What to expect
Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan
A Shiva temple at Sripurandan dated by inscriptions to the period of Kulottunga III (1178-1218 CE). It drew international attention when its roughly 900-year-old bronze Nataraja idol, stolen and smuggled abroad, was purchased by the National Gallery of Australia before the theft was exposed, leading to the idol's repatriation to India in 2014. The recovered bronze is now held at the Government Museum in Kumbakonam rather than returned to the village shrine.
Practical guide
Plan Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan
Typetemple
Nearest baseSripurandan
Best timeOctober to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta
Time neededAbout an hour
EntryFree
Nearest town/baseSripurandan
DistrictAriyalur
Place typetemple
Time neededAbout an hour.
A Shiva temple at Sripurandan dated by inscriptions to the period of Kulottunga III (1178-1218 CE). It drew international attention when its roughly 900-year-old bronze Nataraja idol, stolen and smuggled abroad, was purchased by the National Gallery of Australia before the theft was exposed, leading to the idol's repatriation to India in 2014. The recovered bronze is now held at the Government Museum in Kumbakonam rather than returned to the village shrine.
Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan is planned from Sripurandan, one of the travel bases in Ariyalur district. Use Sripurandan for stays, food and local transport, then plan this place as a focused stop.
Visiting
Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan — at a glance
Timings6:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Best timeOctober to March (cooler, drier weather)
Entry: Free
Getting here
How to reach Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan
In Udayarpalayam taluk, about 12 km from Ariyalur town; nearest railway station Ariyalur (~12 km); nearest airport Tiruchirappalli (TRZ) ~60 km.
A small village shrine tied to a well-known Chola-bronze repatriation case; the original idol is not on site.
Getting there
How to visit
- Base yourself in Sripurandan or nearby in Ariyalur, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel.
- If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
Timing
Best time
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
Weather in Pradakshineswarar Temple, SripurandanSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
Safety
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On the map
Where Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan is
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Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan?
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
What are the entry fee and timings at Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan?
Entry: Free. Timings: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan?
Base yourself in Sripurandan or nearby in Ariyalur, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel. If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
How much time do I need for Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan?
About an hour.
What else is near Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan?
Nearby you can pair Ariyalur (680 m), Kodandaramaswamy Temple, Ariyalur (1.6 km), Kallankurichi Dinosaur Egg Fossil Site (3.5 km), Kaliyuga Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kallankurichi (4.6 km).
Image credits
- Pradakshineswarar Temple, Sripurandan:Sivakumarkrish · CC BY-SA 4.0