Ashta Veeratta Stalam (also called Ashtaveertanam or Atta Veeratanam) are the eight temples of Hindu god Shiva, that commemorate his eight acts of valour and fury where he became victorious over demons or divinities. Seven out of these temples are also classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam, the temples of Shiva that are revered in Tevaram (7th century canonical work by the Shaiva Nayanar saints). The presiding deity in all the temples is called Veerateeswarar.
List of temples
S.No. Name of the temple Location Photo Presiding deity and goddess Commemorates1 Veerateeswarar temple, Thirukovilur Thirukovilur, Kallakurichi districtTamil Nadu Veerateeswarar and PeriyanayagiShiva's slaying of the demon Andhakasura in the form of Andakasuramurthy.2 Veerateeswarar temple, Thiruvathigai Thiruvathigai, CuddaloreTamil Nadu Veerateeswarar and MookambigaiShiva's victory as Tripurantaka, destroyer of the three cities of the demon kingTripurasura or three demon brothers - collectively called as Tripurasura.Madhavan 2014, p. 933 Veerateeswarar temple, Korukkai Korukkai, Mayiladuthurai districtTamil Nadu Veerateeswarar and GnanambigaiShiva's victory over the love god Kamadeva. Kamadeva tries to break Shiva's penance so that he can wake up and marry the goddess Parvati. The son of Shiva and Parvati is prophesied to slay the demon Tarakasura. Shiva awakens but in fury, burns Kamadeva by his third eye.Klaus Klostermaier, (2000) Hinduism: A Short History. Oxford: One World Publications.Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty, (1975) Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook Translated from the Sanskrit. London: Penguin Books, p.157-159 R. 2019, p. 129-334 Kandeeswarar Temple, Kandiyur Thirukandiyur, Thanjavur districtTamil Nadu Kandeeswarar and MangalanayagiShiva's form of Bhairava, who cut the fifth head of the god Brahma5 Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple, Thirukkadaiyur Thirukkadaiyur, Mayiladuthurai districtTamil Nadu Amritaghateswarar AbiramiShiva's victory as Kalantaka (Conqueror over Time and Death) over the god of death Yama, to proper his devotee Markendeya from death.6 Veerateeswarar temple, Thirupariyalur Thirupariyalur, Mayiladuthurai districtTamil Nadu Veerateeswarar and Ilam KobanayalShiva's victory in the form of Virabhadra over the god Daksha and Destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice (Daksha yajna).R. 2019, p. 115-97 Veerateeswarar temple, Vazhuvur Vazhuvur, Mayiladuthurai districtTamil Nadu Veerateeswarar and Bala GujambigaiShiva's victory as Gajasamharamurti or "slayer of the elephant", where he killed the elephant demon. 8 Veerateeswarar temple, Thiruvirkudi Tiruvirkudi, Mayiladuthurai districtTamil Nadu Veerateeswarar and Elavar KuzhaliShiva's victory over the demon Jalandhara.R. 2019, p. 120-5
Notes
References
External links