Karur District Temples

PLACE	DESCRIPTION
Arunattar/Pugazhi Malai	Sri BalaSubramaniya Swamy Temple
Injampalli	Sri Chozheeswarar Temple
Injampalli	Hero Stones
Iyermalai	Sri Rathnagiriswarar Temple
Jagathabi	Menhirs & Cairn Circles
Kulithalai	Kadambavaneswarar Temple
Kanakkuvelanpatti	Tirthankara worshiped as Mottai Andavar
Karur	Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple
Karur Museum	Sculptures
Kulithalai	Kadambavaneswarar Temple
Munnur	Ayyanar Sculpture
Nerur	Agneeshwarar Temple
Nerur	Sri Bhadrakaliamman Temple
Somur	Someswara Temple
Somur	Someswara Temple
Thirumukkudalur	Agasthiswarar Temple
Venjamagudalur	Kalyana Vigirtheeswarar Temple

Kadambavaneswarar Temple / Kadambar Koil / Kulittalai Kadambavaneswarar Temple / கடம்பவனேஸ்வரர் திருக்கோயில் / கடம்பந்துறை / குளித்தலை / Kulithalai, Karur District, Tamil Nadu.

This temple is the 119^th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and the 2^nd Sthalam on the south side of the river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. During the 6^th to 7^th century, this place was called Kadambathurai and is now called Kulithalai/Kuzhithalai, and the inscriptions mention Kulirthandalai. This place is on the way to Karur from Tiruchirappalli. It is believed that it will be auspicious to worship "Morning Kadambar at Kulithalai, after noon Rathnagiriswarar at Thiruvatpokki, and Evening Sri Maragadachaleswarar at Thiru Engoyi malai". Since the temple faces North, similar to Kashi, hence called Dakshina Kashi.

In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirupparaithurai. But he didn’t mention this temple in particular.

சிலந்திக்கு அருளும் கழல்வணங்கக் செஞ்சொல் மாலை பலபாடி

இலங்கு சடையார் எறும்பியூர் மாலையும் இறைஞ்சிப் பாடியபின்

மலர்ந்த சோதித் திருச்சிராப் பள்ளி மலையும் கற்குடியும்

நலங்கொள் செல்வத் திருப்பராய்த் துறையும் தொழுவான் நண்ணினார்

……… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்

Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Ayadigal Kadavarkon, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.  

பூமென் கோதையுமை யொருபாகனை

ஓமம் செய்தும் உணர்மின்கள் உள்ளத்தால்

காமற் காய்ந்த பிரான் கடம்பந்துறை

நாம மேத்த நந்தீவினை நாசமே

……… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

அழகு திரிகுரம்பை ஆங்கது விட்டாவி

ஒழுகும் பொழுதறிய ஒண்ணா – கழுகு

கழித்துண்ட லையாமுன் காவிரியின் தென்பால்

குழித் தண்டலை யானைக்கூறு

……….. ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன்

                                           --- கோட் போக்கி

நில்லுங்கடம்ப நெறிபோல் எனப்பூவ

சொல்லுங் கடம்பந்துறை நிறைவே

………. திரு அருட்பா

சிற்றிடையும் இருகரமும் சேவடியும் மலர்முகமும்’

பற்றிடுவோர் வினையொழிக்கும் பரங்கருணைத் திருநோக்கும்

உற்றடியார் பணிகடம்ப வனமேவும் ஒருதேவி

முற்றிலா முலையம்மை முளரிலமலை அடிபோற்றி

……… கடம்பவனமான்மியம் . அம்பாள் துதி

Moolavar  : Sri  Kadambavaneswarar, Sri Kadambavana Nathar.

Consort    : Sri Bala Kujalambal, Sri Mutrillamulayal.

Sthala Viruksham : Kadamba Tree.

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The Kadambar temple is at the center of Kulithalai and faces north with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. A mandapam is in front of Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Murugan and Parvathi  as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar, and Murugan are on the top of the mandapam. The Dwajasthambam passes through the hole made in the roof. Balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram.

In the sanctum, Moolavar is of Swayambhu. Saptamatrikas (most of the websites wrongly mentioned as Saptakannis ) are on the back side wall of Moolavar sannadhi in the form of bas-relief. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. The Dwarapalakas. Sri Dindi and Sri Mundi are beautifully chiseled.

