8th 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 8th 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 12-13th 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 8th 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.
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
3rd 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.
PS: This story has been edited, subsequently.
20 comments:
lovely post!! thandoni malai is my mom's family's kula deivam and i have visited the temple often, and love going there.. enjoyed reading about it on your blog!
Madam,
Thank You for reading and the kind words.
Prabhu
Sir,
Iam 75 years old and Lord Kalyanavenkataramanaswamy is our family diety.My father and grand father were from south street Karur.I am visiting the temple since my childhood.But I have never heard repeat never heard of offering one foot wear any time.Can you kindly inform on which basis this information is written in your blog.
There is ,however tha practice of chislling the foot marks of every child born in our family on the foot steps leading to the darshan of the Lord
K.Gopalakrishna Rao
Sir,
Thanks for reading and the message.
This information is from appropriate authority at the temple.
I will post relevant photographs of this shortly/in due course.
Prabhu
Respected sir
Iam visiting this temple from my childhood.one ofmy recent visit,its almost closing time in evening we unable to pray properly,so my humble request is if the clossing time postponded one hour ifits 8pm means will be helpful the devotiees like me travelling from long distance.please can you consider this request sir.
Respected sir
Iam visiting this temple from my child hood.thanthoni malai is our kula deivam,recently one ofmy visit is almost clossing time inthe evening,we are unable to pray god proberly ,so my humble request ifthe clossing time postponded to one hour ifits 8pm,will be helpful tothe devoties like me travelling from long distance.please can my request will be considerabe sir.
wow Had the pleasure to visit the temple todat. This is our kulla deivam - thanks met also Harish Bhattar
Hi,
Is there a way to send money to this kovil without having KVB account. We are overseas and want to perform pooja on a regular basis to our kuladeivam Perumal. Please advise on how to send money and get Prasadam.
Many thanks!
Pl visit the below site. There is a link for E donation. You can make
online transfers.
http://www.thanthoniperumal.tnhrce.in/
hi this thanthondri kalyanavenkataramana is my husband kula deivam.There is always a female kula devivam normally a kaval deivam.Anybody know about the goddess in GUNDUKKAL near salem area.The devotees always visit that temple next to thanthondrimalai.Please reply with the temple name and location
Sir, I am 40yrs old & been regular in paying my obeisance since my childhood till date as Shri Thantondri Kalayana Venkataramana is my family deity. Thanks for such an informative post. However, I have never ever come across any such practice as offerings of any kind of footwear to the deity. Can you please clarify as to the authenticity of such an information? I will be grateful to you. Regards.
It is essential to authenticate the information based on reliable records than basing on hearsay
k.g.rao
Same deity is my kula deivam. Happy to hear people still visit there often for blessings. Tradition still prevails.
Sir here the sandal means the sandalwood offering
How many steps have to be climbed?
How many steps have to be climbed?
What is the telephone number.045224255531 no response
Mobile number is provided in the story. That works.
Prabhu
Thank you and very informative. Most important is the mobile number you have provided in the story.
What is the kaval deivam of this temple anyone known abt this?pls reply
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