What is the sthala katha — the legend — of Aksheeswaraswamy Temple?

High medieval · Hindu · India

Aksheeswaraswamy Temple

Acharapakkam, Tamil Nadu · 12.4009°, 79.8176°

Shiva (Aksheeswaraswamy / Atchikontantar), with Parvati as SundaranayagiChola (Kulothunga Chola I)—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

600 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

Chola period, 11th-12th c.; Pallava-era origin

Chola (Kulothunga Chola I)

History & significance

A Shiva temple at Acharapakkam revered in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canon Tevaram, making it a Paadal Petra Sthalam. Imitation amphorae of the 6th-7th century found at the site and inscriptions recording Chola donations give it archaeological as well as devotional value.

Sthala katha — the legend

A Pandya king is said to have followed a golden iguana that vanished beneath a tree; digging there revealed a linga, and the sage Trinedhrathari built two sanctums over it.

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