This temple is 119th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva sthalam and 2nd Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. During 6th to 7th Century this place was called as Kadambathurai and now called as Kulithalai / Kuzhithalai and the inscriptions mentions as, Kulirthandalai. This place is on the way to Karur from Tiruchirappalli. It is believed that it will be auspicious to worship "Morning Kadambar at Kulithalai, after noon Rathnagiriswarar at Thiruvatpokki and Evening Sri Maragadachaleswarar at Thiru Engoi malai". Since the temple is facing North similar to Kashi, hence called as Dakshina Kashi.
In Periya Puranam Sekkizhar records that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal Visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirupparaithurai. But he didn’t mentioned this temple in particular.
சிலந்திக்கு அருளும் கழல்வணங்கக் செஞ்சொல் மாலை பலபாடிஇலங்கு சடையார் எறும்பியூர் மாலையும் இறைஞ்சிப் பாடியபின்மலர்ந்த சோதித் திருச்சிராப் பள்ளி மலையும் கற்குடியும்நலங்கொள் செல்வத் திருப்பராய்த் துறையும் தொழுவான் நண்ணினார்……… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Ayadigal kadavarkon and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
பூமென் கோதையுமை யொருபாகனைஓமம் செய்தும் உணர்மின்கள் உள்ளத்தால்காமற் காய்ந்த பிரான் கடம்பந்துறைநாம மேத்த நந்தீவினை நாசமே……… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் அழகு திரிகுரம்பை ஆங்கது விட்டாவிஒழுகும் பொழுதறிய ஒண்ணா – கழுகுகழித்துண்ட லையாமுன் காவிரியின் தென்பால்குழித் தண்டலை யானைக்கூறு……….. ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன் --- கோட் போக்கி நில்லுங்கடம்ப நெறிபோல் எனப்பூவசொல்லுங் கடம்பந்துறை நிறைவே………. திரு அருட்பாசிற்றிடையும் இருகரமும் சேவடியும் மலர்முகமும்’ பற்றிடுவோர் வினையொழிக்கும் பரங்கருணைத் திருநோக்கும்உற்றடியார் பணிகடம்ப வனமேவும் ஒருதேவிமுற்றிலா முலையம்மை முளரிலமலை அடிபோற்றி……… கடம்பவனமான்மியம் . அம்பாள் துதி
Moolavar : Sri Kadambavaneswarar, Sri Kadambavana Nathar.Consort : Sri Bala Kujalambal, Sri Mutrillamulayal.Sthala Viruksham : Kadamba Tree.
Some of the important features of this temple are...The Kadambar temple is at the center of Kulithalai and facing north with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. A mandapam is in front of Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Murugan and Parvati as Rishabaroodar, Vinayagar and murugan are on the top of the mandapam. The Dwajasthambam passes through the hole made in the roof. Balipeedam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram.
In sanctum, Moolavar is of Swayambhu. Saptamatrikas ( most of the websites wrongly mentions as Saptakannis ) are on the back side wall of Moolavar sannadhi in the form of bas- relief. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. The Dwarapalakas. Sri Dindi and Sri Mundi are beautifully chiseled.
Sri Chandikeswarar is in a small pillar mandapam. Shaniswarar and Vinayagar are not in the usual place. There are two Natarajar, of one is with muyalagan and other without muyalagan. In prakaram Chandikeswarar, Agora Veerabhadra, Pancha Lingas, Jyeshta Devi, Nalvar, 63 var, Sekkizhar, Vishwanathar, Vinayagar, Subramaniyar with Valli Devasena, Somaskandar, Gajalakshmi and Bhairavar.
Ambal is in a separate temple like sannadhi immediately after the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam are in front of Ambal sannadhi. Ambal temple is facing east.
The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapa and a mukha mandapam. A Vesara Vimana is on the sanctum. Though the temple is very old, there is no inscriptions found in this temple to ascertain the age /antiquity of the temple.
The 15th Century sage Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Murugan of this temple.
கணபணபு யங்கமுங் கங்கையுந் திங்களுங் குரவுமறு குங்குறுந் தும்பையுங் கொன்றையுங் கமழ்சடில சம்புவுங் கும்பிடும் பண்புடைக் குருநாதா கனகுடகில் நின்றகுன் றந்தருஞ் சங்கரன் குறுமுனிக மண்டலங் கொண்டு முன் கண்டுங் கதிசெய்நதி வந்துறுந் தென்கடம் பந்துறைப் பெருமாளே
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince Lord Shiva of this temple was praised by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, the original temple might have existed since 6th Century. The same was reconstructed as a stone Temple during Chozha period and latter extended by Vijayanagaras.
LEGENDSThis temple is Considered as equivalent to Madurai temple, since the presence of Kadamba tree as sthala vruksham, Lord Shiva in this temple is called as Sundarar and Lord Shiva showed Madurai Thirumana Kolam / Marriage posture, to Devasharma. Maha Vishnu, Lord Muruga, Brahma, Saptamatrikas, Deva Sharma, Kannuva Muni and Agasthiyar Worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
Paramanathar is the guarding deity of this temple. The right hand is in the saluting posture. Devotees performs abhishek with honey and offer porridge made of Pasi corn and praying to protect their houses also.
In another Legend Agasthiyar came to this place and worshiped all the three temples daily morning, afternoon and evening ie, Kadambathurai, Vatpooki and Engoi malai for many years.
In another legend Somugasuran stole all the 4 vedas and hide deep in the ocean. Maha Vishnu came to this temple and worshiped Lord Shiva before getting back the 4 vedas. With the blessings of Lord Shiva Maha Vishnu took the Macha avathara and retrieved back the 4 vedas after killing Somugan.
In another legend, while Lord Shiva was explaining the meaning of Pranava mantra. Lord Muruga got relieved from the curse after worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple. Since ma Parvati also blessed him, this place is called as Kandapuram.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on 13 days Brahmotsavam in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), Thai Poosam in the month Thai ( Jan – feb ), Vaikasi Visakam in the month Vaikasi ( May – June ), Skanda Sashti in the month Aippasi ( October – November ), Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni ( March – April ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradosham.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs
CONTACT DETAILSThe Land line number +91 4323 225 228 may be contacted for further details.Temple Website: http://www.kadambartemple.tnhrce.in/
HOW TO REACH : Town buses are available from Chatram bus stand. Buses From Tiruchirappalli to Karur, Namakkal and Manaparai passes through Kulithalai.The temple is 9 KM from Iyermalai / Ayyarmalai, 18.1 KM from Thirupparaithurai, 41 Km from Tiruchirappalli & Karur, 93 KM from Thanjavur and 355 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway Station is Kulithalai.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Maha Vishnu Stucco image 
Temple Car
Temple car wooden sculptures 
Temple car wooden sculptures --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Ayadigal kadavarkon and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
……… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்
--- கோட் போக்கி
சிற்றிடையும் இருகரமும் சேவடியும் மலர்முகமும்’
……… கடம்பவனமான்மியம் . அம்பாள் துதி
Since Lord Shiva of this temple was praised by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, the original temple might have existed since 6th Century. The same was reconstructed as a stone Temple during Chozha period and latter extended by Vijayanagaras.
Maha Vishnu Stucco image
Temple Car
Temple car wooden sculptures
Temple car wooden sculptures
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