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

Early medieval · Hindu · India

Kalyanasundaresar Temple

திருநல்லூர் பஞ்சவர்ணேசுவரர் கோயில்

Nallur (Tirunallur), Tamil Nadu · 10.9238°, 79.3003°

Shiva (Kalyanasundaresar), consort GirisundariChola—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

800 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

9th c. (Chola); Vijayanagar additions

Chola

History & significance

A 9th-century Chola perunkoil on an elevated platform near Kumbakonam, revered in the 7th-century Tevaram as a Paadal Petra Sthalam. Inscriptions of Uttama Chola and Raja Raja Chola survive, and Vijayanagar dynasties later expanded it.

Sthala katha — the legend

Sage Agastya is said to have witnessed the wedding of Shiva and Parvati at this spot and installed a lingam here.

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Sources

Wikipedia

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