Sri Chandikeswarar is in a small pillar mandapam. Shaniswarar and Vinayagar are not in the usual place. There are two Natarajar, one is with muyalagan and the other without muyalagan. In praharam Chandikeswarar, Agora Veerabhadra, Pancha Lingas, Jyeshta Devi, Nalvar, 63 var, Sekkizhar, Vishwanathar, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar with Valli Devasena, Somaskandar, Gajalakshmi, and Bhairavar.

Ambal is in a separate temple, like a sannadhi immediately after the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are in front of the Ambal sannadhi. The Ambal temple is facing east.

The 15th-century sage Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Murugan of this temple.

கணபணபு யங்கமுங் கங்கையுந் திங்களுங்

        குரவுமறு குங்குறுந் தும்பையுங் கொன்றையுங்

        கமழ்சடில சம்புவுங் கும்பிடும் பண்புடைக்         குருநாதா

    கனகுடகில் நின்றகுன் றந்தருஞ் சங்கரன்

        குறுமுனிக மண்டலங் கொண்டு முன் கண்டுங்

        கதிசெய்நதி வந்துறுந் தென்கடம் பந்துறைப்       பெருமாளே

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and a mukha mandapam.  A vesara vimana is over the sanctum. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Since Lord Shiva of this temple was praised by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, the original temple might have existed before the 6^th Century. The same was reconstructed as a stone Temple during the Chozha period and further extended during the Vijayanagaras period.  

Though the temple is very old, there are no inscriptions found in this temple to ascertain the age /antiquity of the temple.

LEGENDS

This temple is considered equivalent to the Madurai temple, since the presence of the Kadamba tree as sthala vruksham, Lord Shiva in this temple is called Sundarar, and Lord Shiva showed Madurai Thirumana Kolam / Marriage posture,  to Devasharma. Maha Vishnu, Lord Muruga, Brahma, Saptamatrikas, Deva Sharma, Kannuva Muni, and Agasthiyar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.  

As per the Legend, Ma Durga had a fierce fight with the demon Doomalochana. Since he was very strong, Lord Shiva sent all the Saptamatrikas to fight against him. Couldn’t face the Saptamatrikas, he ran out of the battlefield and hid in Kathyayana Maharishi’s ashram. Saptamatrikas mistook Kathyayana Maharishi as a demon, killed him. Due to this, the Saptamatrikas incurred the Brahmahathi dosha. To get rid of the dosha, they visited many temples and finally reached this temple.  They prayed to Lord Shiva to relieve them from the dosha. Lord Shiva blessed them and relieved them from the sin. Lord Shiva is believed to be the protector of the Saptamatrikas. It is also believed that Chamundi is considered a Durga. Rahu kala pooja is done for both Durga and Lord Shiva. Remembering the protection of Lord Shiva extended to Saptamatrikas, Lord Shiva and Ma Parvati visit the river Kaveri. During that occasion, Urchavars of 7 Shiva temples around this place will also participate in Theerthavari. It will be a rare opportunity for the Devotees to have the darshan of all 8 temples Urchavars simultaneously.

Paramanathar is the guarding deity of this temple. The right hand is in the saluting posture. Devotees perform abhishek with honey, offer porridge made of Pasi corn, and pray to protect their houses also.

In another legend, Somugasuran stole all 4 Vedas and hid deep in the ocean. Maha Vishnu came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva before getting back the 4 Vedas. With the blessings of Lord Shiva, Maha Vishnu took the Macha avathara and retrieved the 4 Vedas after killing Somugan.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on 13 days Brahmotsavam in the month Masi (Feb – March), Thai Poosam in the month Thai (Jan – Feb), Vaikasi Visakam in the month Vaikasi (May–June), Skanda Sashti in the month Aippasi (October–November), Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni (March–April), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi (Feb–March), and monthly pradosham.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline number +91 4323 225 228 may be contacted for further details.

Temple Website: http://www.kadambartemple.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH : 

Town buses are available from the Chatram bus stand. Buses from Tiruchirapalli to Karur, Namakkal, and Manaparai pass through Kulithalai.

