Veerateeswarar Temple, Thiruvathigai

The Veerateeswarar Temple at Thiruvathigai, about 2 kilometres east of Panruti, is dedicated to Shiva as Veerattaaneswarar, with Parvati as Thiripurasundari, and is praised in the 7th-century Tevaram. It is held to be where the saint poet Appar returned to Shaivism and later attained salvation, and the Pallava king Mahendravarman I is said to have turned from Jainism to Shaivism under Appar's influence. Legend places here, on the banks of the Kedilam, Shiva's destruction of the three demon cities of Tripura, and the old name Tripura Dahanam is said to have become Thiruvathigai.

Described as one of the largest temple complexes in the state, it has two gopurams, many halls and three precincts, and the shrines of Veerateeswarar and Mookambigai are the most important. Six daily rituals are held between 5.30 am and 10 pm, and twelve festivals fall through the year. The temple is run by the Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam, a South Indian monastic institution.