Devanathaswamy Temple, Thiruvanthipuram

The Devanathaswamy Temple at Thiruvanthipuram, on the outskirts of Cuddalore, is one of the 108 Divya Desams, with Vishnu worshipped as Devanatha and Lakshmi as Hemabhujavalli. It is best known, though, for Hayagriva, the horse-headed form of Vishnu linked with knowledge, whose shrine sits on Outshadagiri, the small hill at whose foot the main temple stands. The Kedilam river flows past on the other side. More than 50 inscriptions record grants from Chola, Pandya and Vijayanagara rulers, and the present temple is believed to date from the Medieval Cholas.

The image of Devanatha carries a lotus, the emblem of Brahma, and a Shiva-like third eye, recalling a legend of the oneness of the gods. Another story says the serpent Adishesha struck the ground with his tail to make a well; its water is still used for the temple offerings, and people with skin ailments add salt, pepper and jaggery to it. A five-tiered gopuram about 60 feet high leads in, and the Chittirai chariot festival is the main event.