Sivayoginathar Temple, Thiruvisanallur

Sivayoginathar Temple, also called Yoganandeswarar Temple, is a Shiva temple at Thiruvisanallur in Thanjavur district, on the northern bank of the Kaveri. It is believed to stand where eight Shiva yogis attained salvation and merged into the lingam, and it is a Paadal Petra Sthalam of the Tevaram. Legends of a Kerala king freed of a curse here, and of Nandi turning Yama away from a devotee, underlie the belief that a visit eases curses and the fear of death.

The temple was put up in the reign of Parantaka I (907–955), and 97 inscriptions from the Medieval Cholas survive, with later contributions from Pandyas, Thanjavur Nayaks and Marathas. The shrine itself is modest: a square sanctum of 3.7 m with a four-pillared mandapam, together about 15.3 m long, with Chola-style pillars and carved toranas over the niches on the south and west, the western one noted for its workmanship. A five-tiered rajagopuram fronts a larger complex, which belongs to the Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam.