Veerateeswarar Temple, Thiruvirkudi

Veerateeswarar Temple stands in the village of Thiruvirkudi, some 4 km from Moongilkudi along the Mayiladuthurai–Thiruvarur road. Shiva is worshipped here as Veerateswarar, with his consort Elavar Kuzhali. It is one of the eight Ashta Veeratanam shrines, each marking a victory of Shiva over a demon, and recalls his battle with Jalandhara, an asura said to have been born when fire from Shiva's third eye met the ocean. Sambandar's Tevaram hymns praise the deity, making it a Paadal Petra Sthalam. The masonry dates from the Chola period in the 9th century, with later work by the Thanjavur Nayaks.

The east-facing temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram, the Chakra Theertham tank outside the entrance and the Sangu Theertham behind. A lingam occupies the sanctum, and the halls in front keep metal images, among them a six-armed Kamadahanamurthy and a panchaloha Jalandharavathamurthy holding a discus. The goddess's south-facing shrine has the twelve zodiac signs on its hall ceiling, and the outer precinct has a shrine to Vishnu and Tulsi. The Dharmapuram Aadhenam runs it.