What is the sthala katha — the legend — of Nadutariappar Temple, Kanrappur?

High medieval · Hindu · India

Nadutariappar Temple, Kanrappur

கண்ணாப்பூர் நடுதறியப்பர் கோயில்

Kanrappur, Tamil Nadu · 10.6792°, 79.6898°

Shiva as Nadutariappar, with Parvati as Srivalli NayagiChola—Paadal Petra Sthalam

Sacred since

1000 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

11th c. (Chola)

Chola

History & significance

An 11th-century Chola temple near Tiruvarur with a five-tiered rajagopuram, honoured in the Tevaram hymns of Appar and counted among the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams.

Sthala katha — the legend

A Shaiva woman whose husband smashed her linga worshipped a carpenter's wedge instead; when he swung an axe at it, Shiva manifested from the wedge, giving the deity his name.

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