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 31st January 2026 and 1st 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
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) 16th
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.
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 ---
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