Atulya Nadheswarar Temple

Atulya Nadheswarar Temple stands on a granite hill at Arakandanallur in Thirukoilur taluk, Viluppuram district. Shiva is worshipped here as Atulya Nadheswarar, in the form of a linga, with Parvati as Azhagiya Ponnazhagi, and the deity is praised in the 7th-century Tevaram. The first complex is believed to be Pallava, enlarged by the Cholas, while the present masonry dates from the Vijayanagara period in the 16th century; three rock-cut caves on the site are of Pallava times. Ninety-six inscriptions record gifts from Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara and Sambuvaraya rulers.

The two-acre complex is entered through a seven-tiered gopuram. Legend says Vishnu worshipped Shiva here to atone for slaying Mahabali in his Vamana form, a story shown in a sculpture, and that the saint Sambandar, bound for Tiruvannamalai, was stopped here, set up a linga of Annamalaiyar and sang in praise of the deity. Marks said to be his footprints are shown, and the Annamalaiyar Temple at Tiruvannamalai can be seen from the spot.