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Madambakkam, Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu · 12.8986°, 80.1600°
A Chola temple of the reign of Parantaka Chola II, later consolidated in stone under Kulothunga Chola I, notable for its apsidal gajaprishta vimana shaped like an elephant's back. It had fallen into ruin before being rediscovered and restored by devotees on the guidance of the Kanchi acharya Maha Periyava, and is now a nationally protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.
Sage Kapila, punished for worshipping a Shiva lingam with his left hand, was reborn as a cow; the cow poured its milk over a buried lingam here, and when it was found Shiva granted the sage release.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Chola
Answers only from cited records
Opening the line…