Temples of Sivagangai District and Ramanadhapuram District

1. Manamadurai: Siva Temple.
   
   
   The temple is 18 kms from Sivagangai.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu lingam known as Arulmigu Somanadhar, and his consort known as Ananda valli Amman in different sanctum. Teertham of the temple is Vaigai, and sthala vruksham is Vilvam.
   
   
   The monkeys were hungry and without their knowledge they were dropping vilvam on Sivalingam, the lord was happy with their act and he blessed them hence the place was known as Vanara Madurai and changed into Manamadurai over a period
   
   
   Purana says Lord Chandra worshipped Siva of his place, to get rid of his curse and he felt happy, so the place is known as Chandra pattinam, and Goddess as Ananda valli.
   
   
   
   Mannikavachakar worshiped Lord Siva of this place and sang hymns on him.
   Other deities seen in the temple are, Vinayakar, Subramanayar, Natarajar, Mahalakshmi, Navagraham and Bairavar.
   
   
   
   
2. Illayankudi: Siva sthalam,
   
   
   The place is 11 kms from Paramakudi of Sivagangai district.
   
   
   Main Deity is Siva Lingam known as Rajendra Choleeswarar and his consort known as Goddess Gyanambikai.
   
   
   Importance: This is birth place of Maranayanar, who is one of 63 Nayanmars. Lord Siva wanted to reveal the greatness of Maranayanar’s service towards the followers of Saivam.
   
   
   One day it was raining heavily, Lord Siva, as a sadhu tapped the door of Maranayanar’s house in the night and asked for biksha to spare him. Maranayar was liberal in spending his wealth, which he had, towards his service to followers of Saivam.
   
   
   They had nothing to spare, for sadhu at that hour. Maranayanars wife asked her husband to get the paddy, which they have sowed in the field on that day. Maranayanar was happy to hear this and he asked sadhu to sit and relax a while.
   
   
   He went to get the paddy from the field. Nayanar’s wife cooked he paddy he brought, and served it to sadhu. Siva was happy with their act and he reveled his original form as Lord Siva with Uma devi on Rishba vahana and blessed them.
   
   
   
3. Amaneeswaram:
   
   
   This Siva sthalam is 9 kms from Ilayankudi.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Main Deity : Swayambu Linga known as Yamaneeswarar.
   Yamadharma raja worshipped Lord Siva of this place hence the Lord is known as yamaneeswarar.