10. SRI KAALAIAPPAR TEMPLE TIRUKKAANAPPER (KAALAYAR KOVIL)

Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam	254th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam)
Region	Pandiya Naadu
Pandiya Naadu	10th Shiva Sthalam
Pathigam	Saint Thirugnanasambanthar and Saint Sundaramurthy (Sundarar)

HISTORY:

Kaalaiyar Koyil is a highly revered Shivastalam in Pandya Naadu. There are three shrines in this temple  associated with the three functions of creation, preservation and completion.  This shrine  is regarded as the 10th of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of Tamilnadu.

Sundaramoorthy Nayanaar and Varaguna Pandyan are associated with this temple. Maruda Pandyar of the Sivagangai Samastanam (Kingdom) has contributed immensely to the maintenance of this temple. The British threatened to destroy this temple, in order to force the Marudu Brothers (rulers) who were devoted to this temple to surrender. The tombs of the  brothers who were executed later on are seen near the temple.

Parvati is said to have been cursed to attain the form of the dark Kali; she is said to have killed the demon Chandasuran (at Marudavanam) and gotten relieved from the curse. Shiva is then said to have married her here and taken on the name Kaaleesar. 

SALIENT FEATURE:

·        A lofty Rajagopuram (150 feet) and an imposing Teppakkulam tank (with a mandapam) named Aanai madu adorn this shrine.

·        Airavatam the elephant of Indra is said to have created this tank. 

TEMPLE INFORMATION:

Moolavar	Sri Kaalaiyeesar, Sri Sundareswarar
Ambal	Sri Meenakshi
Theertham	Saraswathi, Gowri, Rudra, Lakshmi, Sutharshana Theertham
Sthala Vriksham	Kooku Manthirai

BELIEF:

Praying lord here gives more wealth.

TEMPLE FESTIVAL:

Tamil Month	English Month	Festival Name
Vaikasi	May-June	Someswarar's Bhrammotsavam
Aadi	July-Aug	Aadi Pooram(Swarnavalli amman)
Avani	Aug-Sept	Vinayakar Chaturthi
Purattasi	Sep-Oct	Navarathri
Thai	Jan-Feb	Kaaleesar's festival
Maasi	Feb-Mar	Maha Shivrathri

HOW TO REACH:

This temple at Kalayarkovil is located 20 Kms from Sivagangai on the Sivagangai - Thondi road and is about 37 Kms. from Karaikudi. The railway station at Sivagangai is on the Karaikudi - Manamadurai section of the Southern Railway. Bus facilities from Madurai, Sivagangai, Karaikudi, Thiruvadanai and Devakottai are available to go to Kaalayar Kovil.

TEMPLE ADDRESS:

Sri Kaaleeswarar Temple,
Kaalayar Kovil,
Sivagangai,
Tamil Nadu – 613202.

LOCATION: