Sri Kaliamman Temple / காளியம்மன் கோயில், கரப்பாடி / Karapadi, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kaliamman Temple at Karapadi was a part of “Temples, Hero Stones, Memorial Stones, Hero Stambhas (Mala Koil) and Heritage Sites Visit, around Pollachi”, on 31^st January 2026 and 1^st February 2026. Thanks to Mr. Bala, Mrs. Padma Jyothi, and Mrs. Sakthi Prakash for accompanying me on both days.

Moolavar: Sri Kaliamman

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple’s arch is on the roadside. The temple faces North with a Garudathoon / Deepa Stambhamm. Dwajasthampam, balipeedam and Simha Vahana are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Dwarapalakis are on both sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Sri Kaliamman is in a sitting posture with abhaya varada hastam.

In the praharam, Navagrahas, Bairavar without Dog, Stucco Horses, Kaliamman temple with 8 hands, Chandikeswarar, Maha Muniswarar, and 3 stucco horses.  

Ettu kai Amman 

Chandikeswarar

Dwarapalakis

 Bairavar

ARCHITECTURE

The whole temple was reconstructed with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape on a upanam and a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. A salakara 2-tier vimanam, greevam, and sigaram are on the bhumidesam. Amman’s various forms are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple belongs to the 13th–14th century, and the same was reconstructed in recent years. It is said that the original Moolavar -8 kai Amman (Mahishasuramardini) - was shifted to the new sannidhi and a new moolavar Kali was installed in its place.  

Due to the presence of Chandikeswarar and Bairavar, is there any possibility that the original temple may be a Shiva temple?. The expert’s opinion is welcomed in this regard.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 03^rd September 2023.

LEGENDS

It is believed that Kaliamman will protect the village of Karapadi from evil spirits and diseases. The villagers worship Kaliamman for Child boon, to remove marriage obstacles, etc.  

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Fridays, New Moon days, etc. The annual chariot festival will be conducted in May.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is in the midst of the coconut farm. The temple is about 1.5 km from Karapadi village. The Karapadi is about 14 km from Pollachi, 27 km from Udumalaipettai, and 50 km from Coimbatore.

The nearest Railway Station is Pollachi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Amanalingeshwar Temple / ஸ்ரீ அமணலிங்கேஸ்வர் கோவில், Karapadi/ கரப்பாடி, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Amanalingeshwar Temple at Karapadi was a part of “Temples, Hero Stones, Memorial Stones, Hero Stambhas (Mala Koil) and Heritage Sites Visit, around Pollachi”, on 31^st January 2026 and 1^st February 2026. Thanks to Mr. Bala, Mrs. Padma Jyothi, and Mrs. Sakthi Prakash for accompanying me on both days.

Moolavar: Sri Amanalingeshwar

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a deepa Stambhamm. The temple tank is on the left side of the temple. Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the temple under an open mandapam. The mandapam pillars are the old mandapam pillars.  In the sanctum sanctorum, 3 Shiva Lingas are worshipped as Shiva, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma.

In koshtam Dakshinamurthy and Ambal as Rishabanthikar

Ambal as Rishabanthikar

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is ona pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, plain mandi, palakai, and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kapotam with nasi kudus and vyyalavari. Bhuta ganas, erotic sculptures, and Vishnu puranas are in the valapi. The deva koshtas are of the sala style. A 1 tala vimanam is above the bhumi desam, with greevam and a nagara sigaram.  Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Murugan are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

The Rishaba mandapa's old pillars have the bas reliefs of Vinayagar, Murugan, 3d deer’s head movement, etc.

Bhuta ganas in the valapi

Bhuta ganas in the valapi

Bhuta ganas in the valapi

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since the Moolavar is called Amana Lingeshwarar, some Historians claims this as a Jain temple and later converted into a Shiva Temple. But there is no proof to justify the claim. If it were converted from a Jain to a Hindu temple, the name would have also been changed.

The earliest inscription found in this temple belongs to Kongu Chozha Veera Rajendran’s (1206 to 1256 CE) 16^th reign year. Kongu Pandya Veera Pandya’s inscription is also recorded in this temple. As per the inscription, this place was called Karaipadi in Kavadikaval Nadu. Shiva was called “Thanthondreeswarar (Swayambhu)”. Ambal was called Thirupalliayarai Nachiyar.

One inscription records the Adipoora vizha as – Thirunonbu – and 5 adukku lamp - அஞ்சுபாத விளக்கு - was gifted to this temple.

Another 13th-century Chozha-period inscription records the privileges given to the Kammalars to blow shanka and beat drums/ perikai for good celebration and in some bad rituals. They are also allowed to wear cheppals in villages (These types of inscriptions are found in three temples of the Kongu region. In addition, Kammalars are allowed to plaster walls of their houses). This shows that caste discrimination was on the higher side in the Kongu region.

The water channels Chozhavathi, Veerakeralavathi, and Kulasekaravathi are mentioned in the lands gifted to this temple. This shows the water management from 800 years ago. Also mentions the types of lands as thalaimadai – land that uses first irrigation, mannarai – the forest land converted for cultivation, and mandrattu – grazing land.

