The 275 temples of Lord Shiva are mentioned in the Thevaram hymns sung by 63 Nayanmarkal.Out of 63 three Tamil poets where known as Saiva Kuruvars – Thirugnana Sambanthar, Tirunavukkarasar (aka Appar) and Sundaramoorthy Nayanar (aka Sundarar). These three are considered the primary three among the sixty three Nayanmars of the Saivite sect of Hinduism.

The 275 are spread across India.

• 63 in Chola Nadu – North of Kaveri,
• 129 in Chola Nadu – South of Kaveri,
• 2 in Eezha Nadu,
• 14 in Pandya Nadu,
• 1 in Malai Nadu,
• 7 in Kongu Nadu,
• 22 in Nadu Nadu,
• 32 in Tondai Nadu,
• 1 in Tulu Nadu,
• 5 in Vada Nadu