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Venni Karumbeswarar Temple

It is one of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams, the revered Shiva temples glorified in the hymns of the Tamil Saivite Nayanmars, Thirugnana Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar. This is the 219th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 102nd temple located on the southern bank of the Cauvery River in the Chozha Nadu region.

Timings

The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m

Entry Fee

Free of cost

Origin/History :-


The Venni Karumbeswarar Temple, located in Koil Venni, is historically significant as the birthplace of the Tamil scholar Vennikuyathiar from the Sangam Age. One of her songs in Purananuru references the Battle of Venni (Vennippor), a major war fought around 190 CE between the Chola king Karikala and the Pandya and Chera rulers. This battle resulted in a decisive victory for Karikala Chola, leading to the starvation and death of Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan.

Karikala Chola, who was blessed by Mother Pidari Amman, won this battle at the age of 18 and credited his victory to her divine blessings. In celebration of his success, he contributed significantly to the development and renovation of this temple. Emperor Muchukunda is also believed to have played a role in the temple's restoration.

The temple is further glorified in the Thevaram hymns sung by Tamil Saivite saints Tirugnanasambandar and Thirunavukkarasar during the 7th century CE. Devotees of Pidari Amman are believed to be protected from enemies, a sentiment recorded in an epigraphic note mentioning this as a "Great Victory."

This historical context ties the temple to significant events in early Tamil history, particularly the reign and achievements of Karikala Chola.


Puranic Significance :-



 area around the temple was once filled with dense sugarcane fields. Two sages visiting this region sensed Lord Shiva’s presence. One sage proposed that the sacred tree of the temple should be sugarcane, while the other believed it should be Venni (Nandhiavartham). As they debated, a divine voice from Lord Shiva declared that both trees would be accepted as sacred.

Thus, Lord Shiva came to be worshipped as Karumbeswarar in Tamil and Rasapureeswarar in Sanskrit. The place was initially called Venniyur, after the Venni tree, but over time, it became known as Koil Venni.

Do's and Don'ts

  1. Pray to Your Ishta Devata before starting your pilgrimage to the temple.
  2. Contact the Temple Devasthanam Information Center for inquiries, temple information, and pooja details.
  3. Reserve Travel and Accommodation at the temple well in advance.
  4. Take a Bath and Wear Clean Clothes before entering the temple.
  5. Concentrate on the Deity inside the temple.
  6. Maintain Silence and recite your Ishta Mantra to yourself while inside.
  7. Observe Ancient Customs and Traditions while in the temple.
  8. Deposit Offerings in the Hundi Only.
  1. Do Not Visit the Temple for any purpose other than worshipping God and Goddess.
  2. Do Not Smoke in the temple.
  3. Do Not Consume Alcoholic Drinks on the temple premises.
  4. Do Not Eat Non-Vegetarian Food in the Kshetram.
  5. Do Not Approach Mediators for quick darshan, as it may inconvenience others.
  6. Do Not Carry Weapons into the temple.
  7. Do Not Wear Headgear like helmets, caps, turbans, or hats inside the temple premises.


Dress Code

For Men:

  1. Traditional Attire: Wear a dhoti or lungi; shirts should be modest and preferably sleeved.
  2. Guidelines: Avoid shorts, sleeveless shirts, and tight-fitting clothes.

For Women:

  1. Traditional Attire: Wear a saree, salwar kameez, or churidar; ensure modesty.
  2. Guidelines: Avoid short dresses, sleeveless tops, and shorts; cover shoulders and knees.

How to reach

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How to reach :-


  1. By Air: Tiruchirappalli International Airport (around 90 km away). From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Thiruvarur and then to the temple.
  2. By Train: Thiruvarur Junction (about 23 km from the temple). Regular trains connect Thiruvarur with major cities. From the station, you can hire a taxi or take a local bus to the temple.

Nearby Cities and Rivers

The Venni Karumbeswarar Temple is located in Koil Venni, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated near the Cauvery River, an important river in the region that flows close to many sacred sites in Tamil Nadu.

Nearby Cities:

  1. Thiruvarur (approx. 23 km away)
  2. Kumbakonam (approx. 28 km away)
  3. Thanjavur (approx. 37 km away)

These cities are well-known for their rich cultural heritage, temples, and historical significance, making the region a major pilgrimage area for devotees.