# Karur

Karur is a town of some 10,76,588 (2011 census) people in Central Tamil Nadu.

## Understand

Karur district has a very rich and varied cultural heritage. The town and the countryside is made fertile by the perennial flows of the Kaveri River on the northern side (Thavittupalayam, Vangal, Muniyappanur, Kattalai (confluence of Kaveri River and Amaravati River) Mayanur, Kulithalai) and also the Amaravati, Nalkasi, Kudaganar and Noyyal rivers. The area is famous for its hand-loom textile products.

## Speak

Tamil is the language spoken in Karur. The accent of Tamil spoken here is the closest to Coimbatore (Kongu Tamil). English is understood by few in the town. Hindi is neither spoken nor understood by the majority of the people.

## Get in

Karur is well connected with rest of India through all modern means of transportation.
It is the major junction point of three roadways connecting:
* Bangalore & Salem to Madurai & Tirunelveli.
* Coimbatore & Tirupur to Trichy & Tanjore.
* Mangalore, Mysore & Erode to Trichy, Madurai & Thoothukudi.

## See
### Famous temples

* Kalyana Pasupatheeshwara Swamy Temple - Shiva temple: Pasupathieswarer temple is one of the chief attractions of Karur. Pasupathieswarer temple, which dates back to the time of Cholas, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is considered among the seven Sivalayams or the Sivasthalams or the holy abodes of Lord Shiva in western Tamil Nadu, the others being Thirunanaa (Bhavani) Sangameshwarar temple, Tiruchengode Arthanareeswarar temple, Tirumurugapoondi Tirumuruganathaswamy temple, Tiruppandikodumudi (Kodumudi) Kodumudinathar temple, Tiruppukkoliyur (Avinasi) Avinasiappar temple and Venjamaakudal Vigirthanatheswarar temple. The temple is noted for its five-foot-high Pasupathieswarer Linga which is represented by a group of five sculptures. This linga, situated in the sanctum sanctorum, is also shown as being bathed by the milk oozing from the rudder of a cow.
* Sri Balasubramania Swamy Temple - Vennamalai
* Kalyana Venkataramana Swamy - Thanthontri Malai: Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple is one of the popular destinations at Karur. This temple is situated at Thanthoni, which is about 5 km away from Karur. Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple is popularly known as Then (south) Tirupathi. This temple situated atop a hillock, is dedicated to Lord Srinivasa (Vishnu), who is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum along with his consorts Goddesses Sri Devi and Bhoomi Devi. The most auspicious occasion at Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple is the Deepam festival which is conducted during September – October. Other famous festivals of Kalyana Venkattaramasami temple are the 22-day-long Purattasi festival and the Masi Maha car festival.
* Shree Karuvur Mariyamman Temple, Karur: Sri Mariamman temple is one of the most important temples in Karur. This temple, situated towards the center of Karur, is the second-largest Amman temple in Tamil Nadu. The most auspicious occasion at Sri Mariamman temple is the annual festival which is held during the month of May. In this festival, 'Kumbam' is brought out of the Amman temple, is carried to River Arkavathi, accompanied by a huge procession. This Kumbam is then lowered to the river bed with due respect. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety regardless of religion and caste at Karur.
* Sadasiva Brahmeendral Temple/Jeeva Samadhi - Nerur: around 10 km from Karur, Nerur is one of the scenic destinations at Karur. Nerur, situated on the banks of River Cauvery, is known for its lush vegetation. This place is also the abode of the Samadhi of Saint Sadashiva Brahmendra, who was the disciple of Sri Parama Sivendra Saraswathi, the 57th Guru in charge of Kanchipuram Matt. This Samadhi was built by Vijaya Ragunatha Thondaiman of Thondaiman Dynasty who ruled over the Kingdom of Pudukkottai. A handful of sand, believed to be written on by Saint Sadashiva Brahmendra, is preserved at the Pudukkottai Palace.

