Kalyana Pasupateeswarar, Karur, Karur

Basic information about the temple

Moolavar:	Kalyana Pasupateeswarar	Ambal / Thayar:	Krupanayaki, Soundarya Nayaki
Deity:	Siva	Historical name:	Tirukkaruvoor Aanilai
Vriksham:	Vilvam	Teertham:	Brahma Teertham, Amaravai river
Agamam:		Age (years):
Timing:	6 to 12.30 & 4 to 9	Parikaram:
Temple group:	Paadal Petra Sthalam (Kongu Nadu)	–
Sung by:	Sambandar	Temple set:
Navagraham:		Nakshatram:
City / town:	Karur	District:	Karur
Maps from (click):	Current location	Karur (1 km)	Namakkal (39 km)
	Erode (70 km)	Dindigul (85 km)

Location

Karur is located 33km from Namakkal and 82 km from Trichy.

Sthala puranam and temple information

As he was entrusted with creation, Brahma‘s ego grew, and so the responsibility of creation was given to Kamadhenu. As advised by Narada, Kamadhenu came to the Vanji forest (Vanji is a type of tree) and located a Lingam under an anthill. She would worship by pouring her milk over the Lingam. On one occasion, she tripped and her hoof hit the Lingam, due to which the Lingam started bleeding. She begged for forgiveness, and Lord Siva appeared there and pacified her. Since Kamadhenu (a cow, also called Aa in Tamil) came here, she and the place got the name Aanilai, and Lord Siva is known as Pasu-pati-easwarar. The Lingam is said to have a mark of Kamadhenu’s hoof. Brahma also realised his mistake, and prayed for pardon, which he received, along with the responsibility for creation.

Vadivudaiyal was the daughter of a local chieftain, and a staunch devotee of Lord Siva, who wanted to get married to the Lord, much to the annoyance of her parents. A pleased Siva appeared in her parents’ dream and told them that He would marry her on a specified date, and there would be a rain of flowers in the village. As foretold, this happened on the 7^th day of Panguni (March-April) on Uthiram nakshatram, and a celestial garland fell on Vadivudaiyal. She was taken to the temple, where she merged with Soundaranayaki Amman.

Karur (or Karuvur, in earlier times) is the avatara sthalam of Eripatha Nayanar, as well as of Karuvur Thevar – one of the authors of Tiruvisaippaa which along with the Tiruppallaandu, forms the 9^th part of the Tirumurai. Karuvur was also, at one time, part of the territory ruled by Pugazh Chola (whose capital was at Uraiyur), another of the 63 Nayanmars.

The Lord here has two consorts – Soundaranayaki and Kripanayaki – representing the Ichcha Shakti and Kriya Shakti respectively.

Karuvur Thevar (or Karuvur Siddhar or Karuvurar) used to stay in the temple and sing in praise of the Lord here. It is believed that the Lord tilted to one side to listen to the songs of Karuvurar. The local brahmins accused him of meat and alcohol to the Lord. After investigations, it was proved that this was false, but the antagonism against Karuvurar continued. Unable to bear it, he sought succour and merged with Siva here.

Arunagirinthar has sung about Murugan here, in the Tiruppugazh.

It is believed that the earliest temple here was constructed by Muchukunda Chakravarti. Murtis of Eripatha Nayanar, Pugazh Chola Nayanar, Sambandar and Muchukunda Chakravarti are seen near the dwajasthambam.

In later times, this area was ruled by the Cheras, before the Kongu Cholas took over (from the early 11^th century). Later additions to the temple have been made by the Kongu Pandyas and the Vijayanagara dynasty. Inscriptions at this temple and in the region refer to the reign of Rajendra Chola II (who gifted land to the temple), Kulothunga Chola III (granting tax exemptions), and the Pandya rule.

The combined influence of the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas on the temple is significant and very obvious in the various splendid expositions of art and architecture at this temple, particularly the Chola art elements. The rajagopuram is also not to be missed, for the detailed artistry and depictions of various tales from the puranams.

Other information for your visit

This temple is massive, spread over a vast area and also has a lot of shrines and deities. Visitors and devotees should accordingly schedule sufficient time for this temple.

On the outskirts of Karur is Thanthondimalai, site of the Kalyana Venkataramana Perumal temple. About 21 km south of Karur is Venjamakudalur, where there is the Paadal Petra Sthalam temple for Kalyana Vikriteswarar. This temple is otherwise out of the way, ie not near any other prominent temples, so it is best to visit when visiting Karur.

There are important temples, including Paadal Petra Sthalam temples, on the highway from Karur to Trichy (refer temples map).

Karur has some budget and mid-range accommodation. When we visited, our overnight halt was at Erode, and we visited Karur after going to Avinashi, Tirumuruganpoondi and Kodumudi.