Maanturai Amravaneswarar Temple, is a temple dedicated to Hindu deity Shiva, located in Manturai, a village in the outskirts of Trichy, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the three of the most revered Nayanars (Saivite Saints), Appar and Tirugnana Sambandar have glorified the temple with their verses during the 7th-8th century. The temple has been widely expanded by Chola kings during the 11th century. The temple has three tiered gateway tower and a tank. Since Shiva bestowed a deer with a mango, this place is called Manthurai. The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The Chittirai festival during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May) is celebrated for fifteen days, portraying the various incidents associated with the temple legend. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. Legend Shiva bestowed a deer with a mango here. Since Shiva bestowed a deer with a mango, this place is called Manthurai (maan is deer in Tamil). Surya, Chandra, Kanvar and Vishnu are said to have worshipped Shiva here. Mrikandu Munivar (father of Markandeya) and a deer are said to have worshipped Shiva under a mango tree, and this legend is illustrated in stucco in the temple. Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, is said to have brought the Gayatri Nadi at the completion of his worship here, and his act of having made the false claim of having seen the top of the column of fire in which Shiva had manifested himself, was absolved here. It is believed that sage Mrikandeeswara is believed to have performed penance at this temple and hence it is also called Mrikandeswarapura. Indra, the king of celestial deities, is said to have worshipped Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of having deceived Ahalya, the wife of Gowtama Rishi. Bhrama and Vishnu adorn the niches in the walls of the sanctum. This place has been referred to in Thevaram, the Saiva anthology written by Saint Poet (7th Century AD) Thirugnana Sambanthar and Appar. Architecture This temple is situated 15 km from Trichy in Maanthurai, a village in Trichy - Lalgudi road. The nearest railway station is at Lalgudi and the nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport. The Shiva