1000 Shiva Linga Temples of Cambodia

Sahasralinga is located 25 kilometres from Angkor watt at Kbal Spean. It has thousands of Shiva linga all across the Slung river. It has also got images of other deities as well. It is believed that the Sahasra Lingas bless the Angkor through the river.These images were carved during the reign of King Suryavarman and King Udayaaditya Varman II in the 11th and 12 centuries.The location is very remote across forests and it is closed by 3 PM.

1000 Shiva Lingas across the river of Cambodia Karnataka

Sirsi is located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka which has this 1000 Shiva lingas called the Sahasralinga across the Shalmala river. These Shiva lingas are scattered all across the river path and many in the middle of the river. It is still not clear who constructed these and when. Huge crowds turn up during Shivaratri, Pradoksha and other special days. This place is not fully developed. So you might not find big hotels or homestays.But this is a must visit place for those seeking mystic travel.

Shiva lingas on rocks in middle of the river of Cambodia and Karnataka

Best time to visit: The shiva lingas get immersed when there is heavy water flow in the river. Best time to visit would be during summer when the water flow is not high.

This temple is located at Papanasam, near Kumbakonam, South India. Papanasam literally means "Destroying of Sins". According to legends, this temple was build by Lord Rama and the 108 Shiva lingas were installed by him. Even though Ravana was a demon, he was a great Shiva Bhakta. By killing him, Lord Rama had got Dosha. To ward of this Dosha, he installed the 108 lingas.

It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva in this temple would remove all sins. There is a seperate huge Linga called Hanumantha Linga which is believed to have been installed by Lord Hanuman.It is a wonderful sight to see all the 108 lingas arranged equally in three rows. This temple is a must see for all those who visit Kumbakonam.

Kanchipuram is holy to both devotees of Lord Shiva and Vishnu. Innumerable temples dot the landscape of this city, but unfortunately most of them are forgotten. This is a small attempt to document them and encourage devotees to the temples. It it said that every bit of land in Kanchi has a Sivalinga beneath it. True to the statement, there is a temple in every street. We have no clue on how many temples have got beneath constructions and roads. How many of them have been encroached and demolished. So let us atleast try to preserve the rest.

A few points:

All these temples are located in a radius of 10 kms from the Kanchipuram city. There are hundreds of other temples outside this perimeter which could take years to identify and document. There are other temples inside Kanchipuram as well. We have tried to maintain the number at 108.

Most of the names are self explanatory. In TamilNadu, Lord Shiva is referred as Eswaran, so the temple names end that way. So, it is very easy to identify who has built/worshipped in that temple.

KAN Rudhrakoteeswarar

KAN Rudhrakoteeswarar

Map of Temples

You can visit these temples in the order they are mentioned. The shortest path factor is considered.

There are several temples with the same name and one temple with several names. The temple itself could be known by a totally different name. So you have to do a bit of research from your side.

Google maps links are provided, if they are available. But no guarantees of accuracy.

