Kaarai Tirunatheswarar, Kachchineri Kaaraikkadu
Location: Kachchineri Kaaraikkadu
Deity known as: Kaarai Tiru-Natheswarar, Sathyanathaswamy, Sathyaviradeshwarar
Female Deity: Kamakshi
Pathikam: Sambandar - 1
Gallery - Kaarai Tirunatheswarar Temple
How to Reach
This Shiva temple is located at Tirukaalimedu, a locality in the north-eastern part of Kancheepuram. The road opposite the Kancheepuram Head Post Office leads directly to the temple. Bus services are available from Kancheepuram.
Temple Address
Tirukkalimedu
Kancheepuram
Kancheepuram District
PIN - 631501
Temple Hours
Morning: 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Evening: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Nearby Temples
| 1 | Tirukachchi Ekambam (Kancheepuram) - 3.5 kms | |
| 2 | Tirukkachchi Mettrali - 4.5 kms | |
| 3 | Onakaanthanthali - 4.8 kms | |
| 4 | Kachchi Anekathangaapatham - 3.7 kms |
Travel Tips
All the Paadal Petra Sthalams in Kancheepuram (Thondai Naadu) are located very close to one another, making it convenient to visit multiple temples within a single day. Begin your pilgrimage early in the morning and plan your route efficiently to cover all the sacred Shiva temples of Kancheepuram in a comfortable and fulfilling manner.
Temple History and Name Origin
The area around this temple was once surrounded by a dense forest of a bushy, thorny suffruticose herb known as 'Kaarai' in Tamil, hence earning the name 'Kaarai Kaadu'. Presently, this location is recognized as Thirukaalimedu with the deity being referred to as 'Thirukaaleeshwarar'.
Indra Puri
This temple is also identified as “Indra Puri”, as the celestial god Indra worshipped the presiding deity at this sacred site. It is believed that Indra created a water body for the anointment (abhishekam) of the deity. This tank is presently known as “Veppankulam.” Unfortunately, this sacred tank is currently not well maintained.
Temple Architecture and Layout
The temple has a west-facing entrance. From this entrance, a pathway leads to another gateway crowned by a three-tiered Gopuram. Along this pathway are the Dwajasthambam, Nandi, and Balipeetam. This gateway opens into the outer prakaram, which facilitates circumambulation (pradakshina) of the temple.
Outer Prakaram Sannidhis
An inner gateway from the outer prakaram leads into the inner prakaram, which surrounds the sanctum sanctorum. The sannidhis located within the inner prakaram include:
- Nalvar Sannidhi - The four Nayanmars (Appar, Tirugyanasambandhar, Sundarar, Manikkavasakar)
- Indra
- Bhudhan - The Planetorial God for Mercury
- Bhairava Sannidhi
- Vinayaka Sannidhi
- Subramanya Sannidhi with His consorts Valli and Deivanai
- Gajalakshmi Sannidhi
Main Sanctum
The entrance to the sanctum is flanked by Dwara Vinayaka and Dwara Subramanya. The presiding deity, Karai Thirunatheshwar, also known as Sathyanathaswamy, is enshrined as a Swayambhu Lingam in the west-facing sanctum. This self-manifested Lingam is distinguished by its reddish soil colour, rough texture, and tall, broad circumference. Adjacent to the Lingam is the Utsava idol of the divine consort Kamakshi Ammai, along with separate sannidhis for Surya and a Nataraja Sabha.
Goshta Murthas
Ganapathy, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Brahma, and Goddess Durga adorn the walls surrounding the sanctum as Goshta Murtis.
Temple Significance
This Shiva temple holds special significance for devotees born under the Mithuna (Gemini) and Kanni (Virgo) Rasis, and for those facing challenges related to Mercury (Budhan) in their astrological charts.
Astrological Significance
This significance stems from the belief that Budhan, the lord of Mercury, worshipped the deity at this sacred site. It is believed that visiting the temple on Wednesdays and venerating Kaarai Tirunatheswarar helps enhance the benefic effects of Mercury in the lives of devotees.
Pathikam Reference
The pathikam composed by Thirugnanasambandhar (Sambandar) is found in the 3rd Tirumurai.
Gallery - Kaarai Tirunatheswarar Temple
