Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 265th Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Kongu Naadu |
Kongu Naadu | 7th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar |
HISTORY:
Karur
has the reputation of being the birthplace of Karuvurar Siddhar, (also called
Karuvur Devar), one of the 18 famous Siddhars of South India. Karuvurar Siddhar
has praised the Lord in his hymns “Thiruvisaippa”, which forms a part of the
9th Thirumurai. This Siddhar’s life forms an important part of this
temple’s legacy. The story goes that some Brahmins complained against Karuvurar
Siddhar to the king that the Siddhar was following the Vama Margam - offering
wine and meat to the Lord. Upon enquiry it was revealed that this complaint was
baseless and the king punished the complainants. However, unable to bear the
continual harassment, he ran towards the shrine, embraced and became unified
with the Lord Ahnilaiyappar. Because of his embracement, the Lingam is found in
a slanting position. Inside the temple, there is a Jeeva Samathi of Karuvurar
Siddhar. The temple was constructed during the Chola period. Karur is said to
be one of the five capitals of Chola kingdom. 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.
Lord Brahma and Kamadenu:
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).
Emperor Musukunda:
Emperor
Musukunda, belonging to the Skanda Mahapurana period, is believed to have
undertaken renovation of this temple. According to the history of this place,
Emperor Musukunda was extended an invitation to attend the wedding of Lord
Murugan with Deivanai that took place in Thiruparankundram near Madurai.
Eripatha Nayanar:
Eripatha
Nayanar, a staunch worshipper of Lord Pasupatheesvarar, had dedicated his life
towards protection and welfare of other Shiva devotees. He would always
carry a weapon - an axe, for this purpose. With the axe he would punish anyone
trying to harm the devotees. During the same time, another Shiva devotee,
Sivakami Andar also lived in this place. It is believed that every day Sivakami
Andar would collect flowers, make garlands and give them an offerring to the
Lord.
Once,
on a Navami day, as Sivakami Andar was going to the temple with a basket of
flowers to give his offering, the king’s elephant wrenched the basket from him,
threw it on the ground and ran away. Realizing that the elephant had destroyed
the flowers he had kept for the worship of the Lord, Sivakami Andar started
crying.
Eripatha
Nayanar happened to pass that way and heard Sivakami Andar’s pitiable cry.
Upon enquiring what was happened, Eripatha Nayanar became furious that an
elephant had caused an aged Shiva devotee such distress. He ran and overtook
the elephant, hurled his powerful axe and killed it. He also killed the Mahouts
because he felt that the Mohouts should have controlled the elephant but failed
to do so.
On
hearing the news of the death of his elephant, King Pugazh Cholan reached the
spot with his soldiers. Upon further enquiry he was informed that Eripatha
Nayanar had killed the elephant and Mahouts because of the distress that it had
caused to another Shiva devotee. Since the king himself was a staunch Shiva
devotee, rather than getting angry he felt ashamed that his elephant and the
Mahouts had caused “Shiva Aparadham”.
He
surrendered to Eripathar and requested him to kill him with his own sword as he
deemed himself responsible for the actions of his elephant. Eripathar was
stunned to hear these words and was moved by the King’s devotion to the Lord.
Fearing that he might have caused distress to the King - another Shiva devotee,
Eripathar wanted to punish himself and he began to cut his own throat. The king
became alarmed. Realizing that he might become guilty of another offence, the
King grabbed the sword and stopped Eripathar.
It
is believed that at this point God’s voice was heard saying that this saga had
unfolded because he wanted the world to know Eripathar’s sincere and faithful
service. Immediately, the elephant and the Mahouts got up, as if from sleep and
Sivakami Andar’s flower basket became full.
Soundarya Nayaki:
This
story associated with Karur is that of the second consort of Lord Shiva -
Soundarya Nayaki (also called Vadivudaiyal). It is said that Vadivudaiyal who
was born in a place called Appipalayam (near Karur), was devoted to Lord
Pasupatheeswarar and wanted to marry him. She worshiped the Lord faithfully and
observed all religious injunctions. Her parents were worried as they could not
dissuade her from what they felt was a foolish dream. However, Lord Shiva
assured them in their dream that he would marry their daughter on the seventh
day of the next Panguni Uthiram festival. This would be indicated through a
floral shower over the entire village.
Vadivudaiyal
was meditating when the whole village witnessed the downpour of flowers, and a
glowing garland bedecked her. She was taken to Pasupatheeswarar temple where
she merged with the Lord and re-christened as Soundarya Nayaki. To this
date, the procession idol of Lord Pasupatheeswarar is taken to Appipalayam, on
the sixth day in the month of Panguni and is brought back on the seventh day
along with the idol of Soundarya Nayaki.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
The temple is
very big - its main Tower (Rajagopuram) is 120 feet high with 7-tiers
·
The
architectural marvel of this place is such that on 14th, 15th and
16th days of the Tamil month of Panguni (March-April), sun rays fall
directly on the idol of Lord Shiva.
·
Lord Brahma is
believed to be the first ever devotee to worship Lord Shiva in this temple.
·
This temple is
renowned for its three splendours - Moorthy (The Presiding Deity), Sthalam
(Place of divinity) and Theertham (The Holy Water).
·
There is a 100
pillar Hall (Mandapam) in front of the shrine and is called Pugazh Chozhar
Mandapam.
·
Saint
Arunagirinadhar has also sang 7 songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple
in his revered Thirupugazh.
·
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.
·
There are two
separate shrines for Ambal. One is for Sri Alankara Nayaki and the other one
for Sri Soundarya Nayaki. While Alankara Nayaki is a symbol of ‘kriya sakti,’
Soundarya Nayaki represents ‘itcha sakti.
·
the Sthala
Vriksham is said to be Vanji, only Vilva trees can be seen now.
·
Jupiter and Saturn transition days and
New Moon days are also important festivals celebrated in this temple that draws
huge crowd.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar / |
|
Ambal |
Sri Soundyarya Nayaki (Vadivudaiyal), Sri Alangara
Nayaki |
|
Theertham |
Brahma Theertham, Thadaagai Theertham,
Ambiravathi-Amaravathi River |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vanji |
BELIEF:
Large
number of devotees comes to Lord Pasupatheeswarar temple to seek relief from
mental ailments and to pray for child and wedding boon, better employment
opportunity and for progress in trade / business.
TEMPLE
FESTIVAL:
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
13 day Panguni Uthiram Brahmotsavam |
|
Markazhi |
Dec-Jan |
Arudra
Dharisanam |
|
Car Festival
is so important in this temple |
||
HOW
TO REACH:
Karur
is very well connected by road from other major cities. Karur has a Railway
station on Trichy - Erode route. Around 80 kms from Trichy and 65 kms from
Erode. Nearest airport is at Trichy.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Kalyana
Pasupatheeswarar Temple,
Karur,
Tamil Nadu-639 001.
LOCATION:
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