Navaladi Karupannaswamy Temple, Mohanur, Namakkal
Navaladi
Karupannaswamy Temple is a 2000 years old temple in Mohanur, Namakkal
District, India. Its presiding
deity is Karuppu Sami, also known as Navaladian and Judge Durai. It is also
known as Pattamarathan. Presiding deity is Swayambu. It is known for two trees, the "Holy tree"
known as Novel tree and the "Special tree", known as Neem tree. Its scriptural
name is Mahanur.
Legends
Lord
Shiva, in the form of
Sivasakthi had come down as a watch God in the name of Karupannaswamy.
Uppiliappan Thittu King Mohur Pazhayan ruled Mohanur and prayed to Navaladian
before making decisions. He declared the nearby Neem Tree as the Watch Tree of
the region. After the invasion of Senguttuvan, the Naval tree became dry. As
the deity was near this tree, he was called Pattamarathan. As he was also near
the Naval tree, the deity was also known as Navaladian.
Traders
in olden days were using this path for their travels. When they
reached this place, it was night. They placed a stone they brought
with them under the Naaval tree and slept. Next day, when the
continued their journey, they could not lift the stone they placed there. Karuppusamy
appeared through a devotee and said that he had stayed there and advised them
to build a temple. Devotees followed the order and built the temple. As
the deity had chosen the place under the Naaval tree, He is praised as
Naavaladi Karuppuswamy.
The
Temple
The main
entrance of the temple is on the northern side. Mother Chellandi
Amman is opposite of this entrance. Sitting on a Peeta, She is
holding weapons as Udukkai, trident and flower and kumkum appearing as the
destroyer of a demon. Saptha Kannikas – seven virgins – are in the
front mandapam. There are three horse Vahanas at the entrance with
Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva, a lion (Simha) and another horse. The
guardian deities are under the Naaval tree. The procession deity, made of
wood is in a separate shrine with his consorts Bommi and
Vellayammal.
The
Swayambu Murthy is in a pit in the temple. There is a dry tree behind the
swayambu called Pattamaram, meaning that the tree is dry. The deity is in the
form of a Peeta – platform. The Chera King Senguttuvan performed the
field puja here before invading to the north. The Chellandiamman shrine is very
popular. The pujas performed here are non-vegetarian.
Navaladi
Karuppuswamy is in the form of a Peeta or a platform in a small
pit. The temple is built among the stones placed by traders in early
days. This peeta is drawn with eyes, nose and tilak with sandal and dressed
(Alankara) as a deity. A turban is also placed on the peeta. Devotees
write their prayers in paper and tie it in the naval tree. They are not removed
but are placed in the temple complex. As these are considered a
petition submitted to Lord, nobody has the courage to touch them.
The Karuppuswamy
Peetam is just a little away from the temple where people sacrifice Kida-animal
and cocks as their prayer commitments after realizing their
wishes. There is also a custom of offering chappal Kanikka in the Peepal
tree-Arasa Maram. Three Vels – a weapon with a long handle with a sharp base at
the end as in the hands of Lord Muruga with two horses nearby re installed in
the temple.
Those
who had committed wrongs knowingly punch a lime fruit on these Vels and pledge
that they would not repeat the sin. The horses nearby are the witnesses to
the pledge. These Vels are known as Sakthi Vel or Satya Vel. Those cheated
by others also pray to the Vels for remedy.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple is continuously open from 4.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
Festivals
During
the Panguni month (March–April) Mariamman festival is celebrated for 10 days. The Kaliyamman
festival follows then in Chithirai (April–May), lasting 8 Days.
Every
day is a festival day in the temple with special pujas and Alankarams to the
presiding deity. Those praying and realizing their wishes offer nivedhanas
called Padayal to Sri Karuppuswamy. He is also praised as Padayalsami.
Prayers
Devotees
throng the temple seeking solutions for burden of debt, family problems,
incurable diseases, for success in raising cattle and for children and suitable
marriage alliances. People sacrifice sheep and cocks to the deity. The
midnight puja called Sathya Puja is considered very important by
the devotees.
Here
people submit their prayers in writing. They state their grievances in a
petition as if submitting to an official and tie them in the Pattamaram tree in
the temple. They speak face to face with the deity. Majority of the devotees
are those cheated by others. Realizing their wishes, devotees sacrifice sheep
and cocks.
Contact
Navaladi
Karuppusamy Temple,
Mohanur
– 637 015,
Namakkal
District, Tamilnadu
Phone: +91- 4286 - 256
400, 256 401, 255 390.
Connectivity
Mohanur
is 18 km from Namakkal. The temple is 2 km away from the bus stop. Nearest
railway station to Navaladi Karuppusamy Temple in Mohanur is Mohanur Railway
Station which is 18km away. From here buses and autos are available to reach
the temple. Nearest airport to Navaladi Karuppusamy Temple in Mohanur is
Tiruchirappalli Airport which is 69 KM away. From here taxis and buses are
available to reach the temple.
