Kariya Perumal Karadu Temple is situated on a small hill near Salem District at Nethimedu village. The hill has few Hindu temples located on it, namely: Subramania Swamy Temple, Kariyaperumal Temple, Kariyamalai Nathar Temple, Veera Anjaneyar Temple & Uchi Pillaiyar Temple.
Proper steps are available till Lord Murugan Temple and further from the temple it is a rocky path to climb up the hill to see Lord Kariya Perumal.
A small hill has 500+ step staircase. We can observe the Silence and feel the fresh air at the top of the hill. We can park our vehicles at the downstairs and Carry enough Water.
Kariya Perumal temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is in the name of Kariya Malai Nathar along with his consort Karunambigai.
Oothumalai Bala Subramaniar Temple is 17 kms away from Salem Junction at Seelanaickenpatti. It is dedicated to Lord Muruga who is in the name Balasubramaniar.
Here, Lord Muruga is in the standing position with his vehicle Peacock, Lord Vinayaga on the left and Lord Shiva on the right with his vehicle Bull. It is believed that Sage Agasthiya has visited this temple and prayed Lord Muruga and has written Tamil grammar Agathiyam in this temple.
Jains have led their life during their times in the caves here and you can see the evidence of their lives here. Mythology says that seven rishis took bath in the holy waters surrounding the hills specially on the New moon days early in the morning and performed Puja to Lord Sadha Shiva.
Sri Chakra devi with 43 triangles, hermitage of sages, etc. are installed in the temple. The holy tree of the temple is Vilwa tree.
As thanksgiving, devotees perform Abhisheka for Lord Muruga when their prayers for prosperity and progress in life gets fulfilled.
The temple is open from 6 AM to 11AM and 4 PM to 8 PM. Make a visit to the temple and engross yourself in the divinity of the temple.
Kalangi Siddhar Temple
Siddhar Temple or Siddeshwara temple is located at about a distance of 12kms towards the west direction of Salem. It is a small village where the shrine of Siddhar, also called as Kalangi Nathar is placed.
Kalangi Nathar is believed to be the guru of Bhogar and their relationship as the Guru and disciple was very much admirable. Kalangi Nathar was also called as Kanjamalai Siddhar. Here. “Kanjam” means Gold, copper, and Iron and “Malai” means hill. It is a popular pilgrimage spot and special pooja is done on all full moon days and new moon days.
The temple is associated with prominent Siddhars namely seven of them those include: Indran, Soman, Rudhran, Kanduru, Brahman, Kanjamalaiyan and Kalangi Nathar.
The temple is in the foothills and is surrounded by various herbs that has curative properties. People take a dip in the water running there and consider it to be holy. It is believed that Kalangi Nathar went to China to spread the Knowledge of Yoga and Acupuncture.
Later, he took Jeeva Samadhi at Kancheepuram. If you visit Salem, please visit the temple for a new experience.
A very popular temple of Salem that is located at Tharamangalam. It is an ancient temple of India that is there for about 500-1000 years now.
Sri Kailasanathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. They are in the name of Kailasanathar and Sivakami Amman.
The door facing towards the west direction is made up of Vengai woods and the temple has a stone wall that is quite huge with a measurement of 306′ by 164′ and was constructed in the 13th century.
The walls are decorated with iron rods that are non-rusted ones with different patterned wooden carvings of Vishnu’s avatar, which can never be seen in a Shiva Temple. The entrance is about 90ft tall with 5 storeys and looks like a chariot that is driven by elephants and horses. It is believed that when enemies elephants attack, they get hit by the iron rods. The vehicle of Lord Shiva, Nandi lies at the entrance. The Miracle that happens that needs to be mentioned is that the Sun light falls on the Horns of Nandi on the 9th, 10th and 11th of Masi month of the Tamil Calendar and the light reflects like a crescent on the idol of Lord Shiva.
