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Padavedu Renukambal Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Padavedu Renukambal Temple lies in the Padavedu town and is at a distance of 7 km from Thiruvannamalai. The temple has religious significance for the Hindus because it is one of the sights for Shakti Sthals. There is also a lingam adorning the temple that is called the Somanathalingam.

Legend has it that Lord Parasurama (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) committed matricide on the insistence of his father Rishi Jamadagni. While cutting off the head of his mother Renuka Devi, Parasurama is believed to have cut off the head of a washerwoman as well. On being granted a boon by Rishi Jamadagni, Parasurama asked for bringing His mother back to life.

The Rishi granted Him the boon and asked Him to attach the body of his mother with her severed head. However, the Lord ended up joining His mother’s torso to the washerwoman’s head and vice versa. It is the head of Renuka Devi joined to the body of the washerwoman that is worshipped in the Padavedu temple as Renukambal.

Padavedu Renukambal Temple Photos