This shiva temple in Tirukanaper spans a vast area of 4 acres. There are two east-facing gopurams, a 9-tiered one measuring 157 feet built by the Maruthu Pandiyas and the other smaller 5-tiered one built by the Pandya King Sundara Pandiyan. There are two prakaram and three seperate sannidhis dedicated to three deities Within the temple complex. The Presiding deity is SwarnaKaleeshwara on whom the thevara pathikam is sung. There are two more sannidhis on either side of the presiding deity; Someshwara to the right and Sundareshar to the left. All the temple properties are registered under the name of the presiding deity SwarnaKaleeshwara. During festivals, the "Urchava" idol of Someshwara is brought out for processions but any kind of nivedhanam or offering is given to Sundareshar. All the three sannidhis face east including the sannidhi of the female deity Suvrnavalli which is located to the left of Sundareswarar Sannidhi. The other two female deities are in their respective south-facing sannidhis.
Kali after slaying the demon Sandasuran prayed to the deity here to absolve herself of the sin of slaying Sandasura. It was here Kali shed her fearsome appearance and assumed the form of Suvarnavalli to unite in matrimony with SwarnaKaleeshwara.
Indira's elephant Iravadham threw a garland that was given to him as 'prasadam' by a Sage and was cursed for his heedlessness. Iravadham came to this sacred site and worshipped the deity to liberate himself from the curse. He diligently created a pit for water by digging the earth with his tusk to perform the ritual of 'Abishekam'. His sincerity and devotion earned Iravadham the liberation he sought and his return to Devaloka. Over time the pit that was created by the elephant transformed into a pond known as 'Gajapushkarani'. Remarkably this pond never dries up. Situated in the middle of this square pond is a Mandap, a structure used for religious ceremonies. According to the Skanda Purana, it is believed that Lord Rama himself bathed in this sacred waterbody to cleanse himself of the Brahmahati dosha, a sin incurred by killing Ravana. This holy pond, known as Gajapushkarani Theertha, is located outside the temple.
The Shiva Ganga Theertham was created by Kali for her worship. Other sacred water bodies associated with the temple are Vishnu Theertham, Saraswati Theertham, Gauri Theertham, Rudra Theertham, Lakshmi Theertham and Sudarsana Theertham. 'Sthala vruksham' is Kokum tree.
This place is considered to be a 'Mukthi sthalam' - giving 'Mukthi' to those who are either born or die here and it is also believed that one's accumulated sins from past lives too gets nulled. Indra when he was cursed visited numerous temples and when he arrived here he realised that the sanctity of this temple was equivalent to visiting a thousand temples. There is a sannidhi for Sahasralingam (1000 Lingam) and the golden 'Palli Arai' (Sleeping quarters) is unique to this temple .
In the 19th century, the Maruthu Pandi brothers sought refuge in a forest after engaging in a battle against the British army. In an attempt to capture them, the British authorities threatened to destroy this temple's magnificent tower unless the brothers surrendered. Despite knowing the consequences, the Maruthu Pandi brothers valiantly sacrificed their lives to safeguard the tower and were eventually hanged by the british army.
During his pilgrimage with the Chera King, Sundaramurthy Nayanar arrived at Tiruchuzhiyal and decided to rest for the night. God Shiva appeared in Sundarar's dream as a bull, clutching a golden coin and adorned with a crown known as 'Thirumudi'. He revealed to Sundarar that his divine abode is in Kanapper and then disappeared. Subsequently, Sundarar, accompanied by the Chera King, visited the temple at Tirukanapper and composed a pathikam in praise of the deity.
Primary Tower
Second Tower
Way to Someshwar sannidhi
Shivalanga in the prakaram
Nandi, Balipeetam
Way to Sundareshwarar sannidhi
MahaVishnu with Sridevi and Bhoodevi
Saptha Matha
Somehswarar sannidhi
SwarnaKaleeshwarar sannidhi