FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010
Pugali Malai, Balasubramaniswamy Temple, Karur
Explore: 25th August,2009
The beautiful & very old(2500 years) hill temple for lord muruga is here.
It is in Kaveri river bank.
Velayuthampalayam is a town located in Karur District[1] in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It comes under the jurisdiction of Punjai Pugalur Town Panchayat. This town is situated on the footsteps of Arunattan Malai, which houses Lord Muruga. The river Cauvery is 3 kilometers away from the town.It is very close to TNPL Pugalur[2]. The adjacent places are TNPL pugalur, Thottakuritchi, Karappalayam and Paramathy-velur.
| Popular Places in Karur: | |
| Kalyana Venkattaramasami Temple:The Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple at Thanthoni, about five KM from Karur is one of the most popular temples in the district. The shrine of the Lord is situated on a raised portion of a hillock. The temple is also known as Then (south) Tirupathi. Pasupathieswarer Temple:Karur town is one of the seven sacred sthalams (place) of Sivalayams and is well known for famous Pasupathieswarer Temple. The group of sculptures representing Pasupathiswaralingam as high as five feet, bathed by the milk oozing from the rudder of a cow and Rangamatha are noted for sculptural beauty Other Temples:The temple in Pugalur situated north west of Karur dedicated to Lord Subramania on a small hill at Velayuthanpalayam near Cauvery is famous for excellent sculpture. Sri Mariamman Temple is a famous one, which is situated in the heart of the city. It is celebrated periodically during the month of May by all groups of people, irrespective of caste and creed,taking the �Kumbum� from the temple to the Amaravathi river is the glorius one. |  |
.Karur
One of the ancient cities in Tamil Nadu, Karur was ruled by the Cheras, Cholas, the Naickers, and the British successively. There is proof that Karur may have been the centre for old jewellery-making and gem setting (with the gold imported mainly from Rome), as seen from various excavations. According to the Hindu mythology, Brahma began the work of creation here, which is referred to as the "place of the sacred cow."
Karur has a very long history and has been sung by various sangam poets. In history, it has been the battleground of various Tamil Kings like Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallavas because of strategic location. The district has a very rich and varied cultural heritage. We provide travel & tours in India.
Karuvoor Thevar born in Karur is one among the nine devotees who sung the divine Music Thiruvichaippa, which is the ninth Thirumurai. He is the single largest composer among the nine authors of Thiruvichaippa. He lived during the reign of the great Raja Raja Chola-I. In addition to the famous Siva temple, there is a Vishnu temple at Thiruvithuvakkodu, a suburb of Karur, sung by famous Kulasekara Alwar [7-8th century AD] who was the ruler of Kongu nadu. The same temple is presumably mentioned in epic Silappadikaram as Adaha maadam Ranganathar whose blessings Cheran Senguttuvan sought before his north Indian expedition. We provide travel & tours in India.
Karur is one of the oldest towns in Tamil Nadu and has played a very significant role in the history and culture of the Tamils. Its history dates back over 2000 years, and has been a flourishing trading centre even in the early Sangam day. Epigraphical, numismatic, archaeological and literary evidences have proved beyond doubt that Karur was the capital of early Chera kings of Sangam age. It was called Karuvoor or Vanji during Sangam days. There has been a plethora of rare findings during the archaeological excavations undertaken in Karur. These include mat-designed pottery, bricks, mud-toys, Roman coins, Chera Coins, Pallava Coins, Roman Amphorae, Rasset coated ware, rare rings etc. Karur was built on the banks of river Amaravathi which was called Aanporunai during the Sangam days. We provide travel & tours in India.The names of the early Chera kings who ruled from Karur, have been found in the rock inscriptions in Aru Nattar Malai close to Karur. The Tamil epic Silapathikaram mentions that the famous Chera King Cheran Senguttuvan ruled from Karur. In 150 Greek scholars Ptolemy mentioned “Korevora” (Karur) as a very famous inland trading centre in Tamil Nadu. After the early Cheras, Karur was conquered and ruled by Pandyas followed by Pallavas and later Cholas. Karur was under the rule of Cholas for a long time. Later the Naickers followed by Tipu Sultan also ruled Karur. The British added Karur to their possessions after destroying the Karur Fort during their war against Tipu Sultan in 1783. There is a memorial at Rayanur near Karur for the warriors who lost their lives in the fight against the British in the Anglo-Mysore wars. Thereafter Karur became part of British India and was first part of Coimbatore District and later Tiruchirappalli District.
