This is the 265th Devara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and the 7th Sthalam of Kongu Nadu, on the banks of river Amaravathi. As per Thevaram the place was called Karuvur Aanilai, Tiruvanilai, and Lord Shiva was called Tiruvanilai Mahadevar, many scholars refer as Thirukaruvur Aanilai and now called Karur. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
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தொண்டெலாமவர் தூவியேத்த நஞ்சு
உண்டலாருயிர் ஆய தன்மையார்
கண்டனார்கரு வூருள் ஆநிலை
அண்டனார் அருள் ஈயும் அன்பரே
... திருஞானசம்பந்தர் தேவாரம்
The sthala
purana of this temple under Karuvur puram was written by Karmega Pulavar. The
biography of Karuvur Thevar was given under Kazhiperu Sarukkam with 157 songs
in Karuvur Purana.
என்றவர் கவலித்து உட்க ஏய்ந்துசிற் றிலைகள் உற்று
நின்றதோர் வன்னி தன்னை நீதருக என்ற போழ்தின்
மின்தரு வானம் பூத்த மீன்நிலம் இழிதல் ஏய்ப்ப
அன்று அளித்தது யார் மேலோர் கருத்தினை அளவு காண்பார்
.... கரூர்ப்புராணம்
Moolavar : Sri Pasupatheswarar, Sri Pasupathy Nathar, Sri Pasupathy.
Consort : Sri Kirupanayaki, Sri Soundyarya Nayagi
Some of the important features of
this temple are...
The temple faces east with a 7-tier Rajagopuram measuring a height of 120 feet with lots and lots of stucco images. The temple has a compound
wall, measures 465 feet, east–west and
205 feet, north-south. A Deepasthamba is immediately after the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam,
Dwajasthambam and Rishabam / Idabam are in the mandapam after the Rajagopuram. There is
a second level 3 tier Rajagopuram after the mandapam. Moolavar is of swayambhu, a little
leaned / inclined position on a square avudayar. There is a cow's
leg/hoof mark on Sivalingam. In Koshtam,
Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. There is also a 100-pillar mandapam in the temple, Kalyana Mandapa.
In the inner Prakaram 63var,
Eripatha Nayanar, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Muruga, Mahalakshmi and Pancha
Lingas. Ambal Sundaravalli (Kriya
Shakti) is in a separate sannadhi facing south. Ambal Alangara valli ( Icha
Sakthi ) sannadhi is also there facing east. Natarajar sabha Navagrahas, Kala Bhairavar are also in the prakaram.
Karuvurar was born in Karur and he
used to sing in front of Lord Shiva during his younger days. As per the legend
Lord Shiva leaned to one side to hear Karuvur Thevar's songs. Even though Karuvur Thevar belongs to this place and has sung 103 hymns of various
temples in Thiruvisaippa, one of the 12 Thirumurai, he might have sung on Lord Shiva of this temple also, but the same is
not available now.
Also, this is the birthplace of Eripatha
Nayanar and Pugazh Chozha Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmar who turned into a
Shaivite Nayanmar from the King. Sri Karuvur Thevar’s Jeeva Samadhi temple is in
the outer prakaram.
Arunagirinathar came to this temple.
Worshiped and sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga.
மதியால்வித் தனாகி – மனதாலுத் தமனாகிப்
பதிவாகிச் சிவஞான – பரயோகத் தருள்வாயே
நிதியேநித் தியமேயென் - நினைவேநற் பொருளோய்
கதியேசொற் பரவேளே – கருவூரிற் பெருமாளே
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
Cheras ruled the Kongu region and present Kerala keeping Karur as the Capital
during the 6th-7th Century, before Chozhas. This temple was
built during the period of Cheras and had the contributions of Chozhas, Pandyas, and
Vijayanagaras. During the Chozha period, Lord Shiva was called Tiruvanilai Mahadevar.
Rajendra Chozha-II’s 9th-year reign inscription starts with his meikeerthi “Thirumakal maruviya.... திருமகள் மருவிய“, records the tax-free gift tirunamattukkani
of the Village, Ganapati Nallur in
Vengala Nadu, a subdivision of Adhirajaraja mandalam by the king to meet the
expenses of Tiruvanilai – Mahadeva.
