Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1805 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
Early medieval · Hindu · India

Karapuranathar Temple

Uthamacholapuram, Salem district, Tamil Nadu · 11.6123°, 78.1034°

Shiva, as a swayambhu lingamUndeterminedSouth Indian
Sacred since
800 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
9th c.
Undetermined

History & significance

A ninth-century Shiva temple near the west bank of the Thirumanimutharu at Uthamacholapuram, its name compounded from karai (riverbank), puram (place) and nathar (lord). Local historical tradition links the village to the Sangam-age story of Vel Pari, the poet Kapilar and the marriage of Pari's daughters.

Sthala katha — the legend

A devotee named Karadhushan is said to have thrown himself into fire to prove his devotion; Shiva put the flames out, and is worshipped here as Karapuranathar in memory of it.

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Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram
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Thiruvanpurushothamam
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Perarulaalan Perumal Temple (Thirusemponsei Koil)
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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-27 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Undetermined