List of 108 Shiva Temples

1. Abirameeshwarar : Sangupani Vinayagar Temple Street
2. Amareshwarar : West Raja street
3. Devasenapatheeswarar : Inside Kumara Kottam Temple
4. Siddheeswarar : Kamarajar Street,near K.P.K Thirumana Mantapam
5. Vazhakarutheeswarar,Parasareshwarar :  Gandhi Road - This is a very famous temple visited by people with legal problems.
6. Muktheeswarar,Garudeshwarar Mandir :  Gandhi Road
7. Vanneeswarar : Gandhi Road, Opposite to Theradi
8. Manikandeeswarar,Pana Maneeshwarar :  Chettty Street, Near T K Nambi Road
9. Bramhapureeswarar (Sivastanam) :  Military Road, Tenambakkam
10. Veda Vaneswarar : Sadavaram
11. Punyakodeeswarar  : Punyakodeeswarar temple street
12. Panamaneeswarar : Varadarajapuram Street
13. Satyanadeshwarar : Thirukalimedu - It is more popularly known as Budhan Temple. It is a devara paadal petra stalam
14. Bageeradeeshwarar : PSK Street
15. Mathangeeshwarar : Mathangeeshwarar Koil Street, Hospital Road
16. Dharmeshwarar : Inside Paranjothi Amman Temple ,Near Old railway station
17. Somasundareshwarar : Pavalavannar Street
18. Suryeshwarar : Dhamalvar street
19. Rudra Koteeswarar : Appa Rao Street, Konerikuppam [ There are 2 temples with the same name]. It is a very ancient temple but now in poor state due to lack of maintenance. For more details contact Prasanna 9944205992.  Sri Kanaka Durga temple is nearby. The ambaal here is svayambu and is a very huge. Devotees visit this temple for Ragu-Ketu Dosha nivarthi.
20. Mahalingam : Appa Rao Street
21. Arunachaleshwarar : Appa Rao Street
22. Veerataneshwarar (Sakya Nayanar Temple) : Near Vella Kulam and Apparao Street
23. Panchamukheshwarar :  Kammalar Street
24. Mukteeshwarar, Ethir Veerataneshwarar,Piravathaneshwarar, Iravathaneshwarar : Kammalar Street
25. Katakeshwarar : Chinna Kammalar Street
26. Kankaneshwarar(Bathaleeswarar) : Kullappan Street (Near Kammalar Street)
27. Madaleeshwarar : Theradi street
28. Mangaleshwarar : vaidya Gurukkal Street
29. Anantha Padmanabheshwarar : Lingappan street
30. Oneshwarar, Gandeshwarar, Jalandeshwarar : One temple with all the 3 Lingams. Near to the sub-station of the Electricity Board, Military Road. Paadal petra Stalam
31. Sevvandeeswarar : Inside Panjupettai (Big Street) Government Seed Farm 
32. Parutheeshwarar : Paruthi kulam (Also known as Suryan Temple)
33. Sukleshwarar : in the campus of the Krishna Rice Mill, Near Railway crossing
34. Kameshwarar :  Near Sarva Teertham Tank
35. Kasi Viswanadeshwarar : Mukti Mandapam,Near Sarva Teertham Tank
36. Hiranyeshwarar : Near Sarva Teertham Tank
37. Teertheswarar : Near Sarva teertham Tank
38. Gangavareshwarar :Near Sarva teertham Tank
39. Yogalingeshwarar : Near Sarva teertham Tank
40. Hanumanteeshwarar : Near Sarva teertham Tank
41. Thavalagirishwarar :Near Sarva teertham Tank
42. Chandreswarar : Vellai Kulam Tank
43. Kailasanathar Temple : See Article
44. Anekathangavatheswarar : Near SSKV school, Near Kailasanathar temple. It is a devara Paadal Petra Stalam
45. Agasteeshwarar, Hayagriveshwarar : Inside Upanishad Brahman Mutt (See Article)
46. Karkeeshwarar,Laksmeeshwarar : Krishnan Street, Pillayarpalayam
47. Maha Rudreshwarar : Maadhanampalayam Street,Pillaiyar palayam
48. Mukteeshwarar : Pillayarpalayam
49. Vaneeshwarar(Vanmeeganathar) :  SalaiBogham Street, Pillayar Palayam
50. Maha Anantha Rudreshwarar : Swaminathan Street,Pillayar Palayam
51. Soleeshwarar  : Soleeshwarar temple Street (Ashta Bhairava Temple),Pillayar Palayam
52. Takkeshwarar  :Kachiappa Street of Pillayar Palayam
53. Anantha Rudreshwarar : CSM Street, Pillayar Palayam
54. Tirumetreshwarar(Thirumetralinathar) - Thirumetrali Street at PillaiyarPalayam
55. Oda urugeeshwarar - Tirumetrali street
