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.

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