Thanthondri Malai Kalyana Venkataramana Swamy Temple
Karur, historically called as Karuvur and fondly called as 'Vanji Ma Nagar' by the Tamil speaking population living all over the world, is a major business hub of the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Widely recognized for its power loom and hand loom textile merchandise, bus body building industries and the notable Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL), Karur is one among the leading commercial hubs of South India.Must Read:
The other face of the bustling Karur, that is, the religious face is rather incredible that the historic town is the home of quite a number of age old temples like Pasupatheiswarar Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, Sri Jaya Anjaneya Temple, Mayanur Pilgrimage and so on. Among the must visit temples of Karur, Thanthondri Malai Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy Temple is one of the unmissable names. Let's get to know more about the celebrated Thanthondri Malai Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy Temple in Karur.
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Tourism in Karur
Significance of Thanthondri Malai Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy Temple
Among the hundreds of thousands of religious sites in the state, the Vaishnava temples have always had an important position in the never ending list of most important spiritual spots of Tamil Nadu. One among the blessed and most consecrated of them is the Thanthondri Malai Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy Temple in Karur. The 8th century rock cut cave temple is situated just 2.7 km from the city center of Karur along the Karur Road - Dindigul state highways via Guziliamparai (SH-74). This temple is popularly referred as the 'Tirupati of the South' (Then Thirupathi). It is believed that Thirupathi Tirumala Sri Venkateswara (Thirupathi Sri Venkatachalapathi) himself has his home in this revered site and he offers his blessings and grants whatever they ask for.
Did you know?
The architecture of this 8th century rock cut cave temple resembles the architecture of the Namakkal Narasimha Swamy Temple
Several far-famed literary compositions like Venkatesha Parakramam, Vishnu Dharmodhram and Thanthondrimalai Mahathmiyam have lauded the greatness of the Thanthondri Malai Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy Temple in Karur. The notable Vishnu temple is also called as ‘Swayam Viyaktha Venkatagiri’ for its prominence. Scores of devotees from all over the world visit the temple throughout the year, especially on the Saturdays that fall on the Tamil month of Puratasi, which are considered as special days for perumal.
Main Shrine of Thanthondri Malai Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy Temple
The historic kshetram is located on a holy hillock which faces the eastern direction. The small natural hill is uniquely shaped as it is a little less high in the eastern side and a little lofty in the western side. The main temple tower of the Thanthondri Malai Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy Temple is located above the Karba-graha (sanctum sanctorum). The primary deity of this ancient temple is found in a cave (Kudavarai) where the Kalayana Venkataramana offers his blessings in a majestic standing posture.
The 'west' facing moolavar appears stunning and gigantic with four hands that two eyes would not be enough to absorb the beauty of the lord. The primary deity postures with Goddess Maha Lakshmi in his chest and just like that Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam, a separate sannadhi to the goddess cannot be found! The moolavar in this temple is also called as 'Bhaktha Pratheenan'.
Unique Features of Thanthondri Malai Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy Temple
Lord Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy here is a swayambu murthi (self-manisfested). The Thanthondri Malai Kalayana Venkataramana Swamy Temple in Karur is a 'Prarthana Sthalam' that people come and seek blessings of the lord to remove obstacles to marriage and childless couples come in large numbers to this temple.
A strikingly odd feature about this temple is that devotees offer footwear as a part of their offerings and a strange and a dedicated festival is celebrated in this temple where footwears are submitted to the lord, known as Chemmali Samarpanam. Furthermore, devotees also offer pepper, jaggery and salt to the temple to get relief from pimples and scars.
Quick Facts:
Location and Contact Details:Arulmighu Kalyana Venkataramana Swamy Temple
Thanthondrimalai, Karur - 639005
Phone Number: 04324 – 257531
Email: thanthonriperumal@tnhrce.org
Presiding Deity (Moolavar): Sri Kalyana Venkataramana Swamy
Festival Deity (Urchavar): Srinivasa Peumal
Goddess (Thayar): No separate thayar sannadhi is found as the goddess offer her blessings from the chest of perumal
Administration:
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department
Temple Timings:
6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Pooja Timings:
Viswaroopam: 6:oo AM to 6:30 AM
Kaala Shanthi Pooja: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM
Thirumanjanam: 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Uchchi Kaala Pooja: 12:00 Noon to 12:30 PM
Sayaratchai: 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Important Sevas:
Kalyana Urchavam, Maha Abisekam, Santhanakappu, Thankakavacham, Velikavacham, Vasithiram, Thulaparam, Thomalai sevai and so on
Important Festivals:
Pavithra Utsavam, Puratasi Utsavam, Krishna Jayanthi, Tamil New Year, Maasi Magam and Teppani Utsavam, Chithirai Utsavam, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Thiruvonam and so on
Transport Information:
Nearest Railway Station: Karur Junction Railway Station (Code: KRR)
Nearest Airport: Tiruchirappalli International Airport (IATA: TRZ, ICAO: VOTR)