Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam Temple, Pathai

The village of Pathai is located on the foothills of the Western Ghats range of mountains in the south of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

The presiding deity of the temple is Shiva with the name - Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam with His consort — Devi Sugandha Kuntalambika (Mattuvarkuzhali in Tamil language).

An intricately carved Nandhi or the Sacred Bull, the divine mount of Lord Shiva, sits facing the main deity — Kulashekharanatha Mahalingam.

This Lord is known to bless copious rains in the area when his Sanctum is filled with water and offered special prayers even in the severe droughts.

The Sthalapurana, or the history of the place, indicates that Lord Rama visited this temple en route to Lanka in search of His wife Sita.

The latest inscription near the entrance after the Nandi Mantapa informs of the Consecration or the Kumbhabhishekam done on 31 January 1971 AD by the citizens of Pathai village.

Main entrance showing Bali Peeta, Dwajasthambha and Nandi Mantapa
Kumbhabhishekam/Consecration 31 January 1971 AD inscribed on the wall