Narthamalai: (16 kms.) The place is of great antiquity. Originally known as Nagarthamalai, meaning The Abode of Merchant Guild. A series of eight hills encircle the village, and the valley below presents an enchanting view. Today, the place has become famous for its Mariamman temple patronised by the surrounding villages. In the past, it was known for a number of rock-cut cave temples and splendid monuments on one of the hills called Malamalai. The earliest of these is known as Vijayalaya Cholishwaran, the oldest of the Chola temples in Tamilnadu. There are two other cave temples nearby which have good specimens of sculpture of those days.