Thirukalur Sri Kalarmulainatheswarar Temple, Thiruvarur

Address

Thirukalur Sri Kalarmulainatheswarar Temple, Thirukalur, Tiruvarur District,Phone Numbers: +91- 4367 – 279 374

Diety

Parijathavaneswarar, Kalarmulai Natheswarar Amman: Amirthavalli, Ilankombannal

Introduction

The temple got its name because there was no temple in Kallar. The temple is located in the middle of the town, which is the 105th head of the Cauvery South. In front of the temple is a large Tirukkulam with four staircases on each side. The 80-foot-tall royal tower has 5 levels. The tower has beautiful sculptures. The house has three branches. There is an Ashtabhuja Durga Chair sitting on a limo around the Amman Sanctuary. The Valamburi Ganesha Foundation, Durvasar Foundation, Viswanathan, Kajalakshmi and 63 Nayanam sons are also present in the temple. Durvasa tirtha, Jnana tirtha, Brahma tirtha and Rudra tirtha are the tirthas of this world.The Cholas have taken the eight inscriptions, two of the Pandyas and three of Vijaya’s cities. Thala Virutcham : Parijatham Theertham : Durvasa, Gnana, Brahmma, Rudra theerthas

Puranic Significance

Sage Durvasa performed severe penance in this place seeking the Ananda Thandava darshan of Lord which He granted to sages Vyakrapada and Patanjali. He brought the rare Parijatha flowers from the celestial world and made this place dense with these trees. He also made a Shiva Linga and installed it under the Parijatha tree and created a spring. He built the temple with the divine sculptor. Hence the place has names as Parijatha Vanam, Tharu Vanam, Karpaga Vanam according to scriptures. Pleased with his penance, Lord granted the Brahmma Thandava darshan to the sage. Kalari in Tamil also means dance. Hence the name Kalari which later changed as Tirukalar. Lord also is praised as Kalarmulai Nathar.

Beliefs

It is the faith of the devotees that if one prays to Lord here, it will ensure the salvation of all members of his/her family. Those afflicted by adverse aspects of Ketu-serpent planet- pray here for relief Devotees perform abishek to Lord and offer vastras

Special Features

80 feet tall Rajagopuram is facing east. Lord and Mother are blessing the devotees from their respective shrines. There are shrines for Lords Valampuri Vinayaka, Viswanatha, Somaskanda, Chandrasekhara, Dakshinamurthy, Muruga and Chandikeswara, and Mothers Gajalakshmi, Durga, Mahalakshmi, 63 Saivite Nayanmars and Sage Agasthya. Mother Ashtabuja Durga appears majestically in sitting form on the Lion vahan. Lord Akora Veerabadra is facing west in a separate shrine. Lord Subramanya taught the Panchakshara Mantra (mantra of five letters – Na, Ma, Shi, Va, Yah) to 60,000 sages and Sage Durvasa in this place only. Valli and Deivanai are not with Lord Subramanya as He graces in the temple as a teacher-Guru. Lord Shiva performed His Ananda dance in Chidambaram and Perur, Aajaba in Tiruvarur, Gnana Sundara in Madurai, Oordhva in Avinashi, and Brahmma Thandava in Tirumuruganpoondi. Here too, Lord granted the Brahmma Thandava Darshan to Sage Durvasa which is depicted in the temple. Sage Durvasa appears with folded hands in a worshipping form. According to scriptures, Durvasa performed the first consecration of the temple. The Jeeva Samadhi-monument of Kovilur pontiff, His Holiness Veerasekhara Gnana Desika Swami is near the temple. Swamiji had rendered many renovations to the temple. He is praised as Tirukalar Andavan. Sage Parasara and Kalava had worshipped in this temple. It is believed that the prayer of one in the temple of a family will ensure the salvation of all members. Those under adverse aspects of the serpent planet Ketu pray here for relief

Festivals

Chithirai festival on Chitra star day in April-May; Vaikasi Visakam in May-June; Navarathri in September-October; Skanda Sashti in October-November; Margazhi Sashti, Arudra Darshan and Nama Shivaya Panchakshara Mantra initiation on Sadayam Star day ( 3 festivals) in December-January are the festivals celebrated in the temple