Sri Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Karur

Address

Sri Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Karur District, Tamil Nadu-639 001. Telephone: +91 4324 262010

Diety

Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar, Amman: Soundyarya Nayaki

Introduction

This is one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and 7th Sthalam in Kongu Nadu. The temple is very big – its main Tower (Rajagopuram) is 120 feet high with 7-tiers and two corridors. This temple is facing the East. The Moolavar Lingam in the temple is a Swayambumurthi (self-manifested).This temple is renowned for its three splendours – Moorthy (The Presiding Deity), Sthalam (Place of divinity) and Theertham (The Holy Water). Lord Brahma is believed to be the first ever devotee to worship Lord Shiva in this temple. It is also believed that the divine bovine–goddess Kamadenu has worshipped Lord Shiva here. Its hoof mark is visible on the Lingam. The name Ahnilaiyappar is derived from “Ah” meaning cow (Kamadenu) and “nilai” meaning place. This is the birth place of Eripatha Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars. King Pugazh Cholan, who later became a Nayanar (one of the 63 Nayanmars) also belongs to this place.

Puranic Significance

The temple was constructed during the Chola period. Karur is said to be one of the five capitals of Chola kingdom. From the inscriptions, it can be inferred that this temple existed during the reign of the King Rajendra Cholan (1012-54 A.D.) and that he also gifted lands to this temple. It is believed that Lord Brahma became very proud of his position as the Creator of the world and Lord Shiva decided to teach him a lesson in humility. During the same time, Kamadenu was also looking to obtain Moksham so Lord Shiva instructed Sage Naradar to ask Kamadenu to go to earth and perform penance in a “Vanji” forest. (Vanji is a tree that is indigenous to the Indian sub-continent). Following these instructions, Kamadenu reached Karur, since it was at that time fully covered by Vanji trees. Kamadenu found that the lingam at this place was fully covered by an anthill. She cleared the anthill and started worshipping the Lord here. Incidentally when Kamadenu was performing abishekam, the hoof hit the lingam and that impression can still be seen on the lingam. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Shiva blessed her with Lord Brahma’s role – the power of creation. Lord Brahma realized his mistake and pleaded to Lord Shiva to forgive him. Lord Shiva forgave him and reinstated his position of the creator of the world. In recognition to Kamadenu’s dedication, Lord Shiva said that he would be worshipped as Pasupathi Nathar in Karur (Pasu meaning cow).

Special Features

The front Gopuram is 120 feet (37 m) in height. The presiding deity in the main shrine (Moolvar) is a swayambu lingam. He is called Pasupateeswarar or Aanilaiappar. There are two images of Ambal here, Sundaravalli and Alankaravalli. The shrine of female deity Sundaravalli is facing south. Images of mythological characters are found on the tower. There are 2 corridors inside the temple. The 100 pillar mandapam is a prominent portion of the temple. It is one of the shrines of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams. Sundarar and Sambandar composed Thevaram Pathigam in this temple. The temple is counted as one of the temples located in the southern bank of river Amaravati, a tributary of Cauvery.

Festivals

.The thirteen day “Panguni Uthiram” festival (Brahmotsavam) in the months of March-April and “Arudhra Darshanam” in the months of December-January are of most significance. Jupiter and Saturn transition days and New Moon days are also important festivals celebrated in this temple that draws huge crowd. Car (Ther) festival is also very popular here. Monthly “Pradosham” poojas are also observed here