Vasishteswarar Temple, Thittai

Vasishteswarar Temple stands in Thittai, also called Thenkudi Thittai, 11 km north of Thanjavur. Built under the Cholas and dated to the 12th century, it faces east with a tank in front and is unusual in being built entirely of stone, from floors and pillars to walls and roofs. The deity is Swayambootheswarar, with the goddess Ulaganayaki; because the sage Vasishta is said to have worshipped here, Shiva is called Vasishteswarar. It is a Paadal Petra Sthalam praised by Sambandar and Appar.

Belief holds that a drop of water falls on the lingam every 24 minutes from a Chandrakanth stone in the roof, which draws moisture from the air, and this draws large crowds. Guru Bhagavan (Brihaspati) has his own sanctum and vimana, and is shown standing with four arms holding weapons and a book. Thittai means mound: legend says it was the only mound to survive the cosmic deluge. Chitra Pournami and Guru Peyarchi are the main festivals.