Adi Chokkanathar Temple - Madurai
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