A Sthala Vriksha (), also rendered Sthala Vruksham refers to a sacred tree associated with a site, most often a Hindu temple. Such trees form a prominent feature of koils, Hindu temples of the Dravidian style. Besides the dominant feature of a temple's architecture, comprising the gopuram (gateway tower), vimanam (tower), and the sanctum, the temple tree is also considered holy. Some temples and historical places derive their names from such trees. In the contemporary era, the importance of these trees are reiterated by doing pujas to them, and tying sacred threads and bells during days of religious importance. Significance Several historical Hindu temples are associated with a tree. Trees are found to symbolise growth and prosperity. In South Indian village folklore, there is a tree or forest associated with goddesses like Kali, Amman, Mariamman, or Ellai Pidari. When the trees or the forests are not properly maintained, the residents are believed to get punished in the form of a poor harvest or famine. The forests names and the deities are closely associated in Shaiva lore. The temple at Thirukkuvalai is referred to be located in a forest called Kathakaranya, after the temple tree. Bilva (Aegle marmelos) is the most common Sthala Vriksha in Shiva temples, while the leaves of Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is considered sacred for Vishnu temples. The other common Sthala Vrikshas are neem (Azadirachta indica), peepal (Ficus religiosa), marudhu (Terminalia paniculata) and kanikonna (Cassia fistula). The selection of the colour of flowers varies according to the deities. While white, blue, and yellow flowers are considered sacred to Krishna and Vishnu, red and shades of orange are considered sacred to Shiva. According to the Ramayana, the word Sthala Vriksha is a mixture of Yakshaya Chaitya (the tree with the spirit within) and Vriksha Chaitya (the protector tree), indicating the sacred tree in each region. Associated deities Dakshinamurthy is an aspect of the Hindu god Shiva as a guru (teacher) of all types of knowledge. This aspect of Shiva, as the original guru, is his personification as the supreme or the ultimate awareness, understanding and knowledge. In this aspect as Dakshinamurti, Shiva is generally shown with four arms. He is depicted seated under a banyan tree, facing the south. Shiva is seated upon a deer-throne, and surrounded by sages who receive his instruction. The karanja tree is associated with Narasimha, who is said to have offered a darshana to