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

High medieval · Hindu · India

Devanathaswamy Temple

Thiruvanthipuram, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu · 11.7450°, 79.7094°

Devanatha (Vishnu)CholaDravidianDivya Desam

Sacred since

1000 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

11th c. (Chola); expanded to 16th c.

Chola

History & significance

The Divya Desam of Thiruvahindrapuram near Cuddalore, the only historic South Indian temple with a hilltop Hayagriva shrine; over fifty inscriptions record Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara patronage from Kulothunga I to Achyuta Deva Raya.

Sthala katha — the legend

When Garuda delayed fetching sacred water, the serpent Adishesha is said to have struck open a well whose water still serves the daily rituals.

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Sources

Wikipedia

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Chola