Indian Columbus

We know about the famous Meenakshi and Chokkanathar (also called Sundaresa) Temple in Madurai. However, only a few of us might know that there is one more temple for Meenakshi and Chokkanathar in the same city. This article is about the lesser-known site called Adi Chokkanathar temple. This temple is located at a distance of around 1 km from the main Chokkanathar temple in the Simmakal locality. It is a tiny temple but is supposed to be very old. The legend says that the presiding deity, Shiv Linga, was installed by Kubera. It is believed that Budha (one of the Navagrahas who represents Jupiter) worshiped this temple. Per another legend, Idaikadar, a Siddha, was humiliated by a Pandya (the ruler of Madurai). Lord Shiva from the main temple moved out and traveled to this site to pacify this great devotee. On the following day morning, the priests of the temple reported to the King that they could not find the icon in the temple. The King ultimately found the icon on this site and...

Madurai, the temple city of Tamil Nadu, has always been a synonym for the Goddess Meenakshi. The outsiders get satisfied with their visit to the gigantic temple of Meenakshi. However, beyond this famous temple, there are so many temples and other attractions in the city which are less popular but equally enjoyable. This article is about one such temple in Madurai, Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple. Can I call it one of the best-kept secrets of Madurai? Want to know why? Go ahead and read further. Temple's Location First things first! Where is this temple located? Koodal Azhagar Temple is an important Vishnu temple in Madurai. At about 450 meters, from that temple, on a narrow street named South Krishnan Koil Street, the temple of Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal is located. This temple is administered by  Madurai Saurashtra Sabha . Do you wonder who Saurashtrians are and what they do in Madurai? Read on... Saurashtrians Saurashtra is the region in the southern part of Gujarat...