People pray for the fulfillment of their wishes like a child born, marriage, getting the right job etc. After the fulfillment of their prayers, they come back to the temple and Abhishekam is done to Lord Shiva just as a way of thanking the Lord.
The temple is open to the public from 6.00 a.m. To 11.00 a.m. And from 5.00 p.m. To 8.00 p.m. Do visit the temple when you plan a trip to Salem and experience the beauty of the temple.
Sugavaneswarar Temple is situated at cherry road, fort, Salem.
The temple is 500 years old and exhibits our country’s heritage at its best. Evidences of the rule of the great kings Cheran, Chozan, and Pandian can be witnessed here.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is in the name Sugavaneswarar along with his consort Goddess Parvathi in the name Maragathavalli or Sornambigai.
The other deity here is valamburi Vinayagar with two faces. The temple spread over two acres of land has Shiva, Parvathi and Vinayaga who are known as the “Mummoorthigal” and the place is quite popular among Shivites.
The Story goes like this. Lord Brahma was sharing a secret with few while Sage Shuka an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva eavesdropped and was cursed by Lord Brahma and he turned into a parrot. Brahma said, that he would be relieved of the curse when he worships Lord Shiva at Papanasam. One day Sage Sukha came along with other parrots to worship Shiva. An hunter seeing this wanted to drive away all the parrots. Hence, all the parrots hid in the nearby ant hill. Hunter started attacking the parrots while Sage Shuka spread his wings over the lingam to protect it. In this course he was killed and the Lingam also was damaged a little and got tilted to a side. Thus, Sage Shuka was relieved of his curse and he pleaded Shiva to stay there in the name of Sugavaneswarar (Parrot+eswar). Obliging the request, Shiva stayed there to bless his devotees.
The speciality of the temple is the tilted Lingam which cannot be seen anywhere else. People pray Shiva for good health, wealth, prosperity, effects of planets, bad omen of Lizard falling anywhere on the body etc.
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. You must visit the temple when you are here at Salem to have a different experience as it is one of its kind.
Skandasramam Murugan Temple is located at Udayapatti, Salem. The temple resides on a hill lock surrounded by the serene beauty of the nature.
As the name suggests, here main deity is Lord Muruga along with other deities. Lord Ganesha is huge and has five faces and is named as Panchamukha Vinayagar. Even Lord Anjaneya is five faced here. This temple is the only place where Goddess Shakthi and her son Lord Muruga face each other to give bliss and blessings to the devotees.
People pray for child birth, wealth and prosperity. Skandasramam was built by Skandananda in the 20th century.
It is believed that Lord Muruga appeared in the dreams of Skandananda and ordered him to build a temple dedicated to him. Since then, the sage started searching for an apt place and finally settled down at the Udayapatti hill lock and raised a temple.
There are two small hairpin bends that take you to the temple. You can climb up the hill enjoying the natural beauty surrounding the place.
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m. To 12.00 a.m. And from 4.00 p.m. To 9.30 p.m. Visit the place when you visit Salem and stay blessed.
1008 Shiva Temple, Salem
Temples are a place that can give peace to a great extent. One such temple is the 1008 lingam temple that is located at Kanyakumari Hwy, Ariyanur, Salem.
1008 Shiva Temple was constructed by Vinayaka Mission Institutions on a hill on the Sangagiri highway near to the center. The temple with 1008 lingams is constructed on a hill and on the foothills, there is a huge Ganesha idol that welcomes the devotees.
The specialty of the temple is that the Nandi placed in front of each Lingam looks the same. The guide of the place explains every detail of the temple and the best way to enjoy the visit is to walk up the hill if you can walk provided you are healthy and young.
While you walk, you get to see each and every lingam clearly with a better view. Nevertheless, a bike ride or a car drive up the hill is also allowed to see the beauty of the temple.
Surrounded by greenery all over, the temple also has other sannidhis dedicated to Lord Muruga, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Goddess Raja Rajeshwari, Lord Anjaneya etc.
