother from being a slave so he got pot full of nectar from Indra as he was on his way back he was attacked by asuras and three drops of nectar fell down in this place.

Each drop formed as Linga, Goddess and teertam. Garuda had a dip in the teertham and worshiped Siva here and was blessed. He made a pond known as Jatayu teertham.

Chandra was blessed in this place from the curse he had and it was changed to that he to grow from the half moon day and gradually decreasing from full moon day onwards. It was second capital city of Cholas.

Navakkuarasar sang hymns on Siva of this place.