Thirukkarisanadhar Temple, Kalavai – History

Thirukkarisanadhar Temple, Kalavai – History

Ancient relics and inscriptions relating to the village are found in the local Siva temple named Thirukkaresvara temple. Probably the temple was built by one Thirukkarai and hence the name Thirukkaresvara (on analogy with Rajarajeshvara). The history of the village could be traced to the Sangam age. The area was under the control of the Malaiyamans of Thirukoyilur where ruled the famous chieftain Malaiyamans Thirumudikkaari who has been sung by eminent Sangam poets like Avvaiyar, Paranar, and Kapilar.

It is not unlikely that Thirukkarai of this family built the Siva temple after whom it came to be called Thirukaresvaram. The Sthalapuranam of the village seems to support this antiquity. Its close link to Malaiyanur may be seen in the sequence. The temples in this ancient village abounds in relics and inscriptions that refer to the period dating back to the latter half of 10^th century of the Chola Emperor Raja Raja Chola, his great grandson Adhirajendra Chola and to Kulottunga. 

In the 12^th century, there are two records of Vikrama Chola, the son and successor of Kulottunga.  The first one dated 1122, mentions Kalavai as Rajanarayana Chaturvedimangalam and the name of the God as Thirukkarisvaramudaiyar. The offerings to God in the form of cooked rice (Annam) and cooked vegetables were to be made from only out of the lands allotted by the great rulers. It is known that in 1310, Malik Kaffoor invaded southern countries and looted the properties of all temples that drained the major wealth and economy of Tamil Nadu. 

At the time of Islamic invasions, the temple priests (gurukkal) and the villagers built a wall made of black granites in front of the Sanctum sanctorum and kept a similar lingam in the front posing as the original lingam in front of the wall which was said to be destroyed mistaken as the main deity. They buried all other Panchaloka Utsava Idols under the sand and retrieved after the situation returning to normalcy. But they could not save the Amman Vigraham (idol). Dharmasamvardhini Amman idol is nearly 800 years old.

Kumara Kampana, the son of Bukka who established the Vijayanagara Empire invaded Thondai Mandalam and saw to it that enough grants are given to perform regular pujas. Subsequently, Krishnadevaraya sent Timmappa nayaka of Satirappadi on 20^th August 1526 to protect the temple. Kalavai town was historically known as Narayana Chathurvedhi Mangalam and was colloquially renamed as Kalavai in the 11^th Century. This small village has historic importance from the time of Pallava Kings in the 7^th Century A.D.

Ancient relics and inscriptions relating to the village are found in Thirukkarisanadhar Temple also known as Kottai Koil (Fort Temple). The place has always been associated with the Kanchi Mutt and Kanchi Maha Swamigal who decorated the Mutt as the 68th pontiff of the Mutt in this holy town. It was during the period of Kanchi Mahaswamikal that this ancient but little-known village called Kalavai shot into prominence and it continues to be a place of pilgrimage.

Even before the Mahaswamikal was ordained as the head of the Mutt, two of his predecessors attained Mahasamadhi within a short period and their Brindavan temples are enshrined here. The Mahakumbabishekam for Thirukkarisanadhar Temple was performed on 26^th October 2015 in the august presence of Thava Thiru. Sachidananda Swamigal also known as Kalavai Swamigal with the Contributions and Support of people of Kalavai, devotees and donors in the year of Manmada Varusham.

It is very much astonishing that about 120 years back in 1895, the Maha Kumbabhishekam was performed in the same Manmatha Varusham. The Vimanam of Amman shrine was found damaged during renovation. So, it was rebuilt and the Amman was placed in the sanctum back again during Kumbabhishekam which was performed on 26th October 2015. Our revered Maha Periyava, the Saint who lived during our times had often visited this temple and had a Dharshan of Thirukkarisanadhar and used to meditate for a long time in front of Sri Dhakshinamoorthy in the inner prakaram.