56. Balabadreshwarar - Tirumetrali street
57. Uttru ketta Mukteesar -  Thirumetrali Street at PillaiyarPalayam, It is a paadal Petra Stalam
58. Vilvanadeshwarar - Thirumetrali Street, Pillaiyarpalayam
59. Kalahasteeshwarar(Kaalaththeeswarar) - Very close to  Uttru ketta Mukteesar temple
60. Chidambareshwarar,Pillaiyar palayam
61. Rudrakoteeshwarar - Thayar Kulam
62. Kaayaarohaneswarar (Popularly Known as Guru Koil) - Guru Parihara Stalam
63. Dharmalingeshwarar - Thayar Kulam
64. Yamadharmeshlingeshwarar - West bank of the Thayar kulam Tank
65. Kanikanteeswarar,Karukinil Amarnthaval Temple Street
66. Vedapureshwarar - Karukinil Amarnthaval Temple Street
67. Tirulokanathar - Karukinil Amarnthaval Temple Street
68. Virubaksheeshwarar - Valatheeswarar Temple Street(Adjoining the Keerai Mandabam)
69. Aram Valartheshwarar - Vallatheeswarar Temple Street (adjoining the Keerai mantapam)
70. Dakshinayana Kailasanathar - Near Sevilimedu Narasimha Temple
71. Kailasanathar - Near Sevilimedu Narasimha Temple
72. Uttarayana kailasanathar - Near Sevilimedu Narasimha Temple
73. East Kailasanathar - Near Sevilimedu Narasimha Temple
74. Gautameshwarar - Keerai mandabam, Uttiramerur road  ( Sapta Stanam, Sapta Rishi Temple)
75. Brammaneshwarar - AKT Nagar
76. Bhargaveshwarar - Naagal uttu street  (Sapta Stanam, Sapta Rishi Temple)
77. Santhaleeshwarar ( Near Pachaiappa's Women's College)
78. Angireeswarar  ( Sapta Stanam, Sapta Rishi Temple) -  Near Pachaiappa's Women's College
79. Vashisteshwarar  ( Sapta Stanam, Sapta Rishi Temple) Santhaleeshwarar Koil street, Near Pachaiappa's Women's College
80. Athreeshwarar (Sapta Stanam, Sapta Rishi Temple) - Near Pachaiappa's Women's College
81. Kucheshwarar - Near Pachaiappa's Women's College
82. kashyabeshwarar - (Sapta Stanam, Sapta Rishi Temple) - Near Pachaiappa's Women's College
83. Ramesham - Near Sarva Teertham Tank
84. Lakshmanesham -  Near Sarva Teertham Tank
85. Pana Mudeeshwarar - Vallal Pachaiappan Street
86. Adhipadeeswarar - Aladi Pillayar Koil street
87. Nagareeshwarar - East Raja Street, Near Bus stand
88. Macheshwarar - Near Nagareeshwarar
89. Trikala gyaneshwarar - Nellukara Street (Inside Bus Stand)
90. Mukteeshwarar -East Raja Street opposite to the Machchesar Temple
91. Bhootanadeshwarar - Sengalaneer Odai Street (North Raja Street)
92. Kanneshwarar -   Sengalaneer Odai Street (North Raja Street)
93. Makaleshwarar (Magaaleshwarar) - Also known as Rahu & Ketu Temple, Behind Kamakshi temple
94. >Shakti Lingam : Inside Kalikambal(Adi Kamakshi) Temple, Behind Kamakshi temple
95. Hari Shapa Bayam teertha Eshwarar (Arisaabhabayantheertha Yeeswarar)- Nellukara street, Near Rama's hotel
96. Iravadeswarar - Kamalavar Street,Opp to Kanchabeshwarar Temple
97. Kachabeshwarar Temple - Nellukara Street. This is a very popular temple.
98. Mei kandeeshwarar - Thondai Mandala Aatheena Mutt,Nimanthakkara Street,Near
99. Mandaleshwarar - Mandu Kaneeswara Koil Street,Pandavar perumal Koil Street
100. Kavusikeswarar or Sokkeeswarar - Outside Kamakshi Amman temple, Near Marriage Hall
101. Mandukanneshwarar - Mandu Kaneeswara Koil Street, Pandavar perumal Koil Street
102. Vanneshwarar - Near Palla Street there is a tank. Nearby there is a
     Kanni Amman Temple. This Shivalinga in inside that temple.
103. Sounageshwarar - Dhanappan Street, Near SVN Pillai Street
104. Arambayesam - Near Ekambaranathar temple
105. Thantondreeshwarar(Ubamanneeswarar) - Near Ekambaranathar temple
106. Suragareshwarar (Jwara hareshwarar) - Near Ekambaranathar temple. Frequently visited by people with physical ailments.
107. Ramanateshwarar- Salai Street, Near Ekambaranathar temple
108. Ekambareshwarar - Ekambaranathar temple - Well Known

