Virudhachalam is located between Villupuram and Kumbakonam. It has 5 majestic gopurams.

The temple is in the banks of river Manimutharu. This temple is also called  as Thirumudukundram or Pazha malai.It just means a grand old mountain.

Significance:

This temple is equivalent to Kasi because people who breathe their last here are blessed with god and goddess chanting the Shivaya Nama in the ears of the deceased.

The Vanni tree in the temple is 1700 year old, say researchers.

The temple is praised by the three Saivite Saints Gnanasambandar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar in their Thevaram hymns.