The main deity here happens to be Umaiyambigai Samedha Sri Arunachala Sundareswara which is about 17 feet tall. Sincere prayers to him make the climbing a cakewalk.
A place to be surely visited in Salem. So, make it a priority to visit the place to enjoy the nature combined with divinity.
Vekkali Amman Temple is also a well-known temple and is dedicated to Goddess Kali. It is located at Woraiyur, a suburban place in Tiruchirapalli district.The Temple faces the North direction which is said to give us victory.
Residents of Woraiyur consider this Goddess as the guarding angel. It is said the temple has been in existence from the period of Cholas and they used the visit the temple and seek blessings, every time they went to war place.
The foot of the Goddess here is different when compared to other deities. It is placed on an asura assuring protection to her devotees and also shows her energy levels.
Six festivals are celebrated yearly and seven temple rituals are performed on a daily basis. The Goddess is worshipped with full of devotion to all the rituals and with divine music. Witness the divinity and seek blessings from the Kali when you are here.
Arulmigu Madana Gopala Swamy Temple is situated on the Melamasi street in Madurai. It is exactly located at the Periyar bus stand on the eastern side of Immayil Nanmai Tharuvar Koil.
Here, the main deity is Madana Gopala Swamy with Bama and Rukmini. A goddess shrine in the temple is in the name of Madhuravalli Thayar. Main vrishksha in the temple is Plantain tree.
History says that Lord Shiva after marrying Meenakshi, ascended to the throne of Madurai as Sundara Pandiyan. Then he went into penance deep and got engulfed in flames of fire due to his body’s temperature. Destruction of the world commenced, and devas approached Lord Vishnu. Then Vishnu tries to stop Lord Shiva, but in vain. Then Vishnu understands divine music from his flute can calm down Lord Shiva. Hence, he becomes Madana Gopalan and starts playing his flute and Lord Shiva immediately comes out of his penance.
As per the request of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu resides in Madurai taking the form of Madana Gopalan under the Ashtanga vimanam holding the flute as Vishwaroopa Kanna.
The general belief is that, one who aspires to shine as musicians, come to this temple seek blessings. It is said that Andal came here with periyazhwar, and prayed the Lord here before becoming one with the God.
The temple is open for the devotees 6.40 a.m. To 12.00 a.m. And from 5.00 p.m. To 9.00 p.m. So, now you know what to do? Isn’t it? Don’t delay. Go and meet Krishna in the form of Madanagopalan if you visit Madurai or if you are a resident of Madurai.
The Sri Veeraraghava Perumal temple is located on the Veeraraghava Perumal Street, Madurai. This temple dates back to the 16th century AD and is a pretty old temple to our knowledge built during the times of Chokkappa Naicker.
The temple is located on the South Masi Street, Madurai and the main deity here is Lord Vishnu in the name of Sri Veeraraghava Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi and his consort Goddess Lakshmi in the name of Kanakavalli.
Lord Vishnu in this temple has three forms, namely; sleeping posture – Ranganathar, standing posture – Veeraraghava Perumal, sitting posture – yoga Narasimhar.
Saturdays are special for Lord Vishnu, but this temple sees a large number of devotees on Fridays.
It is believed that, Thirumalai Nayakar found the idol of the Veeraraghava Perumal in the waters of Vaigai river at Mandiyur and slowly made it a custom to make Kallazhagar visit Veeraraghava Perumal on Chitra pournami day every year.
It is also believed that Manduka Maharishi was liberated from the curse given by Durvasa Muni by Azhagar and he attained salvation. Thirumalai Nayakar used to park his vehicle and it is believed so. Hence, Mandiyur slowly became Vandiyur.
This temple is open to all from 6:00AM to 11:00AM and 4:00PM to 8:30PM. Many beliefs have made people visit the temple often.
Prayers for marriage, childbirth, salvation, etc. have been fulfilled by the Almighty here. The Perumal has also proved to be curative here.
Image Attribution : Chitraveethikaaran
