Kanthaswamy Temple, Cheyyur

Kanthaswamy Temple in Cheyyur is dedicated to Murugan, worshipped as Kanthaswamy with his consorts Valli and Deivasena. Inscriptions suggest the Cholas built it in the 10th century, and later records from the Vijayanagar period show that Muslims serving the kings gave land to the temple. Legend says Murugan worshipped Shiva here as Somanatha to atone for slaying the demon Sooran and his son, and the name Cheyyur is linked to 'Sei', the son of Shiva. The poet-saint Arunagirinathar is believed to have sung Thiruppugazh here.

A flat rajagopuram on the north side breaks the rectangular granite walls. Before the east-facing sanctum stands a granite Vel 5 ft high, and Brahma and Vishnu guard the sanctum, unusual in a Murugan temple. Niches around it hold figures of the 27 Bhutaganas, Shiva's attendants, each about 2 ft tall and linked to the 27 stars; each night Kanthaswamy's worship of Somanatha with them is re-enacted. Roofless pillars in the courtyard hint at larger halls that once stood. Festivals include Vaikasi Visagam, Kanthasasti, Thaipoosam and Panguni Uthiram.