Prananadeswarar Temple

Lord Shiva graces here as Swayambu Murthy. Generally, in Shivalingams in temples, the panam is slightly lower than the audaiyar. But in this temple Panam is superior to Audaiyar. The Nataraja shrine has an emerald lingam. The idol named Purushamirugam in this temple has three faces namely man, animal and bird.

In the eleventh century, during the reign of the first Kulottunga Chola, an astrologer named Alavandar, who served as the royal astrologer, constructed this temple without seeking permission from the king. When the king learned of this, he expressed his anger and ordered the astrologer to be beheaded. As the astrologer had earlier mentioned that his body would naturally return to Thirumangalakudi to perform a ritual, his body was indeed found there." +"When the boundaries of the town were reached, the astrologer's wife, Mangalambika, went to the temple of Mangalambigai and prayed for her husband's life to be restored. Her prayer was heard, and the astrologer returned to life. Joyfully, they went to the temple and installed Lord Prananatheswarar, worshipping him as the giver of life. From that day on, the temple came to be known as Prananatheswarar Temple (the Lord who gives life), and the astrologer's wife was called Ambal Mangalambika." +"It is said in history that women who come here seeking guidance are blessed with auspiciousness by the astrologer and his wife. The astrologer and his wife also encourage people to seek the blessings of the Lord and the Goddess for their well-being.