Adhimooleswarar Temple, Tiruppaatrurai

Tiruppaatrurai Adhimooleswarar Temple stands at Tirupattrurai, historically Tirupalathurai, in Trichy district, and is dedicated to Shiva as Adhimooleswarar. It is a Paadal Petra Sthalam praised by Tirugnanasambandar and carries several Chola-period inscriptions. Legend says a Chola king hunting a bird shot an arrow into a bush and found an anthill oozing milk; that night Shiva told him in a dream that he dwelt there, and the king built the temple on the spot.

The complex has two prakarams and a small five-tier rajagopuram. The east-facing sanctum holds a granite lingam, and the hall before it houses granite images of Ganesha, Murugan, Nandi and the Navagrahas, along with the south-facing shrine of the goddess Nithyakalyani. Around the sanctum are Dakshinamurthy, Durga and Chandikeswarar, plus Bhikshatana, a Dakshinamurthy with veena and Vishnu. Six rituals are held daily, and the annual Brahmotsavam draws many pilgrims.