Sri Gauthameswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீகௌதமேஸ்வரர் கோயில், காரை/ Kaarai, Ranipet District, Tamil Nadu.

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

This Sri Gauthameswarar Temple at Karai near Ranipet is one of the Shadaranya Kshetras around Ranipet. During the Puranic period, this place was known as Kaarai Vanam – Kaarai. The Shiva of this temple was installed and worshipped by Gautama 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  : Sree Gauthameswarar

Consort    : Sree Kiruba Nayaki

Aranyam  : Kaarai  Vanam - Karai Tree

Some of the salient features of this temple are…..

The temple faces east with an entrance from the east. Rishabam and balipeedam are after the entrance, under the open mukha mandapam. Vinayagar and Murugan are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is of swayambhu on a round avudayar. Gauthama Maharishi is in front of Moolavar in the mandapam. Kiruba Nayaki is in front of the Moolavar in Antarala. In koshtam, only Vinayagar.

In praharam Vinayagar, Sarabeswarar, Dakshinamurthy, Vallalar, and Bairavar.

ARCHITECTURE

The whole temple was constructed with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an adhistanam. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi with madhalai and kapotam. The eka tala vimanam is over the prastaram. Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu and Brahma are in the greeva koshtams. The sigaram is of vesara style with maha nasis on the cardinal directions. The alpha nasis are between the maha nasis.  

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Based on the architecture, the temple may belong to the 13^th to 14^th century, the latter Chozha period. Later may have been reconstructed with bricks during the Vijayanagara period.

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). The Shiva Lingas are called in the name of the Maharishis, who established the Shiva Lingas. Hence, all seven temples are called Shadaranya Kshetras.

As per the display at the temple, Gautama Maharishi was one of the Pancha Rishis who came from one face of Shiva. Parvati was his daughter. After observing Shiva bhakti, Ma Parvati married Shiva.

Gautama Marishi and Ahalya… Ahalya was the wife of Gautama Maharishi, who also came from the Thiruparkadal while churning for the Amrita. Seeing the beauty of Ahalya, the celestial deities wished to marry her. Maha Vishnu gave a challenge of, who can stay under the Thiruparkadal can only marry Ahalya. In that Gautama Maharishi won the challenge and married her.

Gautama Maharishi's ashram was famous for its Tank, which never dries up.  With this, he fed food to whoever visited the ashram. With the jealous on Gautama Maharishi, the other Maharishis created a magical cow, made to eat and destroy Gautama’s fields. On seeing this, Gautama Maharishi took a dharpai grass and threw it on the magic cow. The magic cow died. He was too old to get rid of dosha; he had to circumambulate Brahmagiri one lakh times and take a bath in the Ganga. When he completes the circumambulation, Shiva appeared as Thiryambakeswara and said that he need not go in search of Ganga, Ganga will come to him. Shiva released Ganga from his head through the hair strands. This was called the Gotavari, also called Gautami Ganga. Seeing this, other Maharishis praised Shiva and Gautama Maharishi.

Once a big temple, it has become dilapidated without proper maintenance. Thirupani was carried out and brought back to worship by the devotees. The present structure and Sarabeswara may belong to the Vijayanagara period.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri days, pournami, Monthly Shivaratri, Amavasya, Sankadahara Chaturthi, Theipirai Ashtami, Kiruthigai, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs and from 17.00 hrs to 19.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 3 km from Chennai to Krishnagiri, Bangalore and Mumbai Highway. 4 km from Arcot town, 6 km from Walajapet, and 9 km from Walajah Road Junction.

The nearest Railway Station is Walajah Road Junction.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---