Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Thukkachi

The Abathsahayeswarar Temple, also known as the Sowndaranayaki Ambal temple, stands in Thukkachi village on the Arasalar river, 16 km east of Kumbakonam. Rajendra Chola I built the first temple. Legend says Vikrama Chola, suffering from vitiligo, was told by Shiva in a dream to worship here for 48 days; he was cured and had the temple enlarged. The village name is said to come from Durga Achi, after the goddess Durga in the temple. It is also called Southern Kalahasti.

Shiva faces east and his consort, Sowndaranayaki, faces south from her own niche, unlike the usual north. The temple once had seven prakaras and now has three, and its vimana resembles the one at the Airavatesvara temple in Darasuram. Its Sarabeshwarar shrine is considered the first of three in the Kumbakonam area. Restoration began in 2015, the consecration was held in September 2023, and the work earned a UNESCO award.