Ezhutharinathar Temple, Innambur

Ezhutharinathar Temple stands in Innambur, a village about 10 km north-west of Kumbakonam on the road to Thirupurambiyam, and is counted among the temples on the northern bank of the Kaveri. Shiva is worshipped as Ezhutharinathar and Parvati as Nithya Kalyani, and the temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam. The name comes from a legend: when the temple accountant could not produce correct books for the king, Shiva took his form and submitted them. Agastya is believed to have learnt grammar after worshipping here, and an elephant is said to have worshipped here.

Its rectangular plan holds two prakarams over about an acre, entered by a five-tiered rajagopuram facing east. The lingam in the east-facing sanctum is granite and believed to be self-manifested. Granite figures of Nandi, a tall flagstaff and an offering stone line up with the sanctum, and the walls around it carry Dakshinamurthy, Durga and Chandikeswarar. Recalling the elephant legend, the sanctum's roof is built as a Gajaprashta Vimana.