Sri Chaya Vaneswarar temple (1000-2000 years old)

This is the 9th Shiva temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns. Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy.

The temple of Champagi Amman, the guardian deity of Poompuhar is nearby the temple. The tank is on the south side. In the place of Kodimaram the flag post, Lord Vinayaka is in the place. As this is a Mada type temple, Nandhi is on a higher level. There are shrines of Sun, Indira, Iyarpagai Nayanar with his wife in the outer prakara. There is also a shrine for the three Saivite saints. The devotee, while circumambulating the prakara can also have the darshan of Lords Vinayaka, Muruga and Kala Bhairava on a higher level and Mother Gajalakshmi and Navagrahas. In the end, they reach bats mandap through steps and the Palli Arai and Ambica shrine.

Those afraid of enemies worship Lord Skanda in the temple holding a bow.

Chola King Kotchengannan built many Shiva temples, the majority of them are of Mada style. Mada temples are the ones in which an elephant cannot enter. This is also a Mada temple.

Iyarpagai Nayanar, one among the 63 nayanars was born and attained salvation in this place. His wife was equally a Shiva devotee. To prove the highest standard of his Bhakti, Lord Shiva came to his house as a devotee and demanded his wife to be presented to him. Nayanar had no hesitation and offered her instantaneously. His wife did not object. Nayanar asked the devotee what he should do next. The guest devotee said that Nayanar should accompany him with his wife as an escort as the people of the place and his relatives could attack them. Nayanar agreed and escorted them with a long sword till the border of the place. Nayanar resisted the opposition of the people and took the guest Shiva devotee safely till the border. He was asked to return then. All of a sudden, the devotee disappeared. Lord Shiva with Mother Uma appeared and said that the play was staged to prove Nayanar’s Shiva Bhakti, blessed him with all longevity and promised salvation to him.

Lord Muruga in the temple blesses devotees with a bow in hand promising them all protection. It is said that this Muruga idol was found from the sea. He is wearing an anklet-Veerakandara Mani-as powerful as the Vel gifted by Mother Parvathi. Those facing troubles from enemies worship Skanda in this temple.

Athithi, mother of Indira had a desire to worship Lord Chaya Vaneswarar in this place. She came to earth for the purpose. Missing his mother, Indira found her in this place. To fulfill the wish of his mother, he tried to take the very temple to his place pulled by his elephant Iravadam. While the elephant began to pull the temple, Ambica expressed a sound that was sweeter than a nightingale. She came to be known as Kuyilinum Inia Mozhiyal. Lord appeared before Indira and advised him to drop his idea and be benefitted by his worship in this place itself.