What is the sthala katha — the legend — of Sivalokanathar Temple, Gramam?

Late medieval · Hindu · India

Sivalokanathar Temple, Gramam

Gramam, Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu · 11.8500°, 79.4044°

Shiva as Sivalokanathar (consort Soundaranayagi)VijayanagaraDravidian

Sacred since

940 CE

first attestation / structure

Standing structure

16th c. Vijayanagara (Chola-period origin)

Vijayanagara

History & significance

A Paadal Petra Sthalam in Viluppuram district whose original Chola complex was rebuilt in masonry by Vijayanagara kings in the 16th century. It was converted into a stone temple under Parantaka I around 940 CE and carries inscriptions of the medieval Cholas, the Pandyas and the Rashtrakutas.

Sthala katha — the legend

Local legend explains the older name Thirumundeeswaram from the gatekeepers Thindi and Mundi who worshipped Shiva here; another account has King Chokkalingam find a lingam beneath a lotus while hunting and raise the temple over it.

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