The temple is 9 km from Iyermalai/Ayyarmalai, 18.1 km from Thirupparaithurai, 41 km from Tiruchirapalli & Karur, 93 km from Thanjavur, and 355 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Kulithalai.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Maha Vishnu Stucco image 

Temple Car

Temple car wooden sculptures 

Temple car wooden sculptures 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Rathnagiriswarar Temple / Vaatpokki Ratnagiriswarar Temple / ரத்தினகிரீஸ்வரர் மலைக்கோயில், அய்யர் மலை / Iyermalai / Ayyar Malai, Karur District, Tamil Nadu

This is the 118^th  Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 1^st Sthalam on the south bank of the river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. This place was called Thiru Vatpokki and is now called Iyermalai/Ayyar Malai. Lord Shiva blesses this temple, called Iyermalai. It is believed that it will be auspicious to worship "Morning Kadambar at Kulithalai, after noon Rathnagiriswarar at Thiruvatpokki (Iyermalai), and Evening Sri Maragadachaleswarar at Thiru Engoyi malai". 

  

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar Visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Venjamangudalur of Kongu Nadu. (மாணிக்க வெற்பு – இரத்தினகிரி – ஐயர் மலை – Iyermalai)

செல்வக் கருவூர்த்திரு ஆனிலைக்கோயில் சென்று இறைஞ்சி

நல்இசைவண் தமிழ்ச் சொல்தொடை பாடி அந்நாடு அகன்று

மல்லிக மாணிக்க வெற்புமுதல் ஆவணங்கி வந்து

பங்கு திரைப்பொன்னித் தென்கரைத்தானம் பலபணிவார்

In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar also records that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of  Thirukadampathurai. But he didn’t mention this temple in particular.

சிலந்திக்கு அருளும் கழல்வணங்கக் செஞ்சொல் மாலை பலபாடி

இலங்கு சடையார் எறும்பியூர் மாலையும் இறைஞ்சிப் பாடியபின்

மலர்ந்த சோதித் திருச்சிராப் பள்ளி மலையும் கற்குடியும்

நலங்கொள் செல்வத் திருப்பராய்த் துறையும் தொழுவான் நண்ணினார்

……… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. In that, Thirugnanasambandar’s hymns are not available. Arunagirinathar also praises both Murugan and Lord Shiva. He praises Lord Shiva as “Oppila Manickavasa..” in his Thirupukazh.

கால பாசம் பிடித்தெழு தூதுவர்

பால கர்விருத் தர்பழை யார் எனார்

ஆல நீழல் அமர்ந்த வாட்போக்கியார்

சீலம் ஆர்ந்தவர் செம்மையுள் நிற்பரே

………. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

பக்தியால் யானுனைப்          பலகாலும்

        பற்றியே மாதிருப்            புகழ்பாடி

முத்தனா மாறெனப்               பெருவாழ்வின்

        முத்தியே சேர்வதற்         கருள்வாயே

உத்தமதானசற்                         குணர்நேயா

        ஒப்பிலாமாமணிக்          கிரிவாசா

வித்தகாஞானசத்                     திநிபாதா

        வெற்றிவேலாயுதப்         பெருமாளே 

……… அருணகிரிநாதர் திருப்புகழ்

                                                        ---“ஓங்காது

நாட்போக்கி நிற்கும் நவையுடையார் நாடரிதாம்

வாட்போக்கி மேவுகின்ற வள்ளலே.

…….. திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Rathnagiriswarar, Sri Arathanachaleswarar,

                  Sri Manicka Easar, Sri Mudi Thazhumbar.

Consort    : Sri Surumbar Kuzhali..

Some of the important features of this temple are...

An entrance arch is at the base of the hill, and the hill is 342 meters (1178 feet) high. At the foothills, sannadhi for Vinayagar, Karuppasamy, Nalvar, and  Vishwakarma Ganapathy are in a big mandapam. On the way up the hill, the Ponnidum Paarai, where Sage Sundarar got the gold from Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Padam at Ponnidum Paarai belongs to Lord Shiva.

 

Ponnidumparai

Saptamatrikas are in the middle of the hill. There are many small mandapas to take rest on the hill. At the end of the steep steps, Sannadhi for Vinayagar. 