A 13th to 14th
Century inscription without the name of the King ( probably Madurai Pandya period –
based on the names of the signatories ) ordered while witnessing a dance at Vanji
Nayakan Tirunandavanam after worshiping Lord Shiva, a Village Minnuvanpalli alias
Alagiya Chozha Kuttanur ( with trees above the ground and wells below the
ground ) to this temple, fixing a revenue of 30 pon to meet the expenses of
worship, offerings, and festivals in Masi
to god Alagiya Chokkanatha, who was installed at Tiruvanilai Mahadeva temple at
Karur. The Karuvur was in Vanji Managaram alias Mudivalangu – Chozhapuram, in
Vengala nadu a sub division of Virasola mandalam.
Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 24th-year reign inscription records, (who holds Elam, Madurai & Karuvur) the
tax-free as iriyili devadhana of the Village Adichchanallurin Tattaiyur nadu by
the King to the Tiruvanilai Mahadeva in Tiru Vanji Managaram alias Mudivalangu Solapuram in Vengala Nadu a division of
Vira Kerala (Chola) mandalam (ie Kongu mandalam) to meet the expenses of worship, services,
repairs, and special festival on the day of Tiru-k-karthikai.
Rajendra Chozha-II’s 24th
year (maybe 9th year, since he didn’t rule such a long year ) reign
inscriptions record the tax-free gift of Village Sanappiratti in Tattaiyur
Nadu, to meet the expenses of worship, service, and repairs.
Another 10 inscriptions, belonging to
Pandya King Sundara Pandya, Kulothunga –III, Rajaraja-III are recorded in South India Koil Sasanangal-II, speak mainly the donations of Villages, lands, Golds, towards meeting the expenses for
worship, services, repairs and to conduct important functions. It was learnt
that the Rajagopuram was built at the beginning of the 20th Century,
till such time it was a mottai gopuram.
REF:
South India Koil Sasanangal-II
LEGENDS
As per the Legend, lord Shiva sensed
the conceit of Brahma, the creator of this world, and sent Kamadhenu to this world
and took up the job of creation. Also, Lord Shiva instructed her to worship him
hiding inside an anthill in the Vanji forest in Karur. Kamadhenu worshiped Lord
Shiva by milking on the anthill. During the process of worship, accidentally
Kamadhenu’s hoof hits Lord Shiva. She pleaded with Shiva to pardon her. Hence Lord
Shiva was called Pasupatheeswarar. Please the worship of Kamadhenu, asked
her to continue her creation. In the meantime, Brahma realized his mistake and did
a penance of Lord Shiva to get back his power of creation. He came to this
place created a Theertham and worshiped Lord Shiva. Finally, Lord Shiva pleased by the devotion of
Brahma, pardoned him and gave back the power
of creation.
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POOJA AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from daily pooja, Annual 10
days festival during Tamil new year month Chithirai, Maha Shivaratri, Soorasamharam in Aippasi, Pradosham, No moon day, Full moon day, Krishna Jayanthi,
Karthigai Deepam with 108 conch
abhishekam Festival in Aadi, Theertha Vizha in Thai, Panguni Uthiram, special poojas are conducted.
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be kept open between
06.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.
CONTACT Details :
The mobile number +91 4324 262010 may be contacted for further details.
Temple website: http://www.karurpasupatheeswarar.tnhrce.in/
HOW TO REACH
Autos are available from the Karur Bus
stand.
The temple is 500 Meters from Karur Bus stand, 2.2 KM from
Karur Railway Station, 65.9 KM from Erode, 80 KM from Trichy, 140 KM from
Coimbatore, and 400 KM from Chennai.
Buses are available from major
Cities of Tamil Nadu.
The nearest Railway
station is Karur and the nearest Junction is
Trichy.
Rajagopuram stucco images view from east
View from Southside
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---OM
SHIVAYA NAMA---
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