The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.
Vazhuvur, Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu · 11.0450°, 79.6378°
One of the eight Atta-veerattanam shrines of Shiva, built in the 9th century under the Cholas and enlarged by the Thanjavur Nayaks; it holds an 11th-century bronze of Shiva as slayer of the elephant demon.
What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.
Challenged by sages who doubted his power, Shiva is said to have taken the Gajasamhara form here, killing the elephant demon and wearing its hide as a garment.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Chola
Answers only from cited records
Opening the line…