Thanthoni Malai Kalyana Venkatramana Swamy

8^th Century AD Rock cut Cave Temple bears similarity in Architecture to the Narasimha temple at Namakkal

Prarthana Sthalam for the unmarried and the Childless

Located 4kms from Karur on the Dindigul highway is the 8^th Century AD historical Rock cut Cave temple of Kalyana Venkatramana Swamy in Thanthoni Malai where the 10feet Swayambu Lord is seen in a majestic standing posture facing the West. The temple tower has been constructed right at the top of the huge rock.

The wide sanctum of Kalyana Venkatramana Swamy has been carved along the cave out of the rock.

The Maha Mandapa and other Sannidhis at the temple were a later time additions possibly in the 12-13^th Century AD.

Similar to Thanjai Maa Mani Narasimha Sanctum

Inside the sanctum, that reminds one of Thanjai Maa Mani Narasimha Divya Desam both in terms of the huge size of the Moolavar Lord as well as the big sized Sanctum, there are 16 specially carved sculptures each of whom is seen playing a musical instrument.

Piece of Rock falls at Thanthoni Malai

When a fight broke out between the Serpant King Adhisesha and the Wind God Vayu as to whowas more stronger and who played a more important role, Lord Vishnu asked Adhisesha to hold on to the Tirumala Hills and Vayu to try and remove the hills from the clutches of the Serpant Lord.

An angry Vayu who could not remove from Adhisesha’s hold turned into a cyclone. Pieces of the rock from the hills fell in different places. One such piece is the rock we find here at Thanthoni Malai in Karur where Venkatachalapathy provides darshan as Kalyana Venkatramana perumal.

Another story goes that Susarma who did not have a child invoked the blessings of Lord Vishnu. He was asked to come to the rock here.  Pleased with his prayers, Lord Vishnu provided darshan as Kalyana Venkatramana Perumal and blessed him with a child.

Construction

Chola King Muchukunda, a Saivite devotee, was cursed to have the face of a monkey.  To liberate himself from the curse, he built several Vishnu temples including the two perumal temples of Karur- this one at Thanthonimalai and the Abhaya Pradhana Ranganatha temple in the city of Karur.

Later on, Thirumalai Nayak of Madurai contributed to the temple.

Historical Cave temple

The Cave Temple here at Thanthoni Malai was excavated in the 8^th Century AD. There is a similarity of this rock and the cave structure with the architecture seen at the Narasimha temple at Namakkal about 45kms from here though the Thanthoni Malai rock cave is a little bigger than the one at the Narasimha temple in Namakkal.

Prarthana Sthalam 
Those who offer their sincere prayers and present this slipper as suggested by Kalyana Venkatramana Perumal have their wedding wishes fulfilled.

Thiru Kalyana Utsavam is a special feature at this temple. On Shravanam Star every month, there is a special abhisheka performed for childless couples. There is a daily Thirumanjanam at this temple every day at 1130am for the Moolavar deity.

Festivals 

Two Brahmotsavams- One in Maasi and One in Puratasi

Pavitrotsavam in Avani

Navarathri Utsavam

On the third day after Maasi, Theppotsavam is celebrated in a grand manner at this temple.

There is a big temple tank on the Western side of the temple.

Chariot Festival on the Thiruvonam day in Puratasi and Magam day in Maasi

Puratasi 3^rd Saturday is a special occasion at this temple

Quick Facts

Moolavar: Venkatramana Swamy in a West Facing Standing Posture

Thaayar  : No Separate thaayar ( Mahalakshmi is seen on the chest of the Lord)

Utsavar   : Srinivasa Perumal

Time       : 6am-1pm, 3pm-7pm

Contact   : Harish Bhattar @ 98940 17928

How to reach

Chennai Egmore- Mangalore Express via Tiruchirapalli reaches Karur @ 630am

Direct Trains to Karur from Coimbatore, Mysore, Bangalore

From Karur Station, auto will cost Rs.70 to the temple

From Karur Bus Stand, auto will cost Rs. 50/-

Local buses and mini buses to Thanthoni malai both from Railway Station and Bus Stand

PS: This story has been edited, subsequently.