Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

2271 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
High medieval · Hindu · India

Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam Temple, Pathai

Pathai, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu · 8.5390°, 77.5457°

Shiva as Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam, with the goddess Sugandha KuntalambikaUndetermined
Sacred since
1000 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
dating unrecorded; reconsecrated 31 January 1971
Undetermined

History & significance

A Shiva temple on the Pachaiyar river at Pathai in Tirunelveli district whose naming and iconography reflect Chera, Chola and Pandya influence. Now largely dilapidated, its processional images were moved to the Nellaiappar Temple at Tirunelveli for safekeeping after an attempted theft, and a devotees' forum works for its revival.

Sthala katha — the legend

The lingam is said to have been found when a cow fell at the spot, and Rama is held to have worshipped here on his way to Lanka in search of Sita.

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Sources

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