Gajendra Varadha Temple

The Gajendra Varadha Temple is a Hindu shrine in Kabisthalam featuring a five-tier entrance gateway and multiple inner sanctums dedicated to different deities. The main deity appears in a reclining pose alongside the goddess Ramamanivalli, while the entire complex sits between two rivers.

The Chola kings built this shrine in the 9th century as a major religious site in the region. Later rulers from the Vijayanagara empire and Nayak families expanded and reshaped the temple through architectural additions over time.

The temple stands as one of 108 sacred shrines celebrated in classical Tamil devotional texts, drawing pilgrims who regard it as a place of deep spiritual importance. Visitors observe worshippers using the space daily to offer prayers and connect with the divine through established rituals.

The shrine holds six daily prayer ceremonies from morning until evening, with local priests conducting the rituals and decorations. Visitors should wear modest clothing and respect the designated worship times to avoid disrupting the services.

Two sacred water tanks with traditional names occupy the temple grounds and serve pilgrims for ritual bathing before entering inner areas. These water features hold special significance due to their location between two major rivers of the region.