Karivaradarajar Irugur
Vaishnavite Temples, Coimbatore District
God
Karivaradaraja Perumal, facing east
Goddess
Sreedevi and Bhoodevi along with the main deity, facing east
Other Deities
Bala Garudan, Garudan, Anjaneya
Karivaradarajar Irugur is a east facing temple with entrance from the west. A large 5 tiered Rajagopuram is under construction. This complex which also has the Neelakanteswarar temple is said to be one of the 46 west facing Shiva Temples in Tamilnadu. In ancient times this place is said to have been in two parts called Ponnur and Mannur. Later they were combined together by a Tribal chief called Iruvan and received the name Irugur. Descendants of Sage Markandeya are the hereditary custodians and still perform the rituals at this temple.
Holy Water (Theertham) – Sivagangai Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vanni (Prosopis cineraria)
History
Karivaradarajar Irugur temple’s antiquity (combined with that of the Neelakanteswarar Temple) is evident from the various mentions in the form of copper plates, stone inscriptions and palm leaf manuscripts found here and in various other locations including Government Oriental Manuscripts Library, Karikala’s Chola Poorva Pattayam (copper plates), Thirumurugan Poondi, Kovilpalayam and Anniyur shiva temples. Veeracheralan (835 CE), Amarabuyangara Perumal (985CE), Uthama Chola (1110 CE), Rajaraja Chola (1120 CE), Karikala (1152 CE), Kongu Veera Pandiyan (1265-1285 CE) and Tipu Sultan (1782) have rendered services to this temple.
Legend
No information.
Directions
Karivaradarajar Irugur is in Irugur which is about 13 kilometers east of Coimbatore. The temple is outside the Irugur Railway Station and adjacent to the Bus stand.
Stay and Food
None locally. Closest is Coimbatore. A small shop sells hot fried snacks and good tea right next to the temple.
