Saptasthanam Shiva temples in TamilNadu

According to Sthala puranas, in bygone days, there was a tradition of worshiping a cluster of seven Shiva temples. Together they were considered to be one Shiva temple. They were considered as a one Shiva sthalam having seven Shiva lingas at different places very close to each other. This practice was considered to be the Siddha way of worshiping Lord Shiva. The practice is to worship at six other shiva temples first and finally the seventh one which was considered to be the main temple. It is believed that this practice existed even before the time of Shaiva saint Sambandhar. According to Sthala puranas, he had followed this procedure when he had visited the Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple at Mylapore.

We are giving below a list of ten such clusters of seven temples. For each cluster there is a main temple and six temples around the main temple.

1. Saptasthana temples of Mylapore
   Around Mylapore near Chennai we have seven temples, of which Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple is considered to be the main temple. It is believed that sapta rishis Atri, Bhrugu, Kutsa, Vashishtha, Gautama, Kashyapa, Angirasa worshiped at these seven temples.
2. Saptasthana temples of Thiruvaiyarur. Here Aiyarappar temple at Thiruvaiyaru is considered as the main.
3. Saptasthana shiva temples around Nagapattinam. Here Naganathar temple at Nagora is considered as the main temple.
4. Saptashatna temples around Mayiladuthurai. Here Mayuranathar temple at Mayiladuthurai is considered as the main temple.
5. Saptasthana temples around Kumbhakonam. Here Adikumbheshwarar temple at Kumbhakonam is considered as the main temple.
6. Saptasthanam temples around Kanjanur. Here Agneeswarar temple at Kanjanur (Suryanar Temple Kovil) is considered as main.
7. Saptasthana Shiva temples of Chakrapalli. Here Shri Chakravageeshwarar temple at Chakrapall is main temple.
8. Saptasthanam Shiva temple at Karanthattaangudi in Tanjavur district. Here Shri Vashishteshwarar temple at Karanthattaangudi is the main temple.
9. Saptasthanam temples of Thirunallur (Kumbhakonam to Valangaiman route). Here Shri Panchavarneshwarar temple at Thirunallur is the main temple.
10. Saptasthana Temples around Thirunilakkudi (Kumbhakonam to Kairaikkal main route). The main temple is Shri Neelakantheshwarar at Thiruneelakudi.

In upcoming weeks we will be providing information about each temple in each cluster.

 

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs