Sree Kashyabeswarar Temple/ஸ்ரீகஷ்யபேஸ்வரர் கோயில், 7th Kshadaranya temple, அவரக்கரை /Avarakarai, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Kashyabeswarar Temple at Avarakarai near Ranipet and Arcot was part of the “Sadaranya Kshetram Visit” around Arcot on January 11, 2026, organised by Rameswaram Travel Agency

This Sri Kashyabeswarar Temple at Avarakarai (Navlock) is one of the Shadaranya Kshetras around Ranipet. During the Puranic period, this place was associated with Karai Flowers. The Shiva of this temple was installed and worshipped by Kashyaba Maharishi.

Sl No	Temple	Munivar	Place	Aranyam
1	Sri Vasishteswara Swamy Temple	Vasishta Maharishi	Veppur	Nimbavanam – Neem Trees
2	Sri Valmikiswarar Temple	Valmiki Maharishi	Melvisharam	Vishavrukshavanam-Ettimaram
3	Sri Gauthameswarar Temple	Gautama Maharishi	Karai	Kaarai  Vanam – Kaarai trees
4	Sri Agastheeswarar Temple	Agasthiya Maharishi	Vannivedu	Sameevanam – Vanni Trees
5	Sri Thiruvantheeswarar Temple	Atri Maharishi	Gudimallur	Gudamallikavanam – Koda malli
6	Sri Barathwajeswarar Temple	Barathwaja Maharishi	Pudupadi	Soothavanam – Mango Trees
7	Sri Kashyabeswarar Temple	Kashyaba Maharishi	Avarakarai (Navlock)	Karai Flowers

Moolavar  : Sri Kashyabeswarar

Consort    : Sri Parvathavardini

Vanam     : Karai Flowers

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a two-tier Rajagopuram. A stucco image of Vinayagar is on the top of the open mukha mandapam. Sree Kashyaba Maharishi, Balipeedam, and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Dwarapalakas paintings are at the entrance of the ardha mandapam. Vinayagar and Murugan are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is small on a round avudayar. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In praharam, Nagars, Ambal, Bairavar, Chandikeswarar, Nalvar, Kashyaba Maharishi, and Navagrahas.

Ambal is in a separate temple facing east. A Simham is in front of the temple. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastam. In koshtam Maheswari, Gaumari, Vaishnavi, Brahmi, and Bairavi.

ARCHITECTURE

The whole temple was constructed with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, the ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an adhistanam, which does not follow any architectural style. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam. The eka tala vesara vimanam is over the prastaram, without any koshtas. The sigaram don’t have maha nasis.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Based on the legends and the connected temples belongs to belongs to 13^th to 14^th century, the latter Chozha period. Hence, we may consider the original temple to belong to the same period. Later may have been reconstructed with bricks during the 18^th to 19^th centuries. 

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Ma Kamakshi playfully closed the eyes of Shiva. The universe has come to a standstill. Angered, Shiva cursed Ma Kamakshi to go to the earth. Ma Kamakshi did penance for Shri Shiva. Pleased by the penance, Shiva married at Kanchipuram. To witness the celestial wedding, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, the celestial gods, and all the Rishis and Munis assembled at Kanchipuram. The 6 Maharishis (“ஷட் (Saṭ / षट्)”- Six) (Many claim that Seven Maharishis worshipped, hence 7 temples are grouped on Shadaranya Kshetram), stayed in 6 forest areas on the banks of the River Palar, established Swayambhu Shiva Lingas and worshipped. The Shiva Lingas are called in the name of the Maharishis, who established the Shiva Lingas. Hence, all seven temples are called Shadaranya Kshetras.

Kashyaba Maharishi

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Shivaratri, Kiruthigai, Pournami, Amavasya, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open in the morning for the pooja and closed afterwards.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 4 km from Chennai to Krishnagiri, Bangalore and Mumbai Highway. 5 km from Arcot town, 7 km from Walajapet, and 10 km from Walajah Road Junction.

The nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---