lord Shiva

Maada Koilgal

Maada Koilgal are the temples which were built by King Chochengotan Cholan. A Chola king, Kochengat Cholan was a spider in his previous birth, spun webs on the Shivalinga and worshipped Lord Shiva. The spider spun the webs to prevent birds spitting on the Linga and falling of stale leaves in the Lord. Knowing not the Bhakthi of the spider, an elephant, also a Shiva devotee performed abishek to the Lord with water from Cauvery, thus removing the spider web. The spider entered into the ears of the elephant. Unable to bear this torture, the elephant struck the ground strongly with its tusk and died killing the spider too. Both reached the Feet of Lord Shiva simultaneously. These temples were designed in such a way that the elephants cannot enter. The spider begged the Lord to grant him a royal birth and was born as Kochengat Cholan and built temple which elephants could not climb. These temples are called Mada temples. Based on this story and the services of Kochengat Cholan, these events are sculpted in the temple tower in small size. Scientifically too, these Mada Temples are considered a means to protect people of Cauvery delta villages from heavy floods. The temples are

1. Jambukeswarar Temple Thiruvaanaikoil 2. Kalyanasundareswarar Temple Thirunallur 3. Saayavaneeswarar Temple Saayavanam 4. Mahalakshmeeswarar Temple Thirunindriyur 5. Sathyagireeswarar Temple Senganoor 6. Pasupatheeswarar Temple Aavoor 7. Dharmapureeswarar Temple Vadathalli 8. Vaikalnathar Temple Vaikal Maada Koil 9. Sornapureeswarar Temple Sembanar Koil 10. Valampuranathar Temple Mela perumumpallam 11. Sangaaranyeeswarar Temple Thalaichangaadu 12. Thanthondreeswarar Temple Aakkoor 13. Bramhapureeswarar Temple Ambar 14. Nethrapureeswarar Temple Thiruvizhimazhalai 15. Sornapureeswarar Temple Azhagaputhur 16. Madhuvaneeswarar Temple Nannilam 17. Rathnagireeswarar Temple Thirumarugal 18. Navanatheeswarar Temple Sikkal 19. Kediliyappar Temple Keezha Vellur 20. Devapureeswarar Temple Devur 21. Abhimuktheeswarar Temple Makkaal Iyyampettai 22. Koneeswarar Temple Kudavaasal 23. Gyaanaparameswarar Temple Nallur Mayanam 24. Sthiraputhreeswarar Temple Thandalancheri 25. Hrudhayakamalanaadeeswarar Temple Valivalam 26. Kaichineeswarar Temple Kachanam 27. Thiruvaaneeswarar Temple Ranganathapuram, Thirukkaatupalli 28. Thirukkarai Eswarar Temple Peranamullar 29. Pasupatheeswarar Temple Pasupathikoil 30. Kailasanathar Temple Pandaaravadai