Pandi Muneeswarar Temple (Pandi Kovil), Madurai

Sri Pandi Muneeswarar Temple, usually called Pandi Kovil, is in the Melamadai area of Madurai, near Mattuthavani. Its deity, Pandi Muneeswarar, is believed to be the Pandya king Nedunchezhiyan, the ruler remembered for the injustice done to Kovalan, husband of Kannagi.

The temple's story goes back about two centuries. A couple, Valliammal and Periyasamy, on a journey from Karur to Madurai, stopped for the night at Melamadai. In a dream a long-bearded sage told Valliammal that he was Nedunchezhiyan, reborn and doing penance eight feet underground for the injustice to Kovalan, and promised to protect their family if they worshipped him. They dug at the spot and found an idol at that depth. A temple was built over it, and Valliammal's community still worships at and looks after the shrine.