Karaikandeswarar Temple, Thenmathimangalam,
Thiruvannamalai
Karaikandeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva
located at Thenmathimangalam Village in Kalasapakkam Taluk in Thiruvannamalai
District of Tamilnadu. Thenmathimangalam is also called as Then Mahadeva
Mangalam. 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 is believed to build by Cholas during 10th
Century. Later local chieftains and Samburvaraya Kings had done lot of
renovations to this Temple.
The
Temple
The Temple covers an area of about 2 acres with two
prakarams. Nandhi is housed in 12 pillared mandapam after the main entrance.
11th Century Pond can be found to north east of Nandhi Mandapam in the first
prakaram. Balipeedam and Dwajasthambam are found facing sanctum in the second
prakaram. Presiding Deity is called as
Karaikandeswarar. Lord is facing east. Mother is called as Periyanayagi Amman / Brahannayaki. Mother is housed in a separate shrine.
There are shrines of Arthanareeswarar, Kasi Viswanathar,
Kasi Visalakshi, Nandanar, Saptha kannigais and Lord Murugan with his consorts
Valli and Deivanai in the temple premises. Since this is Mid Karaikandeswarar
Sthalam, remaining three Karaikandeswarar Lingams can be found in the temple
premises. The temple has a mandapam facility to stay and this could be a
convenient point from where all the 14 temples can be visited easily.
Contact
Karaikandeswarar Temple,
Thenmathimangalam,
Kalasapakkam Taluk,
Thiruvannamalai District – 606
908
Mobile: +91 75300 73006 /
96887 34295
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 7 Kms from Kadaladi, 7 Kms from Parvathamalai,
13 Kms from Kalasapakkam, 20 Kms from Polur, 20 Kms from Agaram Sibbandi
Railway Station, 34 Kms from Thiruvannamalai, 32 Kms from Thiruvannamalai
Railway Station, 173 Kms from Chennai Airport and 187 Kms from Chennai. There are regular buses from Tiruvannamalai to
Parvathamalai via Thenmathimangalam. The Temple is situated at a walkable
distance from Thenmathimangalam Bus Stop. The place is situated on Chengam – Polur
Route.
Location
References