 

Saptamatrikas

There are 1017 neatly and evenly paved steps to reach the top of the hill. Monkey menace is too high in this hill shrine. There are many natural caves on this hill, and it is believed that Rishis are in penance. 

Vinayagar and Ambal Surumbar Kuzhali Amman sannathis after 750 steps called “Ukanthan Padi”

The temple was built on the rocky hill facing west. Moolavar is of Swayambhu. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, and Arthanareeswarar in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. There is a tub in front of Moolavar Sannadhi.

In the praharam, Natarajar Sabha with Sivakami, Chandran, and Suryan are along with their wives. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple might have existed before the  6^th to 7^th Century and was reconstructed as a stone temple during the Kulothunga Chozha-II period and further maintained/extended by Pandyas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagaras. About 50 inscriptions are inscribed  on the walls and the adhistana of  Moolavar and Ambal Sannadhis.

The Inscriptions belong to Chozha Kings Parakesari Varman Rajendran-II (1053–1063 CE), Kulothunga Chozha-I, Vikrama Chozha, and Rajathi Rajan-II. Kulothunga Chozha-III and Rajarajan-III, Pandya King Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan-I, Vijayanagara Dynasty Ariyanna Udayar’s Son Viruppanna Udayar-II, Veera Narasimha boopala Maharayar, Sadasivadeva Maharayar, and Hoysala Kings Veera Someswaran, Veera Ramanathan. (See the Annual Reports on South Indian Epigraphy for the year 1914, No. 144-191)

As per the inscriptions, Lord Shiva was called Manickamalai Mahadevar, Manickamalai Udaya Nayanar, and Thirumanickamalai Udaya  Thambiranar. Established by Sivapatdasekarapura Merchant Thirugnanasambanda Nambi. Ambal was called Thirukamakottamudaya Periya Nachiyar.  Palliyarai Nachiyar was established by Vada Kongu Rajarajapuram Pukazhur Damodaran, alias Pillaikadiyar. 

Dakshinamurthy was established, and Steps were built by Sivapada Sekarapuram, a merchant, and Chitrambalamudayan Kal Nallisaialan. An inscription in the form of a song records that the Sanctum was built with stone by Adavidanga Pichan. Mandapa was built by the Sivapadasekaraththu Nagarathars.

Sathan Sethirayan’s one of the Akampadi Mudali called Kongaraikonda Pallavarayan, fixed the doors for the mandapa and steps for the same.  He also built the Thirumadaivilakam at the base of the Hill.

Established endowments for the Vaikasi month festival, Margazhi Thiruvathirai, Maha Shivaratri, to bring water from Kaveri for Lord Shiva’s Thirumanjanam, Naivedyam for Urchavars on festival days at Mandapam. For Naivedyam Sivapada Sekaranallur, Nallur Udayan gave donations. For Naivedyam to Dakshinamurthy, Sivapada Sekarapuram merchant gave a gift of 2 ma of Land.

Kulothunga-I’s 40^th reign year inscription records the endowment feeding food for the Devaradiyars, Siva Yogi, Thabasis at Ezhunootruvan Thirumadam, by Vad Kongu Rajarajapuram Pukazhur, Damodaran alias Pillaikadiyan, for which donations were made.

Chozha King Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 47^th reign year inscription records the endowment of feeding food for the Apoorvis, and the same donation was also made.  

The Kaveri river water is taken daily for Lord Shiva’s Abhishekam, and the same was brought by “Pannirandam Chettiar- பன்னிரண்டாம் செட்டியார்” and Chozhiya Vellalars. The  Temple car, Vahanas, and Jewels are under the control of these Chettiars. As per the Madras district Gazetteer of 1907, Trichinopoly  1931, Page 281, 284, and 285, 11 Chettiars of Kaveripoompattinam came to this temple and shared their wealth. Each time they share, it has come in 12 parts. Realizing the 12^th part belongs to Lord Shiva of this temple, they gave it to the temple. By doing so, they become the relatives / pangalis – பங்காளிகள் of Lord Shiva. Hence, they were called 12- Chettiars – Pannirendam Chettiars. This was mentioned in the Vatpokki Kalambakam and Ratnagiri Uzha. 

As per the inscriptions, this hill was used by the Jain monks, and Jain beds were also created for them.  