Ref

An article in Kongu Kalvettayyvu, by (late) Durai Sundaram.

http://kongukalvettuaayvu.blogspot.com/2014/05/blog-post.html

LEGENDS

Since Shiva of this temple was called Thanthondreeswarar, which means Shiva came on his own. Also called the Swayambhu Lingam. Why and when the name of Shiva was changed to Amanalingeshwar is not known. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kal poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, New moon days, and Maha Shivaratri days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 11.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is in the midst of the coconut farm and can be reached only through private vehicles. The temple is about 1.5 km from Karapadi village. The Karapadi is about 14 km from Pollachi, 27 km from Udumalaipettai, and 50 km from Coimbatore.

The nearest Railway Station is Pollachi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Labirinth/ Maze/ புதிர் நிலை /Puthir Nilai, Ezhu Sutru Kottai Mariamman Temple, Kedimedu, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Labirinth / Maze/ Puthir Nilai, at Kedimedu, was a part of “Temples, Hero Stones, Memorial Stones, Hero Stambhas (Mala Koil) and Heritage Sites Visit, around Pollachi”, on 31^st January 2026 and 1^st February 2026. Thanks to Mr. Bala, Mrs. Padma Jyothi, and Mrs. Sakthi Prakash for accompanying me on both days.

This Labirinth / Maze, in Tamil புதிர் நிலை, was first identified by the Tiruppur, Veera Rajendran Historical research Group. It is believed that this labyrinth/maze is 1200 years old. This labyrinth consists of 7 passages in rectangle formation with corners rounded off. Most of the portion is disturbed.     

This Labirinth / maze is worshipped as 7 - ஏழு சுற்று கோட்டை மாரியம்மன். Seven head-sized Amman images are worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum, and regular poojas are conducted. Special poojas are conducted on New Moon days with annadhanam.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Poojari Mr Muruganantham, may be contacted on his mobile number +918012108881, +919688241818, and G Pay number +919842607282, for further details and poojas.  

HOW TO REACH

The mud road after the weigh bridge at Kedimedu leads to this temple. The village Kedimedu is on the Pollachi to Udumalaipettai Highway.

The Kedimedu is about 15 km from Udumalaipettai and 17 km from Pollachi,

The nearest Railway Station is Pollachi.

LOCATION OF THE LABIRINTH/ MAZE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Cairn Circle, Menhir / Nattukal/ Nedungal, Nattukalpalayam, Karappadi, Sangam Pidari Amman Kovil Menhir, Tammamparai, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to these Cairn Circle, Menhir at Nattukalpalayam, Karappadi, and Tammampari, was a part of “Temples, Hero Stones, Memorial Stones, Hero Stambhas (Mala Koil) and Heritage Sites Visit, around Pollachi”, on 31^st January 2026 and 1^st February 2026. Thanks to Mr. Bala, Mrs. Padma Jyothi, and Mrs. Sakthi Prakash for accompanying me on both days.

MENHIR / SANGAM PIDARI AMMAN TEMPLE MENHIR, TAMMAMPARAI.

This Menhir is worshipped as Sangam Pidari Amman along with saptakannis. This Menhir is open to the sky, in a slanting position. This Menhir measures 8 feet tall, 5 feet wide, and 1.5 feet thick.

LOCATION OF THE MENHIR: CLICK HERE

 

CAIRN CIRCLES/ MENHIRS AT NATTUKALPALAYAM

This place, Nattukalpalayam, was named after the Menhir or Nattukal (In Tamil: நாட்டுகல்). The Cairn Circle, with flat stones erected around the periphery, is inside a coconut form. The cists' slab stones are strewn around the Cairn Circle. It is said that there was a Menhir along with this Cairn Circle.

There is a menhir at the end of the street, inside the colony. This menhir is in a slanting position, measures 12 feet tall, 6 feet wide, and 1 feet thickness at the base.

LOCATION OF THE MENHIR: CLICK HERE

 PC - website, whether this is the one along with the cirn circle or the one that exists now

 The Menhir slanting position, inside the colony on the end of the street

MENHIR / HERO STAMBHAM AT KARAPADI.

Kaliamman Temple is before the entrance of the coconut farm with stones erected like menhirs. About 50 meters from the road on the west side of the eri, inside the coconut farm, a Menhir is under worship inside a built-up temple. This menhir is very similar to Hero Stambham and does not have any sculptures.

LOCATION OF THE MENHIR: CLICK HERE

 

The Menhirs - Kaliamman Temple

The Menhirs - Kaliamman Temple

MENHIRS AT SEELAKKAMPATTI.

On the right side of the Malakoil and the road, some stones are erected like menhirs. It is said that these stones exists on this place since ancient times.

LOCATION OF THE MENHIR: CLICK HERE

MENHIRS AT DEVANURPUDUR (Navakara Palam, Anumantha Pattanam, Opposite to Chola Recreation Club). 

This Pulikuthi Hero stone is worshipped as Kula Deivam of Raja Kambalathu Nayakars of this region, as Sri Nakkal Thathaiyan alias Avul Thathaiyan. This temple is also called “Nari Kadichan Koil – நரி கடிச்சான் கோயில்”. It was learned that Tiger was called Nari by the local people. 3 Menhirs are found in front of the temple and on the back side of the temple.

LOCATION OF THE MENHIR: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---