Thamaraipakkam
The sixth Dakshina Kailasa Keshetram among seven is the one in Thamaraipakkam, where the presiding deities are Agniswarar and Tirupurasundari . The Lord who is in the form of fire in this temple is continuously cooled by a Dhara (stream) of water dripping over the idol from a Panchaloha container; for all devotees this is a treat to watch. Sri Mahavishnu and Sri Lakshmi are supposed to have worshipped Shiva here; in recognition of which there is a shrine for them opposite the one for Shiva and Ambal.
Brahma and Mahavishnu once went in search of the head and food of Lord Shiva. At that time Shiva, as a ball of fire, had set one foot in Parvatha Malai and the other in Tiruvannamalai. After a lot of effort, Vishnu found the former and offered Puja there at the foot of the hills at this place; hence it got the name of Thamaraipakkam, in recognition of His lotus feet. Further Lord Murugan created the river Cheyyar which flooded the area; at this time a lotus flower from the Kalasam which Mahavishnu offered in prayer got separated and drifted to banks of the river at this place. Legend has it that this is one more reason why the place acquired its name.
There are inscriptions in this temple which said that the temple was built and maintained by Kulotthunga Chola in the tenth millenium The temple has a beautiful sculpture which shows Brahma as a Swan and Vishnu in Varaha avatar offering prayers to Lord Shiva. Since it is blessed by both Mahavishnu and Lord Shiva, the shrine is believed to offer solace to all those who offer their prayers here and redress their grievances.