Karur is also a part of Kongunadu. The history of Kongunadu dates back to the 8th century. The name Kongunadu originated from the term "Kongu", meaning nectar or honey. Kongu came to be called as Kongunadu with the growth of civilization. The ancient Kongunadu country was made up of various districts and taluks which are currently known as Palani, Dharapuram, Karur, Nammakkal, Thiruchengodu, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Satyamangalam, Nilgiris, Avinashi, Coimbatore, Pollachi and Udumalpet. Kongunadu was blessed with enormous wealth, a pleasant climate and distinct features. Kongunadu was ruled over by the Chera, Chola, Pandya, Hoysala, Muslim rulers and finally the British. We provide travel & tours in India.
Temples of Karur District
The temples of Karur District are magnificent set of sculptures and architecture that not only reflect the religious domain of the district, but its artistic skills as well. Karur District of Tamil Nadu is surrounded by Namakkal District in the north, Dindigul District in the south, Tiruchirapalli District in the west and Erode District in the east. Since Karur was an ancient battleground, the temples of Karur District reflect the sculptures of brave warriors Indian packages with Indian Travel Agent.
The Kalyana Venkattaramasami Temple at Thanthoni and Pasupatheswarar Temple at Karur are the main tourist centers in this district. Kadambar Koil and Iyer Malai at Kulittalai, Mariamman Temple, Vennaimalai and Pasupatheswarar Temple at Karur and Venjamangudalur Temple at Venjamangudalur are some of the major temples of Karur District. Indian packages with Indian Travel Agent.
The Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple at Thanthoni is considered to be the main temple of Karur District. The shrine of the Lord is situated on a raised portion of a hillock and the temple is popular as the Tirupathi. Karur town is one of the seven sacred sthalams (place) of Sivalayams and is widely known for famous Pasupathieswarer Temple. Indian packages with Indian Travel Agent. The group of sculptures representing Pasupathiswaralingam as high as five feet is bathed by the milk oozing from the udder of a cow and Rangamatha are distinguished for sculptural beauty.
The temple in Pugalur is situated north west of Karur and dedicated to Lord Subramania on a small hill at Velayuthanpalayam near Cauvery is famous for superb sculpture. Sri Mariamman Temple is one of the famous temples of Karur District, which is situated in the heart of the city. The temple festivals are celebrated periodically during the month of May by all age gropus, irrespective of caste and creed, taking the `Kumbum` from the temple to the Amaravathi River is the glorious act for the pilgrim. Indian packages with Indian Travel Agent.
Shree Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar temple or the Thiru Aanilai, Karur Shree Abayapradhana Ranganathar temple, Karur Shree Karuvur Mariyamman temple, Karur Thanthondrimalai, Shree Kalyana Venkataramanaswamy temple, Vennaimalai Shree Balathandayuthapani temple, Attur Sholiyamman temple and Vangal Shree Vangalamman temple are some of the prominent temples of Karur District. Travel Tours India with Indian Travel Agent.
PLACES TO VISIT
Kalyana Venkattaramasami Temple
The Kalyana Venkattaramasami templ at Thanthoni, about five kilometres from Karur is one of the most popular temples in the district. The shrine of the Lord is situated on a raised portion of a hillock. This temple is also known as Then (south) Tirupathi. Travel Tours India with Indian Travel Agent.
Pasupatheeswarar Temple
Karur town is one of the seven sacred Sthalam (place) of Sivalayams and is well known for famous Pasupatheeswarar Temple. The group of sculptures representing Pasupathiswaralingam as high as five feet, bathed by the milk oozing from the rudder of a cow and Rangamatha are noted for sculptural beauty. Ensure a special holidays with us.
Other Temples
The temple in Pugalur situated north west of Karur dedicated to Lord Subramania on a small hill at Velayuthanpalayam near Cauvery is famous for excellent sculpture. Sri Mariamman Temple is a famous one, which, is situated in the, heart of the city. Ensure a special holidays with us.The festival celebrated during the month of May by all groups of people irrespective of caste and creed, taking the 'Kumbum’ from the temple to the Amaravathi river is a glorious event.