Thiruvottiyur near Chennai is one of the earliest settlements in this area which pre-dates the chennai city itself. This place was called Adipuri, meaning the "ancient town".The legend says that there was a huge flood and devotees prayed to Lord Shiva. He commanded the flood to “Othri Po” (give way) . Thus this place got the name “Tiruvottriyur”. (Thiru + Ottri + Yur).

Any ancient place,will have a Shiva and Vishnu temple in TamilNadu. In the same vein, Shiva here is called Adipureeswarar or Thyaga Raja Swamy”. The Goddess is called Vadivudai Nayaki.

In the shrine of the divine mother, there is a holy rock which is said to have been sanctified by many saints. Huge number of devotees visit this temple on full moon. It is a part of the three temple circuit , popularly known as vadivudai (this temple), kodiyidai (Near Minjur suburb of Chennai), thiruvudai (Thiruvanmiyur Maruntheeswarar temple). Great carnatic musicians like Thyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshitar had visited this temple in the 18th century and sang songs on the deities here.

Another great Saint Ramalinga Swamigal also called “Vallalaar” had been visiting this temple daily as a practice. One day, as usual,Vallalaar returned home late at night after completing his darshan of these deities.He returned home late only to find the doors were locked. Though he was very hungry, he had no option but to sleep in the places nearby his house. Vadivudai Amman Herself came fed Vallalaar. This piece of information is briefly described in the life history of Arul Thiru Vallalaar.

Marai Malai Adigal once had a terrible stomach ache which could not be cured by much of the medicines available in those times, came to this Murugan to write “Thiruvottriyur Murugan Mummani Kovai” . After completing the recital of this poem, his stomach ache vanished completely.Arunagirinathar has song on the Lord Murugan here in his Thirupugal.

Another unique feature of this temple is that all 27 stars has a Shiva lingam installed in their names and worshipped. This is the only other temple in the world apart from Thiruvidaimaruthur in Kumbakonam to have this shrine. So people of all Rashis come here and offer their prayers.

This temple also is a treasury of all ancient idols from the nearby temples maintained by the Government. This temple is itself an example of the ancient Pallava Architecture.

Nearby Places:

The town is also known for the Samadhi of Saint Pattinathar, one of the greatest mystics of TamilNadu. His main disciple was Bhadragiri ( Some say Raja Bhatruhari of Ujjain is the same person).

There is also a Samadhi temple of one the Kanchi Shankaracharya of the 17th century here (61st pontiff of – Sri Maha Devendra Swamigal)

Acharapakkam is small village near Madurantakam,Chennai. The name of the village is derived from Achu-aru-pakkam meaning the place where the wheel got broke. The story behind the temple and the village is based on the destruction of the demon tripuranthaka by Lord Shiva. Before starting for the war, Lord Shiva forgot to worship lord Ganesh. So the wheels of his chariot got broken.He prayed to Lord Ganesh and then won the war. The symbolic meaning of this story is that however high a person might be, he must follow the rules of devotion.

Acharapakkam Shivan Temple Chennai

In Tamil, Aatchi means power. Aatcheeswarar means the Lord who rules everything or the Lord who is all powerful. Prayers offered at this temple is said to offer victory and success in politics for those who are genuinely concerned with the well being of people.

There are two main shrines for Lord Shiva here which is very rarely seen in any Shiva temple. Also, behind the Shiva Linga we can also see the image of Lord Shiva.