Description

Shiva temples are not only abundant in India but are also scattered across the globe. Those revered in Tamil Tevaram hymns are known as Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal.

Origin: These Shiva Temples boast a history spanning more than 1000-2000 years, evidenced by their mention in the Tevaram Hymns. The Tevaram comprises verses sung in praise of the primary god in the Shivite sect, Lord Shiva. Three Tamil poets, collectively known as Saiva Kuruvars, namely Thirugnana Sambanthar (Sambanthar), Tirunavukkarasar (Appar), and Sundaramoorthy Nayanar (Sundarar), composed these verses. The first two poets lived in the 7th century AD, while the latter lived around the 8th century AD. Each set of 10 songs in Thevaram is referred to as a “pathikam” in Tamil.

There are a total of 274 Shiva temples, with 264 situated in Tamil Nadu. These shrines, honored with at least one Pathigam composed in their praise, are commonly known as Paadal Petra Stalangal or, more broadly, Shivastalams.

Statistics: Thirunavukarasar:

• Pathigams composed after visiting the sivasthalam and temple personally: 125
• Pathigams composed but did not visit the sivasthalam or the temple: 98
• Pathigams not composed by Thirunavukarasar: 51

Sambandar:

• Pathigams composed after visiting the sivasthalam and temple personally: 219
• Pathigams composed but did not visit the sivasthalam or the temple: 12
• Pathigams not composed by Sambandar: 43

Sundarar:

• Pathigams composed after visiting the sivasthalam and temple personally: 84
• Pathigams composed but did not visit the sivasthalam or the temple: 54
• Pathigams not composed by Sundarar: 136

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