“L ord shiva is one of the most revered deities. He is known as the destroyer and the god of transformation. The Saptha Vigraha moorthis, which translates to the seven forms of Lord Shiva, are an integral part of Shiva worship in South India. These seven forms of Lord Shiva are believed to be the manifestation of his divine energy in different forms, each representing a unique aspect of his personality.The Saptha Vigraha moorthis are located at seven cardinal points around the Shiva temple, and each has its own prominent temple where devotees offer prayers and seek blessings. These seven cardinal points correspond to the seven directions in Hindu cosmology - north, south, east, west, northeast, southeast, and northwest.The temple is also referred as Pancha Linga stala due to the presence of five lingams, four of which in the cardinal directions and the fifth one at the centre. The temple of Viswanatha lies in the east street, Rishipuriswara in the west, Atmanatha in South street and Chokkanatha in North street.

Seven divine points of Shiva

Mahalingaswamy Temple The Mahalingaswamy temple is the center of all Shivan temples in the region, and it is the primary location where the Saptha Vigraha moorthis are worshiped. The temple is located in the town of Tiruvidaimarudur, in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the most visited Shiva temples in South India. The temple complex is vast, with multiple shrines dedicated to various deities. The main deity in the temple is Lord Mahalingaswamy, who is a form of Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to have been built during the Chola dynasty and has undergone multiple renovations and restorations over the centuries.

The Saptha Vigraha moorthis

The Saptha Vigraha moorthis represent the seven different forms of Lord Shiva. Each form has a unique personality and is associated with a specific direction and cosmic energy. The seven forms of Lord Shiva are Sri Mahalingaswamy, Sri Vaidyanathar, Sri Pralayakaleshwarar, Sri Natarajar, Sri Kasi Viswanathar, Sri Kailasanathar, and Sri Gnanavalli. Sri Mahalingaswamy

Sri Mahalingaswamy is the primary form of Lord Shiva worshiped in the Mahalingaswamy temple. He is considered to be the presiding deity of the temple and is represented as a lingam, which is a symbol of the divine energy of Lord Shiva. Sri Vaidyanathar Sri Vaidyanathar is the form of Lord Shiva associated with the northeast direction. He is believed to be the god of healing and is worshiped by those seeking good health and well-being. The Vaitheeswaran Kovil temple, located near the town of Sirkazhi in Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Sri Vaidyanathar. Sri Pralayakaleshwarar Sri Pralayakaleshwarar is the form of Lord Shiva associated with the northwest direction.

He is believed to be the god of destruction and is worshiped by those seeking transformation and renewal. The temple dedicated to Sri Pralayakaleshwarar is located in the town of Kalahasti, in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Sri Natarajar Sri Natarajar is the form of Lord Shiva associated with the south direction. He is believed to be the lord of dance and is worshiped by those seeking artistic expression and creativity. The Chidambaram temple, located in the town of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Sri Natarajar. Sri Kasi Viswanathar Sri Kasi Viswanathar is the form of Lord Shiva associated with the west direction. He is believed to be the god of wealth and prosperity and is worshiped by those seeking financial abundance and success.

The Kasi Viswanathar temple, located in the town of Tenkasi in Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to Sri Kasi Viswanathar. Sri Kailasanathar Sri Kailasanathar is the form of Lord Shiva associated with the east direction. He is believed to be the god of enlightenment and is worshiped by those seeking spiritual growth and wisdom. The temple dedicated to Sri Kailasanathar is located in the town of Thingalur, in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Sri Gnanavalli Sri Gnanavalli is the form of Lord Shiva associated with the southeast direction. She is believed to be the goddess of knowledge and is worshiped by those seeking education and learning.

The temple dedicated to Sri Gnanavalli is located in the town of Thiruvanaikaval, in the Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu. The Saptha Vigraha moorthis are an important part of Shiva worship in South India. Each of the seven forms of Lord Shiva is associated with a specific direction and cosmic energy, and worshiping them is believed to bring about specific benefits and blessings. The Mahalingaswamy temple in Tiruvidaimarudur is the center of all Shivan temples in the region, and it is where the Saptha Vigraha moorthis are worshiped.