Karaikandeswarar Temple, Elathur, Thiruvannamalai
Karaikandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva
located at Elathur Village in
Kalasapakkam Taluk in Thiruvannamalai District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is
called as Karaikandeswarar and Mother is called as Periyanayagi Amman / Brahannayaki. This Temple is considered as one the Saptha Kailaya Sthalams
established and worshipped by Lord Muruga on the northern bank of river Cheyyar.
Like the other Karaikandeswarar Temple,
here also Cheyyar river flows towards North and hence this is considered
equivalent to Kasi.
Legends
For brief details, please refer below link;
History
The Temple has been renovated
by Cholas and Vijayanagara Kings in the ancient past.
The
Temple
The Temple is having a south
facing entrance arch with stucco image of Rishabaroodar with Nandhis on both
side. Presiding Deity is called as Karaikandeswarar. Lord is facing north.
Nandhi is found in the prakaram facing the sanctum through a window. There are
idols of Vinayaga and Bhairava at the entrance of the sanctum.
Ganesha, Bhairava,
Lingodhbava, Brahma and Durga are the niche idols located around the sanctum
walls. Chandikeswarar is situated in his usual location. There is a shrine for
Dhakshinamoorthy on the eastern side from the sanctum. Natarajar Arudhra
Mandapam is situated inside the four pillared Mahamandapam.
Mother is called as Periyanayagi Amman / Brahannayaki. Mother is
housed in separate east facing shrine. She is sitting posture resting left hand
on her thighs and holding Kuvalai Flower on her right hand. There are shrines
for Vinayaga and Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai in the temple
premises.
Contact
Karaikandeswarar Temple,
Elathur, Kalasapakkam Taluk,
Thiruvannamalai District – 606 906
Mobile: +91 96556
76224 / 80563 16727
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 3 Kms from Villvarani, 7 Kms from Poondi, 9
Kms from Kalasapakkam, 12 Kms from Agaram Sibbandi Railway Station, 16 Kms from
Polur, 34 Kms from Thiruvannamalai, 29 Kms from Thiruvannamalai Railway
Station, 169 Kms from Chennai Airport and 188 Kms from Chennai. The temple can be reached
either from Polur – Chengam road or from Kalasapakkam Vilvarani Road. While
coming from Polur on the Chengam road, around 650 meters after Vilvarani
Murugan temple, you have to take a left turn and travel further for another 1.5
kms to reach the temple. While coming from Kalasapakkam – Poondi, after Poondi,
Priyampattu and Kannikoil, just before a small bridge on a water channel, you
have to take a left village road and travel further for another 2 Kms.
Location
References