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Swarnakaaleeswarar Temple

This temple is the 254th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 10th Sthalam in Pandya Naadu. The place was historically known as Kanapereyil (கானபேரெயில்) from the Sangam period and continued to be referred to by this name until the 15th century. According to inscriptions, the name of the place changed to Kalayarkoil starting from the 16th century. An Arab traveler, Thimiski, in his writings from 1325 CE, referred to this location as Kaikan.

Timings

Open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..

Entry Fee

Free of cost

Origin/History :-


The temple is associated with Sundaramoorthy Nayanaar and Varaguna Pandyan. Maruda Pandiyar of the Sivagangai Samasthanam (Kingdom) made significant contributions to the maintenance of the temple. During British rule, the British attempted to destroy the temple to force the Marudu Brothers—devoted to the temple—to surrender. The tombs of the brothers, who were later executed, can be seen near the temple.

On 25 June 1772, the British forces, led by Colonel Joseph Smith and Captain Bonjour, marched towards Kalaiyarkoil. The second king of Sivaganga, Muthu Vaduga Natha Thevar (1750–1772), along with the Maruthu brothers, defended the temple. Anticipating an English invasion, Rajah Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar made preparations for defense. However, he and many of his soldiers were killed in the Kalaiyarkoil battle. After the defeat, the English forces plundered Kalaiyarkoil, looting jewels worth 50,000 pagodas. The temple then became a part of the Sivagangai Devasthanam.

After the British occupation, the temple remained locked and prayers were halted for some time. It was later reopened, with significant repairs and development undertaken by the Devakottai Zamindar. Shree AL.AR.RM. Arunachalam Chettiar, the Zamindar of Devakottai, took sanyasa from Koviloor and moved to the Vedantha Madam at Kalaiyar Kovil. He became known as Shreelashree Zamindar Arunachala Gnana Desiga Swamigal, and his Samadhi is located at the rear of the madam.

After the passing of his father, Devakottai Zamindar AL.AR. Ramaswamy Chettiar, Shri AL.AR.RM.Arunachalam Chettiar, the then Zamindar, established the Devakottai Zamindar Kattalai Endowment (now known as AL.AR. Trust) with a registered agreement to the Sivagangai Devasthanam. This endowment ensures the continuous performance of daily and monthly poojas to God Sorna Kaleeswarar and Sornavalli Amman. The tradition continues to this day, with Mr. AL.AR.K.VR Chinna Veerappan, the Senior Heir of the AL.AR. family, continuing the legacy.


Puranic Significance :-


Do's and Don'ts

  1. Pray to your Ishta Devata before embarking on your pilgrimage to the temple.
  2. Contact the Temple Devasthanam Information Centre for inquiries, temple details, and Pooja schedules.
  3. Reserve your travel and accommodation well in advance to avoid last-minute hassles.
  4. Take a bath and wear clean clothes before entering the temple to maintain purity.
  5. Concentrate on the God and Goddess during your time inside the temple.
  6. Maintain silence and recite "Om Namah Shivaya" or your Ishtamantram to yourself.
  7. Follow ancient customs and traditions while inside the temple to show respect.
  8. Respect the religious sentiments of others and the temple.
  9. Deposit offerings in the designated hundi only.


  1. Do not visit the temple for any purpose other than worshiping the God and Goddess.
  2. Do not smoke anywhere inside the temple.
  3. Do not consume alcoholic beverages within temple premises.
  4. Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the temple.
  5. Do not approach mediators for a quick Darshan, as it may cause inconvenience to other devotees.
  6. Do not carry any weapons inside the temple.
  7. Do not wear head coverings like helmets, caps, turbans, or hats inside the temple.
  8. Do not perform Sastanga Pranama (full prostration) inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  9. Do not spend excessive time while performing Sparsa Darshanam (touching the deity) in the Garbhagriha.
  10. Do not buy prasadams from street vendors, as they may be counterfeit.
  11. Do not encourage beggars within the temple premises.
  12. Do not spit or create any nuisance in or around the temple.


Dress Code

Dress Code for Men:

  1. Clothing: Men should wear traditional attire such as a dhoti or lungi. If wearing pants, they should be plain, light-colored, and respectful (avoid jeans, shorts, or revealing clothing).
  2. Upper wear: A shirt or kurta should be worn, preferably sleeveless tops are avoided.

Dress Code for Women:

  1. Clothing: Women should wear traditional attire like a sari, salwar kameez, or churidars. Skirts, shorts, or revealing clothing should be avoided.
  2. Upper wear: Should be modest, covering the shoulders, and avoid sleeveless tops.

How to reach

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Best time to visit :-


The best season to visit the temple is during the winter months, from November to February. During this period, the weather is cooler and more comfortable, making it ideal for outdoor activities, especially if you're exploring the temple and its surroundings.


How to reach :-



  1. By Air: Madurai International Airport (about 70 km from Kalayarkoil). You can take a flight to Madurai and then hire a taxi or take a bus to reach the temple.
  2. By Bus: Nearest Bus stand: Kalayarkoil Bus Stand.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

Rivers:

  1. Vaigai River – The Vaigai River, one of the major rivers in Tamil Nadu, flows relatively close to Kalayarkoil, contributing to the agricultural and cultural landscape of the region.
  2. Sethusamudram Canal – This canal is another water body in the region, though it is more associated with the coastal areas.


Cities:

  1. Sivaganga (approximately 17 km) – The district headquarters, a historic town with several temples and cultural landmarks.
  2. Madurai (approximately 60 km) – One of the major cities of Tamil Nadu, known for the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple and rich cultural heritage.
  3. Ramanathapuram (approximately 85 km) – A coastal town famous for its temples and proximity to the Gulf of Mannar.