Abodes of Shiva

The temple located 12 kms east of Kumbakonam.

The place, originally known as Devi Tapovanam, later got the name of Rajarajeswaram, as the commander of the Rajaraja Chozha, Krishnan-Raman, who hailed from this place, built the temple and gave it the name of Rajarajeswaram in 944 A.D., according to historians.

When the Devi killed Mahishasura with the Trishul it touched his "Athmalingam" and due to this the Devi was afflicted with the "Sivaparoda Dosha". To get rid of this She came to this place and did penance for 12 years after installing a Siva lingam, known as Kailasanathar, and also Vinayaka to remove any hurdle. The Lord, pleased with Her austerities, appeared before Her and told Her that She is relieved of all "Doshas" and asked Her to stay there and remove the afflictions of all devotees who worshipped Her. Hence the place came to be known as Devi Tapovanam. The Goddess removed the bloodstains on the sword and the Trishul by washing them in the holy water source known as Papavinasa Theertham, situated on the northern side of the temple. Unlike in other Siva and Amman temples, there is no separate shrine for Navagrahas here, as the worship offered to the Devi is believed to please all celestials including the Navagrahas.

The temple attracts many devotees on Tuesdays, an important day for Devi worship, Krishna Paksha Chathurthasi, Sukhla Paksha Ashtami, Amavasya and Pournami days as a dip in the Papavinasa Theertham and worshipping the Amman is believed to relieve one of Rahu and Sukra Doshas and also lung and other ailments.