Karaikal Kalyanasundereswarar Temple

Address

Karaikal Kalyanasundereswarar Temple

Karaikal circle,

Karaikal District,  

Tamil Nadu 609602      

Moolavar

Kalyanasundereswarar

Amman

Soundaravalli

Introduction               

• Location: Karaikal circle, Karaikal district, Tamil Nadu, India
• Address: Located on Sub-jail Road, on the north bank of the Arsalar River, Karaikal
• Deities:
  • Lord Shiva as Kalyanasundereswarar
  • Goddess as Soundaravalli
• Temple Layout: A small temple, yet one of the most famous temples in Karaikal.

Puranic Significance

• The temple is believed to be over 1000 years old, although the current structure is newly constructed.
• The temple is dedicated to Kalyanasundereswarar, a form of Lord Shiva, and his consort Soundaravalli.
• The temple is known for its decorative archway and small yet significant design that is visited by numerous devotees.

Architectural Features

• Flagpole: Upon entering the temple, there is a tall flagpole symbolizing the temple’s sanctity.
• Nandi: A Nandi (the bull) faces the sanctum of Lord Kalyanasundereswarar, the presiding deity.
• Kodimara Vinayak: A unique idol of Vinayaka (Ganesha) is located near the entrance.
• Sanctums:
  • Lord Kalyanasundereswarar’s Sanctum: Located to the west of the temple.
  • Goddess Soundaravalli’s Sanctum: Situated to the south of Lord Shiva’s sanctum.
• Mandapam: A mandapam (hall) connects the sanctums of Kalyanasundereswarar and Soundaravalli, making it a central space for worship.
• Vinayaka and Murugan Shrines:
  • A shrine for Vinayaka is positioned to the south of the mandapam.
  • Murugan (Kartikeya) is placed to the north.
• Karurai: The outer area contains statues of Durgai, Brahman Lingodbhava, and Vinayagar in a special arrangement.
• Ayyappan Shrine: In the south-west corner of the temple, there is a shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, facing east.
• Navagraha and Naga Idols: In the north-east section, you will find idols of the Navagraha (Nine Planets) and Nagas (Serpent Gods).

Spiritual Significance

• The temple is revered for its connection to marriage-related blessings. It is believed that worshipping Kalyanasundereswarar helps in getting married easily, making it a popular temple for devotees seeking blessings for early marriage.
• The temple’s position at the junction of Bhairav and Surya (Sun) is considered highly auspicious, contributing to the temple’s spiritual potency.

Key Features

• Ancient History: The temple is said to be more than 1000 years old, with historical roots deep in the Chola period.
• Marriage Blessings: Known as a place where devotees can pray for a swift and successful marriage.
• Vibrant Shrines: The presence of shrines dedicated to various deities like Ayyappan, Navagrahas, Murugan, and Vinayaka adds to the spiritual richness of the temple.

Century/Period

1000 years old

Nearest Bus Station

Karaikal

Nearest Railway Station

Karaikal

Nearest Airport

Puducherry

Location on Map

lightuptemple