Shiva Temples of Tamilnadu

Temple Significance & History

Origin of the Name

Karaveeram is the name of a tree that bears golden-yellow flowers, also known as Pon-alari. In ancient times, this place was covered with a forest of Pon-alari trees. As the Pon-alari was the sthala vruksham (sacred tree) of this place, it came to be known as Karaveeram. The presiding deity is therefore known as Karaveeranathar. As Shiva here was worshipped by Brahma, He is also known as Brahmapureeswarar.

Temple Structure

This is the place where Sage Gautama is believed to have worshipped Shiva. The temple is associated with the nearby Tiru-Kannamangai Perumal Temple and is surrounded by a protective wall on all four sides, with a single entrance. The temple's sacred water body, Anavaratha Theertham, is located outside the temple.

Outer Prakaram

After entering through the main entrance, one reaches a spacious outer courtyard and prakaram. The Bali Peeta is situated directly ahead, followed by the Nandi Mandapam. The large outer prakaram contains separate sannidhis for Vinayaka, Muruga, Surya, Chandra, Saneeswara and Bhairava. A small gopuram stands beyond the Nandi Mandapam. Passing through the gopuram leads to the inner sanctum, where the presiding deity is enshrined as a swayambhu Linga facing east.

Goddess Sanctum

The Goddess's sannidhi is situated to the right of the main sannidhi. When the Ambal Sannidhi is located to the right of the Swamy Sannidhi, the temple layout is known as a Kalyana Kola (Wedding Form) or Kalyana Kshetra temple. A sannidhi for Surya is located opposite the Goddess's shrine. The goshta niches around the sanctum of the presiding deity contain Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma and Durga.

Blessings for Marriage

A separate sannidhi for Sage Gautama is present in this temple. On Amavasya days, women traditionally offer water to the sacred tree associated with the Jeeva Samadhi of Sage Gautama and then worship Brahmapureeswarar. It is believed that those who perform this worship will receive the blessing of marriage before the following Amavasya.

Sthala Vruksham

The sthala vruksham, the sacred Red Arali tree, is located in the western outer prakaram, behind the vimana of the main sannidhi. Devotees traditionally visit the temple, offer three pots of water to the sacred tree, and place three turmeric roots at the feet of the Goddess as part of their worship. It is believed that if the turmeric is later dissolved in water and children suffering from illness are bathed with this water, they will be relieved of their ailments and blessed with good health.