Karaipoondi Karaikandeswarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai

Address

Karaipoondi Karaikandeswarar Temple,Thiruvannamalai
Karaipoondi, Polur Taluk,
Thiruvannamalai District – 606 803
Mobile: +91 94440 34735 / 95853 03925

Moolavar

Karaikandeswarar

Amman

Balasundari

Introduction

Karaikandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Karaipoondi
Village in Polur Taluk in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is called as
Karaikandeswarar and Mother is called as Balasundari. This Temple is considered as one the
Saptha Kailaya Sthalams established and worshipped by Lord Muruga on the southern bank of
river Cheyyar.

Puranic Significance 

Cholas, Sambuvarayars, Vijayanagara Kings had done lot of renovations to this Temple.

Equivalent to Kasi:
River Cheyyar is flowing towards North and hence considered equivalent to Kasi.
Karaipoondi:
The Temple is located on the southern banks of Cheyyar and hence the place is called as
Karaipoondi.

There is an entrance arch facing south. The entrance has stucco images of Rishabaroodar in a
Mandapam, Ganesha and Murugan. Stucco images of Nandhi can be found along the Temple
walls. Presiding Deity is called as Karaikandeswarar and Mother is called as Balasundari. Both
the presiding deity and Mother are housed in separate shrines and are facing east. Vinayagar,
Dhakshinamoorthy, Mahavishnu and Durga are the Koshta idols located around the sanctum
walls.

Shrines for Surya and Chandran can be found opposite to the sanctum. Lord Vinayaga and
Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Deivanai can be found at the entrance of the
sanctum. Sthala Vriksham is Vilwam Tree. There is a shrine for Anjaneya situated near this
Temple. This Anjaneya Idol is believed to be installed by Vyasaraja.

References:

Century/Period

1500 Years old

Nearest Bus Station

Polur

Nearest Railway Station

Thiruvannamalai Railway Station

Nearest Airport

Chennai

Location on Map

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