Arulmigu Mahalingeswarar Temple
அருள்மிகு மகாலிங்கேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில்
Lord Shiva · Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Ancient★ 4.85,200 reviews
About the temple
One of the most sacred Shiva temples in South India Removal of Brahmahatti Dosha and immense spiritual liberation
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 21:00
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Lord Shiva · ଶିବ (Shiva)Lord GaneshaLord Murugan
- Deity form
- Shiva Lingam (Swayambhu)
- Religious tradition
- Tamil Shaiva Agama
- Sanskrit name
- महालिङ्गेश्वर मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Madhyarjuna Temple
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00-12:30, 16:00-21:00
- Break timings
- 12:30PM -04:00PM
- Special days
- Extended during festivities
- Festival timings
- Open for extended night durations without mid-day closure intervals during major transits
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 08:30 AM
- Midday aarti
- 12:00 PM
- Evening aarti
- 07:30 PM
- Night aarti
- 08:30 PM
- Special aarti days
- Pradosham, Pournami, Mondays
- Ritual schedule
- 6-time Pooja
- Pooja timings
- Available at counter
- Abhishek timings
- Morning
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- Via portal
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Medieval
- Built by
- Chola Dynasty
- Architect / builder
- Traditional Sthapathis
- Construction materials
- Granite
- Historical events
- Patronized by numerous Chola kings
- Renovations
- Extensive heritage preservation
- Archaeological importance
- State heritage site
- Legends
- King Varaguna Pandyan's Brahmahatti Dosha removal
- Inscriptions
- Numerous inscriptions on temple walls
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Medieval
- Structure
- Complex
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Towering entrance gopuram
- Mandapa
- Multiple mandapams (including Nandi Mandapam)
- Sculptural features
- Diverse iconographic sculptures
- Artistic elements
- Masterpiece stucco and stone work
- Construction technique
- Traditional stone masonry
- Unique features
- Centre of the "Pancharjuna" sthalas
Festivals & events
- Festival calendar
- Pradosham
- Special celebration days
- Devotional music/classical dance
- Cultural events
- Brahmotsavam (Thai month), Maha Shivaratri, Arudra Darshan.
- Annual events
- During Brahmotsavam and Pradosham days.
- Peak crowd season
- Temple remains open for extended hours during major festivals.
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 20-30 vehicles
- Parking fees
- approx. 20 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Bank Transfer
- Prasadam
- Vibhuti/Kumkum.