Ref: 

1. South Indian Epigraphy for the year 1914 

2. Madras district Gazetteer of 1907, Trichinopoly  1931, Page 281, 284, and 285.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 17^th Feb 2008.

 

Chozha period Inscriptions

LEGENDS

It is believed that Indra, Jayanthan, Vayu, Adhiseshan, and Panchapandavas, during their exile, and Agasthiyar on the way to Podhigai Hills, worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. Now it is called Iyermalai/Ayyarmalai, Rathnagiri, and Sivayamalai. Agasthiar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple at Noon time, hence worshiping during noon time is believed to be auspicious and called Manicka Sundarar.

It is believed that Indran used to come and worship Lord Shiva through 9 holes, on the opposite side of the moolavar in the form of thunder & lightning once in 12 years (?). To prove that the garland and vastharam of moolavar were seen burnt on the next day, even in these years. The Abhisheka milk will turn into curd.

The moolavar's head looks chopped, and a scar can be seen on the top. The legend goes like this….. Lord Shiva made the Crown studded with the Manickam / ruby stone of an Arya King. He searched and couldn’t find the same. When he came to know that the crown was with Lord Shiva of this temple. So he came to this temple and prayed to Lord Shiva.   Lord Shiva promised to give back the Crown after the king filled the tub with Kaveri water. When he couldn’t do it, he threw the sword, which hit the Shiva Linga, and the flood gushed out. The King felt guilty and tried to kill himself by hitting his head on the wall. Lord Shiva appeared and blessed him with his crown.  Since Lord Shiva made the sword disappear, this place was called Thiruvatpokki. There is a tub, still, in the name of “Poivasi kopparai,” and the King’s idol is in this temple. Since a King worshiped Lord Shiva, Lord Shiva is also called “Raja Lingaa Moorthy”.

 
In one of the legends, Adhiseshan and Vayu used to fight with each other, claiming each one to be the greatest and strongest. This time, Adiseshan holds Meru Hill. Vayu blew the hill but couldn’t do so; some pieces were blown out from Mount Meru. This hill is one of the peaks called Rathnagiri.

 
As per hearsay, a shepherd went with a milk pot for Lord Shiva’s abhishekam, and a crow toppled the milk pot. It is believed that the crow was burnt by Lord Shiva, hence there won’t fly any crows on this hill and called “Kakam anukaa malai- காகம் அனுகா மலை”---  and as per Nagapattinam Thalapurana “காகம் மேவுறில் கடுந்தழல் வீசிடும் பரம்பு”.

When Sundarar came to this temple, the hill was visible to him like Jyothi and Rathnam. So he stopped climbing the hill further from Ponnidumparai.  Sundarar prayed to Lord Shiva, requesting him for Gold. Lord Shiva asked his Bhootaganas to shower the gold on this place, and Lord Shiv gave darshan at the “Onru pathi” place. In remembrance of this, the 5^th day of the Chithra festival is celebrated at this place. Hence, this place is called “Ponnidum Parai”.     

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from Regular Poojas,  special poojas are conducted over 10 10-day festivals that start on Hastha nakshatra day in the month Chithirai (April–May),  Somavarams (Mondays) in the month Karthigai (Nov–Dec), Thaipoosam and Theerthavari in the month Thai (February), Pournami (Full Moon Days), Amavasai (New Moon Days), and Pradosham. On Pournami days, devotees circumambulate the hill, called Girivalam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS 

The temple will be kept open from 10.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs, since it is a hill temple, Gurukkal used to stay in the temple itself, during the above time.

CONTACT DETAILS : 

Gurukkal Mani's mobile number, +91 9965273092 may be contacted for darshan and further details.

The temple office may be contacted over the phone at 04323 245 522 for further details.

Temple website: http://www.ayyarmalai.tnhrce.in/

Another website: http://www.ayyarmalai.in/

Email: eoayyarmalai@gmail.com

HOW TO REACH

From the Kulithalai Kaveri river bridge junction, all the buses going towards Manapparai pass through this hill.

The temple is 10 km from Kulithalai, 33 km from Manapparai, 41 km from Karur, 43 km from Tiruchirappalli, and 362 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway station is Kulithalai,

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Three-pillar Mandapa

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---