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Early medieval · Hindu · India
Manathunainathar Temple, Valivalam
வலிவலம் மனத்துணைநாதர் கோயில்
Valivalam, Tamil Nadu · 10.6514°, 79.6918°
Shiva as Manathunainathar, with Parvati as Maazhai OnkanniEarly Chola—Paadal Petra Sthalam
Sacred since
600 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
by 7th c. (attr. Early Chola king Kocengannan); renovated later
Early Chola
History & significance
One of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, glorified in Tevaram hymns by Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar, and traditionally attributed to the Early Chola king Kocengannan. It is classed as a Madakkoil, built raised so that an elephant cannot climb its steps.