Sri Kalyana Pasupatheeswarar Temple – Karur
Presiding Deity: Anilaiappar
Reputation : Swayambu
Goddess : Alankaravalli
Other Goddess: Soundaranayaki
Muruga : Arumugam
Holy tree: Vanji
Holy spring : Thadaagai theertham
Place : Karur Scriptural name Karuvur
District : Karur
Prayer:
The devotee surrendering at the feet of Lord Anilayappar is blessed with a complete peace of mind. Those awaiting a marriage and longing for a progeny, in need of employment opportunity, development in business, promotion in job visit the temple and worship Anilayappar. It is the staunch belief of the devotees that the Lord would never fail his Bhaktas.
Prayer commitments:
Abishek is offered in oil, milk, curd tender coconut to the Lord and the Goddess. People also offer Mangalsutra and jewels to the Goddess. Dhoti and Sari are offered. Feeding the visitors ( Annadhanam) is also followed by the rich.
Speciality:
The Shivalinga – Anilayappar – is a swayambu that exists of its own. Lord Brahmma worshipped Anilayappar as one in the Ant hill (Puttru in Tamil). Kamadenu (divine cow) worshippped the Lord here. During the worship, the feet of Kamadenu touched the Lord’s head, the symbol of which is still on the Linga.
Karuvur Siddhar
Karuvurar, one of the 18 Siddhas has a temple in the Southwest corner of this temple. Though adopting a life of renunciation, some Brahmins complained to the king that Karuvurar was performing pujas with meat and alchohol according to the Vama Marga school. Though the king could not find such undesirable third rate pujas from the Siddha, they continued their allegation. The Siddha, to end the troubles given by the Brahmins, disappeared on the Thai Poosam Day (January-February) and dissolved himself with the Lord, according to hearsay stories.
Reputation:
Of the seven Shiva Shrines of the Kongu region, Karur Pasupatheeswarar is considered first and foremost. Emperor Musukunda, belonging to the Skanda Mahapurana period is believed to have undertaken renovation of the temple. According to the history of the place, Emperor Musukunda was extended an invitation to attend the wedding of Lord Muruga that took place in Tiruparankundram near Madurai.
Karur has the reputation that Siddha Karuvurar lived here. He has praised the Lord in his Thiruvisaippa hymns. As Karuvurar dissolved himself with the Lord, the Linga is found in a slanting position. Saint Thirugnanasambandar had also praised the Lord in his Thevaram. So Arunagiriyar His favourite deity Muruga in the temple.
Karur also was the place of residence of Eripathanayanar, Pugazh Chola Nayanar . On 14, 15 and 16th of Panguni Tamil month (March-April) Sun rays fall on the shrine.
General Information:
Karur is 100 kms far from Salem, 76 from Trichy, 113 from Coimbatore and 144 from Madurai. The temple administration authorities can be contacted on phone No. 04324 – 262010.
Comfortable lodging facilities are available in Karur, the charges ranging from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500. As the temple is situated in the heart of Karur Town, conveyance facilities also available in short frequencies.. Nearest railway station is Karur and airport Trichy.
Festivals:
13 days Panguni Uthiram festival (March-April) drawing huge crowd of devotees. Arudra Darshan or Thiruvadirai in the month Margazhi (December-January). This is also a 13 day festival. Pradosha days, Jupiter transit day, Saturn transit day and full moon days are devotionally celebrated.
History:
Lord Brahmma became very proud as He is the creator of the world. With a view to teach him a lesson, Lord Shiva brought the divine cow Kamadenu. The divine cow also came to earth and performed penance here which was then a forest of Vanji trees. Kamadenu heard a sound from the sky directing it to worship an Adhi Linga hidden in an ant hill (puttru). The cow followed the order meticulously by pouring the milk on the ant hill but one day its feet touched the Lord. The cow apologized to the Lord for its careless behaviour causing bleeding on the Shivalinga. The Lord appeared before the cow and said that he would be worshipped as Pasupatheeaswara and the Kamadenu would be in charge of creation of the world. Kamadenu undertook the assignment and performed the job with all humily. At a later stage, Lord Pasupatheeswara restored the job to Brahmma himself and took Kamadenu to his Abode.
