What is the sthala katha — the legend — of Adhi Ratneswarar Temple?

Early medieval · Hindu · India

Adhi Ratneswarar Temple

திருவாடானை ஆதிரத்தினேசுவரர் கோயில்

Tiruvadanai, Tamil Nadu · 9.7984°, 78.9711°

Shiva as Adhi Ratneswarar, with SnehavalliUndetermined—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

600 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

by 7th c. (Tevaram era)

Undetermined

History & significance

A major shrine of Ramanathapuram district, one of the fourteen Tevaram-praised Shiva temples of the Pandya country and of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, its gopuram carrying fine Dravidian work.

Sthala katha — the legend

Vaaruni, cursed to bear an elephant's body with a goat's head, is said to have regained his form by worshipping Shiva here, giving Tiruvadanai its name.

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