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The temple is praised in the Thevaram hymns of Saint Tirugnana Sambandar. This is the 8th Shiva Temple on the northern bank of Cauvery praised in Thevaram hymns.

Sage Shakti was a staunch Lord Shiva devotee.  When his wife Tirashanti was pregnant, he was killed by a demon Udhiran.  His son was very sad that his mother was a widow when he was born.  He, named Parasara grew into a great scholar in Vedas and scriptures. 

He conducted a yajna to revenge demon Udhiran and accomplished his aim.  However, as he committed a killing, to wash the sin he visited many Shiva temples.  He was granted darshan by the Lord in this place in a handsome form. 

As requested by the sage, Lord Shiva stayed here in the name of Sundareswara.  Sundaram means beauty.  He also bears the name Vilwavana Nathar as the place was dense with Vilwa trees.

Festival:

Theerthavari
in Masi full moon day and Shivrathri in February-March; Purattasi Navarathi in September-October; Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Opening time:

The temple is open from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.



Lord Shiva in the temple is a swayambumurthy.

Devotees believe that consuming vilwa leaves used for the archana of the Lord have all the medical effects to cure diseases.  Saint Tirugnana Sambandar, in his Thevarm hymn states that worshipping Lord of the temple would relieve the devotee of his ailments and ensure prosperity. 

There is a shrine for Lord Viswanatha in the prakara.  As the place has Lord Shiva removing all hardships (kali), the place is named Kalikamoor.

There are Shiva temples with more than one Vinayaka side by side in a single shrine.  Here, besides a shrine for one Vinayaka, two Vinayakas are at the entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum on both sides as dwarapalakas. 

Traditionally, in temples on the bank of rivers, Lord Shiva visits the river for Theerthavari, a bathing festival.  In this temple, on the Masi Magam day, Mother Ambica alone is taken to the sea shore for Theerthavari


Do's:

  • Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
  • Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
  • Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
  • Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
  • Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
  • Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
  • Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
  • Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
  • Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.

Don't s:

  • Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
  • Do not smoke at Temple.
  • Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
  • Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
  • Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
  • Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
  • Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
  • Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  • Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
  • Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
  • Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
  • Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.