Varichiyur Shiva Temple, Madurai

Address

Varichiyur Shiva Temple, Varichiyur, Gunnathur, Madurai District – 625020

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

It is 444 km from Chennai and 12 km from Madurai. Going from the cave to the top of the cliff through a slightly sloping cliff, the temple is in a state of disrepair. The perimeter walls of the temple were in a state of disrepair and only a few bricks were found in the temple surrounding. Each of the bricks was found to be slightly longer and wider than the shape of the current bricks, the temple must be very ancient. There is no notice board of the Archaeological Department here. It is not known whether the temple was discovered by archaeologists.

Puranic Significance

The foundation of the temple is intact. There must have been a Shiva temple here too. This is because the idol of Nandi is worshiped directly opposite the place where the sanctum sanctorum is located and there is a water outlet at the back of the temple. There is a stone lamppost just behind the Nandi statue. The pillars of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, some of the pillars of the gate were found broken and one of the stones was found broken. Considering the image found on the statue and the name of the hill “Subramaniyar Hill”, this statue must have been the statue of Lord Murugan. The temple was located towards the east.