### Karur district temples

* Shree Abayapradhana Ranganathar Temple, Karur
* Shree ArupadaiMurugan Temple, Pugazhimalai: Pugazhimalai Shree Arupadai Murugan temple is one of the popular pilgrimage destinations located towards the north west of Karur, at Pugalur. Pugazhimalai Shree Arupadai Murugan temple is an ancient temple, situated atop a hillock at Velayuthanpalayam nearby Cauvery, constructed during the time of Cheras. This temple, dedicated to Lord Murugan (Subramanian), is famous for its sculptural excellence. Thaipoosam, celebrated during the first week of February every year, is the most auspicious occasion at this temple when the devotees carry ‘kavady’ to this temple. The deity, placed in the chariot, is also pulled around the temple at night.
* Sholiyamman Temple, Attur
* Shree Pudhu Vangalamman Temple, Vangal
* Sellandiyamman Temple, Madhukkarai
* Mahalaksmiamman Temple, Mahadhanapuram
* Puthu Kaliyamman Temple, Manmangalam
* Tirukkanmalleswarar Temple, Krishnarayapuram
* Vasantha perumal Temple, Kadavur
* Kadambar Temple, Kulithalai
* Neelameegha perumal Temple, Kulithalai
* Siva Temple, Iyermalai
* Siva Temple, Shivayam
* Iyyapan Temple, Lalapet (1st Iyyapa Temple in Tamil Nadu)
* Sri Jaya Anjaneya, Lalapet (300 Years Old)
* Murugan Temple, Togamalai
* Malleeshwarar Temple, Rangamalai
* Vyakarapuriswarar temple, Puliyur (13 century temple)
* Pazhayaseevaram is yet another famous temple situated in the vicinity of Tirumukkudal temple, which is dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha.
* Sellandiyamman Temple and Mariyamman Temple are famous temples in Mayanur which are visited by the pilgrims visiting Karur.

### Other places of interest

* Mayanur - Kaveri bed regulator, riverside park: Mayanur is a famous pilgrimage destination offered by Karur. Mayanur, which lies on the course of River Cauvery, is located on Karur Trichy main road, at a distance of 21 km from Karur.
* Chettipalayam - Amaravathi bed regulator, park
* Noyyal - Kaveri-Noyyal rivers coincide here
* Neyyal village is one of the attractions at Karur. Neyyal village is situated on the banks of River Neyyal and River Cauveri (Ponni). Neyyal village is considered as a sacred area as it lies besides the converging point of sacred rivers, Neyyal and Cauveri. Neyyal village is also famous for its ancient Sellandiyamman temple.
* Nerur - Sacred madham, meditation, riverside park
* Kadavur - Ponniyar dam, park
* District Museum, Karur
* Tirumukkudal - Kaveri-Amaravathi rivers coincide here. Tirumukkudal is a popular pilgrimage destination offered by Karur, which is situated about 4 km away from Walajabad. The name ‘Tirumukkudal’ stands for mukkudal or the union of three sacred rivers - Palar, Cheyyar and Vegavati. Tirumukkudal is recognized as a heritage site by the Archaeological Survey of India. This is an ancient temple constructed during the reign of early rulers of the Thondaiman Dynasty. The temple is dedicated to Lord Agasthiswarar and his consort Anjanakshi.

## Do

* Visit Kalyana Pasupatheeshwarar Temple - This temple has a great history and believe to bring good deeds equivalent to that of visiting 12 main Shiva temples in North India.

## Buy

Karur is famous for blankets. Definitely buy blankets from cooperative stores. Its also famous for mosquito net which is being exported to other countries.

## Eat

Karur is for its garam (combination of puffed rice, onions, beetroot and spicy chutney).

## Sleep

* Hotel Hemala, # 9, Police Lane Street, ☏ +91 4324-262922, fax: +91 4324-263424, reservations@hotelhemala.com.
* Hotel Perrys, 999, Kovai Road (Opposite Bus-Stand exit), ☏ +91 4324241656. Double, single rooms, AC/Non AC rooms available, 24-hr check-out.
* The Residency, Karur, 179, Allwin Nagar, Coimbatore Main Road, ☏ +91 43242 40099, fax: +91 43242 40808, reskarur@theresidency.com. Check-in: 24/7, check-out: 24/7.

## Go next

* Kolli Hills
* Kodaikanal
* Dindigul
* Erode
* Coimbatore
* Namakkal