Agatheeswarar Temple, Karur

Agatheeswarar Temple is a Shiva temple at Thirumukkudalur village in Karur district, Tamil Nadu, around 15 km from Karur. It lies on the banks of the Amaravathi, close to where that river meets the Cauvery and the Thirumanimuthaaru. It is more than 1,000 years old, and Rajendra Chola I, who ruled from 1014 to 1044, is said to have built it. The temple is now in ruins.

Its main deities are Agatheeswarar and Anjanakshi Amman, with others including Brahma, Vishnu, Suryan, Chandran and Murugan. Legend says the sage Agasthya and Vaali both wished to consecrate a Shiva lingam here. Agasthya made one from sand before Vaali arrived with a lingam from Kashi, so Vaali installed his across the river at Ayalur, where it is honoured in the Valeeswarar temple.