Sayavanam Chayavaneswarar Temple, temple in India
Sayavanam Chayavaneswarar Temple is a Hindu temple in the town of Sayavanam, Tamil Nadu, featuring traditional Dravidian architecture with a raised main building facing east. The complex includes a temple tank in front of the entrance, a main hall housing the statue of Shiva known as Sri Chaya Vaneswarar, and a shrine for his consort goddess.
The temple was built around 1500 years ago by King Kochengat Chozhan, a ruler who promoted temples and religion. Over centuries, various rulers and devotees maintained and repaired the structure, preserving its role as an important pilgrimage site.
The temple appears in ancient Tamil hymns called Tevaram, where saint poets like Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar praised it as a sacred place. These writings connect devotees today to centuries of faith and local stories about Shiva worship in this region.
The temple is located about 17 kilometers from Sirkazhi and 20 kilometers from Mayiladuthurai, accessible by local bus or rental vehicle. The nearest train station is at Sirkali, and visitors can use the Poompuhar road to reach this quiet rural location surrounded by green fields.
A precious idol of Saint Sambandar was stolen from the temple sometime between 1965 and 1975, only to be discovered later in Australia. Its recovery and return through special investigation efforts illustrates the community's dedication to preserving their religious heritage.
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