Palace Devastanam Shiva Temples

The Palace Devastanam Shiva Temples are the Shiva temples in and around Thanjavur in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India.

Palace Devastanam

Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam comprises 88 temples. They are maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. ^{[1] [2] [3]} Of the 88 temples, the Shiva are found. They include the following.

Brihadisvara Temple

Main article: Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur

Thanjavur Sankaranarayanar Temple

Main article: Thanjavur Sankaranarayanar Temple

Manikarnikesvarar Temple

This temple was built by Serfoji II in commemoration of the holy bath taken by him at Manikarni ghat at Kasi. ^[4] Located at East Street, the presiding deity of the temple is Manikarnikesvarar. His consort is known as Mangalanayaki Amman. This temple has front mandapa, vimana and prakara. Shrines of Vinayaka, Muruga, Chandikesvara, Navagraha, Chandikesvari and Durga are found.

South Main Street Visvanathasvami Temple

Located at South Main Street, the presiding deity is known as Kasi Visvanathar. This temple has two entrances one at South Main Street and another at Ellayammankoil Street. It has gopura, mandapa, vimana. Among others, Vinayaka, Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Bairava, Sani, Dakshinamurti, Durga and Chandikesvara are found.

Virabhadra Temple

Of the two temples located at the East Gate of Thanjavur Fort, this temple is found in the south side. The sculpture of Virabhadra found in Kumbakonam Virabhadra Temple resembles the presiding deity of this temple. ^[4] It is in standing position. The goddess is known as Nishtambikai. This temple has vimana and front mandapa.

Vasisteswarasvami Temple

Main article: Vasishtesvarar Temple, Karunthittaikkudi

Meenakshi Sundaresvarar Temple

Located at Karunthattankudi, the presiding deity is known as Sundaresvarar and the goddess Meenakshi. This temple has shrines of goddess, Chandikesvara. In the kosta, Dakshinamurti, Lingodbava and Durga are found. In the prakara among others, Vinayaka, Mahalingam, Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Navagraha, Bairava and Surya are found. The Kumbabishegam was held on 30 April 1990 and 31 August 2007.

Naganathasvami Temple

Located at Kumbakonatthan Street, the presiding deity is known as Naganathasvami and the goddess Akilandesvari. In the kosta, Dakshinamurti and Durga are found. In the mandapa,a among others, Vinayaka, Gajalakshmi, Muruga with Valli and Deivanai, Navagraha, Bairava and Surya are found.

Poomalai Vaithinathar Temple

The presiding deity is known as Vaithianathesvarar and the goddess as Balambikai. It has mandapas and two entrances, one leads to the shrine of the presiding deity and the another to the goddess. In the inner mandapa Surya, Sanisvara, Bhairava and found. In the kosta, Dakshinamurti and Lingodbhava are found. Shiva with yogapatta is found in this temple. Gowmari sculpture is found nearby.

Vijaya Mandapam Thiagarajar Temple

Located at Manambuchavady, it has sculptures of Thiagaraja and Kamalambal in the sanctum sanctorum. In front of the temple a small chariot like mandapa pulled by two elephants is found. In front of sanctum sanctorum Vinayaka and Muruga are found.

Punnainallur Kailasanathar Temple

Main article: Punnainallur Kailasanathar Temple

Dayanidheeswarar Temple

Main article: Dayanidheeswarar Temple

Airavatesvara Temple

Main article: Airavatesvara Temple

Thiruvisanallur Sivayoginathar Temple

Main article: Thiruvisanallur Sivayoginathar Temple

See also

• Palace Devastanam Vinayaka Temples
• Palace Devastanam Amman Temples

References

1. Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam, Thanjavur 613 009
2. தஞ்சாவூர் அரண்மனை தேவஸ்தானத்தைச் சேர்ந்த ஆலயங்கள், தஞ்சை இராஜராஜேச்சரம் திருக்குட நன்னீராட்டுப் பெருவிழா மலர், 1997
3. J.M.Somasundaram Pillai, The Great Temple at Tanjore, [Tanjore Palace Devastanams, II Edn 1958] Rpt 1994, Tamil University, Thanjavur
4. குடவாயில் பாலசுப்ரமணியன், தஞ்சாவூர், அஞ்சனா பதிப்பகம், தஞ்சாவூர் 613 007, 1997

Gallery

• 
  Manikarnikeswarar Temple
• 
  South Main Street Kasi Viswanathar Temple
• 
  Virabhadra Temple
• 
  Vasishtesvarar Temple
• 
  Meenakshi Sundaresvarar Temple
• 
  Naganathasvami Temple
• 
  Poomalai Vaithinathar Temple
• 
  Vijaya Mandapam Thiagarajar Temple