This is the most popular temple in Padavedu.  Padavedu is one of the most important ‘Sakthi Sthalas’ in Thondainadu. Goddess Renugambal has self-manifested [swayambu] here with her head alone and is present along with Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in aroopa form. Full form of Amman in Athi wood is behind the main deity. The existence of Banalingam and Nanakarshna Chakra consecrated by Aadhi Sankarar is the specialty of this place.

Next to the Renugambal shrine, is present Lord Shiva as Somnatha Eswar and Amman as Uma Maheswari in separate shrines. There are separate shrines for Vinayagar and Murugan.

There is a clean and closed temple tank within the temple complex. There are two praharams along with broad Mada streets on all four sides [without much encroachment].

Special significance: Every year during the Tamil month Aani Thirumanjanam, holy ash is collected from the Yagna gundam of Sage Jamdgini, on the banks of Kamandala river nearby and that is what is being given as Prasadam .

Temple Timings: Temple opens from 6 AM to 1:30 PM and from 3 PM to 8:30 PM. On Fridays and Sundays, the temple will be open continuosly without any break.

Legend: Padavedu is the place where Sage Jamadagini, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, lived with his wife Renuga devi, an incarnation of Parvathi and son Parasurama, the avatar of Vishnu. Sage Jamadagini and Sage Vishwamitra grew together. The Sage used to perform Yagna daily to which mother Renuga devi used to bring water in a pot just made that day. One day the Mother saw a Gandharva flying and lost her mind on that due to the maya or the play of the great Shakti. She was late for the yagna and felt ashamed. The Sage, knowing this, asked his sons to chop off mother’s head but none came forward. Only Parasurama, to abide his father, came forward and did it and also cut his hand. Nearby Dobis [cloth washers] came to rescue the mother but Parasurama killed all of them. The sage was pleased and asked Parasurama’s wish and he rightly wanted his mother back. Sage agreed and asked Parasurama to join the head and the body and sprinkle holy water over them. Parasurama did so and his mother came to life and also the dobis who died in the fight. But, alas, his mother’s head was attached to a dobi woman’s body and vice versa while doing it in an anxiety. But then Universal mother might have wanted this way only and She then made that dobi woman, her close maiden. She is also worshipped here. All these happenings, it is believed,  took place in Padavedu.  

Meanwhile, Kartha Veerya Arjunan demanded the Kamadenu kept by Jamadagini. When he refused, Kartha Veeryan killed Sage Jamadagini and took away the Kamadenu. So Renuga devi tried to immolate herself along with her husband but rain came and aborted her attemt. Renuga devi came out with boils all over the body and dreesed herself with one made of neem leaves. Parasumarar, on seeing this, got angry and vowed to eliminate the entire Kshatriya tribe. On this, Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu all came up and told Parasuramar that this has happened as per fate and so asked him to calm down. Then Shiva gave life to Sage Jamadagini also.

Renuga devi pleaded to Lord Shiva that she be worshipped with her head alone and wanted her body to go to heaven along with Jamadagini and it was accepted. That’s how Renuga devi is being worshipped on earth with her head alone.