Stories
Swayambhu Shivalingams: Discover the Unique Wonders of 7 Tamil Nadu Temples!
- •Tamil Nadu is home to ancient temples featuring Swayambhu Shivalingams, each with unique spiritual significance and natural formations.
- •The Sathuragiri Sundara Mahalingam Temple in Virudhunagar, at 4,500 feet, features a slightly tilted Swayambhu Murthy, revered by 18 Siddhars.
- •Coimbatore's Velliangiri Andavar Temple, a cave temple at 6,000 feet, is considered Thenkailayam, representing the body's seven energy chakras.
- •The Swayambulinga Swamy Temple in Uvari, Tirunelveli, is unique for its connection to the sea, with potable freshwater springs found near the temple.
- •In Thiruverumbur, Tiruchirappalli, the Sri Erumbeeswarar Temple's Moolavar is an anthill-shaped Swayambhu Lingam, bearing marks from ants.
- •The Thenupureeswarar Temple in Madambakkam, Chennai, features a Swayambhu Lingam with Kamadhenu's hoof mark and a stone hit depression.
- •Tiruvannamalai's Arunachaleswarar Temple is an Agni Sthalam, where the Arunachala hill is revered as a colossal Swayambhu Lingam of Lord Shiva.
Key Questions Answered
The Velliangiri Andavar Temple in Coimbatore district is a cave temple located on the seventh hill at an altitude of about 6,000 feet. Devotees believe that Velliangiri Andavar, as a Swayambhu Lingam, blesses them from the seventh hill, which represents one of the seven energy chakras in the human body, leading to the temple being revered as Thenkailayam.
The Swayambulinga Swamy Temple in Uvari, Tirunelveli district, has the unique feature of being connected to the sea where freshwater springs are found inside the sea near the temple. Despite being close to seawater, this spring water remains tasty and potable.
At the Sri Erumbeeswarar Temple in Thiruverumbur, Tiruchirappalli district, the Moolavar appears in the form of an anthill. Temple history notes that Devas turned into ants to worship Shiva, leaving the Swayambhu Lingam slightly tilted with marks believed to be from ants climbing on it.
