Sri Karapuranathar Temple

Overview : Karapuranathar is a Lord Shiva temple located in Tamil Nadu.The main tower (Rajagopuram) was constructed during the Chola period but was not finished. Later the Government of Tamilnadu took up the construction, finalised it and executed the consecration on 9th February, 1992.The Shivalinga found in the temple is slightly slanting. Once a little boy Gunaseelan desired to garland the Lord but his hands were unable to touch the Lord as it was tall. So he shedding tears. Great Lord gratified with a bend. Thus it is found in a sloping position.According to another story ,a Pandya king handpicked pearls from the Tirumanimutharu river flowing close to the shrine and prepared a chain for Madurai Meenakshi which is still on her neck.The sanctification of the temple was organised 73 years ago. One wooden car called rath was made and a trial run was held along with a festival on the day of Chitra Poornima. Subsequently festivals are conducted with Chandi Homam, Pradosha pujas all over the 12 months of the year.Statues of the three Tamil Kings Chola ,Chera and Pandya are positioned at the entrance of the temple. Great Tamil Poetess Avvaiyar’s statue is also present which is the biggest in Tamilnadu.The distant past and historical reputation of the temple add to its glory.Avvaiyar got Sangavai and Angavai , daughters of Pari to this temple to hold off the enmity of the three kings against Pari and executed their marriage very peacefully. Therefore, the kings are also installed in the temple with the signs of their flags the bow, the tiger and the fish. Ravana‘s brother Karadushana performed penance on Lord Shiva and was on the point of falling in the fire. Lord clogged him and granted darshan. Thus the Lord got the name Karapuranathar.According to Uthamacholapuram Karapuanathar Puranam the place is called Karapura in Dredhayuga and Cholapuri in Kaliyuga. But there is no knowledge about the author of this text.Conferring to this book, the believer could gain all the reimbursements in this birth and achieve Moksha (salvation) with his devotion in this temple alone without going to other temples, such as Sun, Moon and the heavenly beings surrender at the feet of Karapuranathar.Hymns of Tirumoolar ,Tirugnanasambandar and Arunagirinathar also mention the name of Karapuranathar. Epigraphical proofs about the existence of the three kings in this temple visiting for worship are found. Uthamacholapuram is the place where Chola stayed while Pandya lived at Veerapandi and Chera’s as Servarayanmalai.