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

Masilamaninathar Temple, Tharangambadi

Tharangambadi, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu · 11.0266°, 79.8565°

Shiva (Masilamaninathar), with the goddess AkilandesvariPandyaTamil with Chinese elements
Sacred since
1306 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
1306 (Pandya)
Pandya

History & significance

Built in 1306 by the Pandya king Maravarman Kulasekara Pandiyan I, this is one of the few surviving shore temples in India, standing 300 m north of the Danish Fort Dansborg. Its design mixes Tamil and Chinese elements, said to have been intended to draw Chinese merchants, and it is one of the Vaippu Sthalams sung by the Nayanars Appar and Sundarar.

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Sources

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