Karaiyar is located on the hilly terrain of Western Ghats close to Papanasam in Thirunelveli District. The Temple is situated in a whopping area amidst dense foresty. Hence Devotees coming to this Temple by their vehicles ought to obtain a pass issued by the Forest Department. The ambience of the Temple which is located in a picturesque backdrop of the Podhigai Hills and River Thamirabharani is awe inspiring to the Devotees, espicially to those who come here for the first time. This Temple is believed to have been visited by Sage Agasthiyar. After a few centuries it is said that this Temple was totally engulfed by Mother Earth. This place happened to be the meeting point of the merchants who,lived during the days of Chola and Cheras. During one such commercial activity of the merchants a Cow Hoof hit upon one of the Idols hidden beneath the Earth. The merchants and villagers immediately dug out the entire area in and around this place and excavated the Idols of Sori Muthu Iyyanar, Sangili Boothathar, Mahalinga Swamy and others and built a Temple in this place. To the North of the Shrine of Sorimuthu Ayyanar is a small Sub Shrine for Mahalinga Swami and a Nandhi Vaahanam is seen facing this Sannadhi. There is a North facing Sub Shrine of Sri Sangili Boothathar and next to Him is an Idol of Sage Agasthiyar. The Presiding Deity of this Temple is Lord Dharma Sastha or Sori Muthu Iyyanar and He is an incarnation of Lord Ayyappan. He is seen flanked here by His Consorts Poorna and Pushkala. He can be seen with His left leg bend and right leg hanging down slightly sliding on the left. It is believed that Sabari Malai is considered as the first Temple of Lord Ayyaapan but some believe that this Temple is the Moolaadhaaram of Lord Sastha. One of the unique aspect of this Temple is that the bells that are tied on the Illuppai Maram of the Temple are absorbed by the Tree because of which this Tree is considered as Mani Vizhungi Maram. There are Idols of Sangili Bhoodhathaar, Mottayar, Padaala Kandigai, Kumbaamani etc whose stand as the Guardian Deities under this Tree. Another interesting fact of this Temple is that Devotees offer a pair of new Sandals / Chappals to Pattavarayan Deity here. When the same new Sandals or Chappals are observed after a few months it looks as though it had been used by someone else thereby presenting a worn out look. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is Illuppai Maram and the Theertham is Thamirabharani. There is a custom prevailing in Tamil Nadu which says that any Devotee must make it a habit to visit his /  her Kuladeiva Kovil. In case, if such Devotee do not know what their Kuladeiva Kovil is can visit this Sorimuthu Ayyanar Temple. In this way this Temple gains importance and significance to the eyes of the Devotees who do not know their Kula Deiva Kovil. New Moon Days and the last Fridays of Aadi and Thai Months and Panguni Uthiram are celebrated in a grand manner.

Contact Details: 98424 35896, 98426 42050, 04634 250209

Temple Timing: 8 AM to 3 PM Only. Devotees coming to this Temple have to obtain a Pass from the Forest Dept.

Distance from Tirunelveli to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 69 Kms

Distance from Thoothukudi to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 114 Kms

Distance from Thirucendhur to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 121 Kms

Distance from Nagercoil to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 120 Kms

Distance from Kanyakumari to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 122 Kms

Distance from Thiruvananthapuram to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 156 Kms

Distance from Varkala to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 150 Kms

Distance from Alappuzha to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 202 Kms

Distance from Kottayam to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 200 Kms

Distance from Tenkasi to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 47 Kms

Distance from Ambasamudram to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 24 Kms

Distance from Rameswaram to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 294 Kms

Distance from Paramakudi to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 250 Kms

Distance from Madurai to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 230 Kms

Distance from Tiruchirapalli to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 367 Kms

Distance from Karaikudi to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 318 Kms

Distance from Dindigul to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 278 Kms

Distance from Pollachi to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 389 Kms

Distance from Coimbatore to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 425 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Karaiyar, Tirunelveli District is 692 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Ambasamudram R.S.

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