Kadamba Vaneswarar Temple

Overview

Kulithalai Kadambavaneswarar Temple is located in Karur district in Tamil Nadu, India Kulithalai is 35 kms away from Karur. The temple is near the bus stand.

About The Temple

The presiding deity, Lord Shiva graces the temple as a Swayambu Linga facing north. It is seen that Seven Virgins (Saptha Kannikas) are worshipping Him from behind. The temple graced by Lord Anugnai Vinayaka has its Vimana – tower above the inner sanctum and is of Tridala design. The Rajagopuram has five tiers. Lord Shiva is facing north while Lord Dakshinamurthy on the Koshta (wall around the inner sanctum) is facing south. Lord Chandikeswara is facing west instead of south as the usual traditional is and Lord Brahamma is facing east instead of north.

Saptha Kannikas, the Seven Virgins prayed to Lord Shiva to protect them from the sins inflicted by killing demon Doomralochana.Lord Shiva is believed to be ensuring their security in this place. He also destroyed the demon.Devotees consider Goddess Chamundi is an incarnation of Mother Durga. Hence, there is no special shrine for Mother Durga. Worships to other Durga are offered in Shiva shrine itself.Pujas during Rahukala time are performed to Lord Shiva and Mother Durga simultaneously. Lord Shiva graces as Vamadeva Swayambu (facing north). Infront of the temple the mighty river Cauvery flows. Remembering the occasion of Lord Shiva granting darshan to the Saptha Kannikas, Lord visits Cauvery river with Goddess Ambica.

Also Lords of 7 Shiva temples around the place visit Cauvery river the same day, same time. It is a rare opportunity for the devotees to worship 8 Lord Shiva’s simultaneously. Lord Muruga worshipped Lord Shiva here for relieving from the sin inflicted by killing of demon Surapadma.He graces from a shrine in the prakara with His consorts Valli and Deivanai with his six faces, described by Saint Arunagiriar as Lord of six military camps attributed to him. Lord Lingodbhava is on the inner Sanctum’s Koshta-wall around the shrine. There are two Natarajas with Muyalagan on one and one without Crescent moon shines on the head.

About The Deity

The presiding deity is Lord Shiva. He is called as Kadambavaneswarar. His consort is Mutrila Mulaiammai. It is considered very auspicious to visit three Shivasthalams (Kadambar Kovil in the morning, Tiruvaatpokki (Ratnagiri) at noon and Tiruveengoimalai in the evening) on Mondays during the Tamil month of Karthigai. Mother Goddess Muttrila Mulai Ammai graces from a shrine facing east. Paramanathar is the guardian deity of this shrine with his hand on the forehead in a saluting form. People perform abishek to Paramanathar with honey and offer porridge made of Pasi corn, praying him to be a guardian of their houses too.

Legend and Stories

Devas of the celestial world had appealed to Goddess Ambica to protect them from the atrocities of Demon Doomralochana. The Goddess took the form of Durga and fought with the demon. As he was strengthened by the blessings, he fought with equal might with the Goddess. The Goddess began to feel weak.

Lord Shiva deputed Saptha Kannikas to fight him. The demon could not stand their force and hid himself in the hermitage of Maharshi Kathyayana.The virgins mistook the Rishi as the demon and killed him and thus incurred Brahmmahatya dosha – a sin that would make the sinner dark with a gruesome face. As advised by Goddess Ambica, they performed penance for Lord Shiva and got relieved of the sin when Lord granted them darshan from the Kadamba tree.

The temple graced by Lord Anugnai Vinayaka has its Vimana – tower above the inner sanctum – is of Tridala design. The Rajagopuram has five tiers. Lord Shiva is facing north while Lord Dakshinamurthy on the Koshta (wall around the inner sanctum) is facing south.Lord Chandikeswara is facing west instead of south as the usual tradition. Lord Brahamma is facing east instead of north.Lord Muruga with His consorts Valli and Deivanai are above the Navagrahas - the nine planets to facilitate worshipping of those affected by Mars planet adverse aspects.Lord Muruga is the deity of Planet Mars. There is also a separate shrine for Sani Bhagwan-Saturn.

Festival

Thai Poosam in January-February,13 day Masi Brahmotsavam in February-March, Panguni Uthiram in March-April, Vaikasi Visakham in May-June and Aipasi Skanda Sashti in October-November are the festivals in the temple.

Aadi -Pooram- 10 days
Purattasi -Navarathri- 10 days
Ippasi -Kanthar Sasti- 10 days
Karthikai - Somavaram Karthigai Panjamoorthi Purappadu- 4 days
Margali -Tiruvadhirai- 1 day
Thai -Thaipoosam- 2 days
Maasi -Maasimagam Pramoochavam- 10 days
Panguni -Uthiram- 1 day

Arti/Pooja/seva

Poojas	Timings
Thiruvanathal	06.30 A.M.
Kalasanthi	08.30 A.M.
Uchikalam	12.00 Noon
Sayaraitchai(1-Kalam)	05.30 P.M.
Sayaraitchai(2-Kalam)	06:30 P.M.
Arthajama Poojai	08.30 P.M.

Significance

Women believe that Lord Shiva would be their constant protector and submit all their grievances at his feet.

Nearby Place To Visit

Arumkarai Amman
Kalyana Vigirtheeswarar
Kalyana pasupatheeswarar
Rathnagiriswarar
Kalyana Venkataramanan
Sri Mariamman Temple

Accessibility

Road

Kulithalai is 35 km far from Karur. The temple is too near the Kulithalai bus stand.

Railways

The nearest railway station to Kulithalai is Kulithalai railway station Junction which is 1 km from Kulithalai city centre.

Airport

The nearest Airport is Tiruchirapalli Airport, located 40 kms (25 mi) away from the town.

Temple Address

Sri Kadamba Vaneswarar temple
Kulithalai-639 104
Karur district.