Mount Temple of Sri Rathnagireeswarar – Iyermalai
Presiding deity: Rathnagireeswarar
Reputation: Swayambu
Goddess: Karumbarkuzhali
Holy tree: Neem
Holy Water: Cauvery
Speciality: Temple on a mount
Height: 1178 feet
Steps: 1017
Place: Iyermalai
District: Karur
Prayers:
Those who have no knowledge of their family deities (Kula Deivam) may adopt Rathnagireeswarar as their family deity. The Easwara grants boons of marriage, business development, children. Freedom from depression is attained here. Majority of the devotees visit the place for mental peace alone. While going up on the steps, the devotee breaths the air from the various herbal plants on both sides and get relieved from Asthma, Blood pressure, chest pain, joint pains etc. The experience can be felt even in a single trip. Those doing so often are completely cured of these problems and this is the truth practically experienced by the devotees.
Devotees offer bell lamps (Manivilakku) to the God besides usual archanas etc. Abisheks are offered in oil, milk, tender coconuts. They undertake some fasting also and do charities. Dhyana, penance and such silent prayers are undertaken by the devotees. This is a special Shiva temple for devotees seeking mental peace. Preparations offered to the deity are distributed to visitors.
The unboiled milk used for abishek does not go stale till the evening though some dust from the incense sticks fall on the milk. Instead, it becomes a good curd the next morning. This is a miracle that could be seen only in this temple.
A devotee, Vairagya Perumal of Kancheepuram vowed to offer his head to Rathnagireeswarar if he got a child. He kept his promise sooner the wish was achieved. The head came to the peak of the mount while the feet stayed down. Honey and Coconut milk is used for the abishek for this head. The garlands used for the presiding deity is then offered to the head. The other surprise here is, that no crow flies on the hill. Tradition has it that once a crow upset the milk bowl of a devotee and got burnt. From then no crow flies on the hill. The presiding deity is also known as Rajalingam and Valpokki. The shrine is praised in the hymns of Thirunavukkarasar and Arunagiriar Thirupugazh. The abishek water is carried each day from the Cauvery river in the plains, 9 kilometers far. The scriptural names are Iyermalai and Shivayamalai.
Reputation.
The swayambu Linga is in the midst of 8 rocks. This is the 9th rock. They are revered as Navarathnas. Green and red stones are available in plenty below the earth. The temple is built above the 1017 steps. During the month of Chithirai, April-May, the sun rays fall on the Sivalinga through the nine holes in front of the Sanctum Sanatorium. The snakes here have no poison. It is here an Arya King got back his crown and Sundararar a purse. The Lord offers Darshan on the 1st day ofKarthikai wearing a priceless crown.
General information:
Karur 40 Kms. Kulithalai 8 kms, Trichy 44 kms and Manaparai 40 kms.
Devotees from other places can stay in the private lodges in Kulithalai or Karur, the charges ranging from Rs. 200 to 500. The temple is on the Karur-Trichy Road. One can reach Kulithalai and can take the Manaparai bus to reach Iyermalai. The temple is in the heart of the city. Nearest railway station is Kulithalai, the airport Trichy.
Festivals:
The crowd would be too huge for 15 days during the Chithirai Festival and on Mondays of the Karthikai month, especially on the 3rd and 4th Mondays touching two lakhs. Devotees go up rolling. During Pradosham days, transition of Guru (Jupiter) and Saturn and Poornima (full moon day), week end days, Tamil months 1st. day the crowd will be huge for Girivalam (around the mount).
History:
Iyermalai is one of the peaks of Meru Mount. The Linga is a Jyothir Linga. Also Swayambu.. The prayers begin at Kadambar temple on the banks of Cauvery, proceeds to Rathnagireeswarar in Iyermalai and ends in the Thiru Engoimalainathar temple. The abishek water is stored in a big bowl called Kopparai. Once it so happened that the Kopparai did not become full though people went on pouring the Cauvery water. The angry king took the sword and threw it on the Linga which began to bleed. The king reconciling from the fury fell at the feet of Lord, who in turn pardoned him and also offered precious stone. The scar is still visible on the Linga.
