Bhaktajaneswarar Temple, Thirunavalur

Bhaktajaneswarar Temple, also known as the Thirunavalur temple, is a Shiva temple in the village of Thirunavalur in Viluppuram district. Shiva is worshipped as the lingam Bhaktajaneswarar, and his consort as Manonmani Amman. The village is held to be the birthplace of Sundarar, the 8th-century Saiva saint, who is believed to have attained grace here; the temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam, and his shrine stands in the north-east corner of the precinct, showing him standing between his two consorts.

Inscriptions from the reign of Parantaka I identify the temple as Rajaditta Isvaram, and others record that an earlier brick structure was rebuilt in stone. The Cholas are credited with the original complex, with later additions and a present masonry structure from the 16th century. A flat south-facing entrance tower leads into concentric granite walls covering about two acres. The square sanctum, about 15 ft across, carries yali friezes, mouldings and dancing figures on its outer walls. A Ranganatha shrine and a garden lie in the second precinct.