01Lakshmi’s mother’s house
The temple’s katha says the sage Medhavi did tapas here asking that Lakshmi be born as his daughter; she appeared on a lotus in the tank, grew up in his care, and Shiva and Parvati themselves gave her in marriage to Vishnu, who is worshipped a kilometre away at the Divya Desam of Nachiyar Koil. So this temple is Lakshmi’s mother’s house: at Pongal and Deepavali the gifts a family sends a married daughter go from here to Nachiyar Koil, and on the day after Vaikunta Ekadasi Shiva and Parvati visit there. Korakka Siddhar was cured of a skin disease here, which gave the names Siddhanatheswarar and Siddheecharam. Three Chandikeswarars share one shrine in the prakaram.
About 10 km from Kumbakonam near the Tirunaraiyur bus stop, 1 km from Nachiyar Koil. For three days each in Masi and Avani the sun’s rays fall on the linga.
