Tantondreeswara Temple, Nedungadu

Tantondreeswara Temple is an ancient Shiva temple in Nedungadu, Karaikal district, in the union territory of Puducherry. Chola rulers built it, and it has been a protected monument since 1971. The place name comes from Nedunthuyar Theertha Nayaki, the consort of the deity, whose name is explained as the one who ended people's long grievances.

The temple is built of red sandstone, with a tall Shivalinga in the sanctum and many inscriptions on the sanctum's outer walls. Excavations in 1948 brought out about 14 bronze sculptures from the 14th century, among them Thirugnanasambandhar, Vinayaga, Manickavasagar, Murugan, Uma and dancing forms of Shiva. Idols of Nataraja, Sivagamasundari and Manikkavacakar were stolen in 1959; the Nataraja was recovered 15 days later and reinstalled, and the India Pride Project has traced the others to museums and institutions in the West.