हिंदीOn this day
Standing

Kalyana Vikirthanathar Temple, Venjamakoodal (Venjamangudalur)

One of the seven Kongu Nadu shrines of the Tevaram, on the Kudaganaru near Karur. Shiva came to Sundarar here as an old man and gave him gold.

Built: Kongu-country temple with Pandya-period inscriptions and a five-tiered rajagopuramWhere: Tamil Nadu (Karur district, Aravakurichi taluk)Deity: Bhagwan Shiva as Kalyana Vikirthanathar (Vikirthesvarar); Devi as Panner Mozhiyammai (Vikirtha Nayaki)10.82° N, 78.00° E
Photo: பா.ஜம்புலிங்கம் · CC BY-SA 4.0

01Gold for Sundarar

The temple’s katha says a hunter chief named Venchan worshipped Shiva here and gave the place its name, and that when Sundarar came, the Lord met him in the guise of an old priest and gave him gold. Sundarar’s padigam on Venjamakoodal is in the Seventh Tirumurai, and Arunagirinathar also came here. The linga stands about five feet high. Panels around the sanctum show the seven Tevaram temples of Kongu Nadu, and there are shrines to the Pancha Lingas, Bhairava and the sixty-three Nayanmars. The Pandya kings patronised the temple and their inscriptions are cut into its rock.

Visiting

About 16 km south-west of Karur to Thalapatti on the Aravakurichi road, then about 10 km by a branch road. The Masi Brahmotsavam brings out the chariot.

Nearby

Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Karur (Karuvur Anilai)Standing
Cholas and the Southern Seas

Pasupatheeswarar Temple, Karur (Karuvur Anilai)

The shrine where Kamadhenu worshipped Shiva, in the old Chera city of Karur. Sambandar sang it, and the siddha Karuvur Devar has his shrine here.

Magudeswarar Temple, KodumudiStanding
Cholas and the Southern Seas

Magudeswarar Temple, Kodumudi

A Trimurti temple on the Kaveri, where Sundarar sang his Namasivaya padigam. The peak (kodumudi) of Meru is said to have fallen here.

Ratnagireeswarar Temple, Vatpokki (Ayyarmalai)Standing
Cholas and the Southern Seas

Ratnagireeswarar Temple, Vatpokki (Ayyarmalai)

The ruby hill of Ayyarmalai near Kulithalai, where a king raised his sword at the Lord and received a gem. Appar sang it.

Maragathachaleswarar Temple, TiruveengoimalaiStanding
Cholas and the Southern Seas

Maragathachaleswarar Temple, Tiruveengoimalai

The emerald hill on the north bank of the Kaveri, last of the Tevaram temples north of the river, where Agastya worshipped as a fly. Sambandar sang it.