Sathyanatheswarar Temple, Thirukalimedu

Sathyanatheswarar Temple, also called the Karaivananathar or Thirukalimedu temple, stands in the Thirukalimedu locality of Kanchipuram. Shiva is worshipped as Sathyanatheswarar and Parvati as Pramarambikai. Sambandar praised the deity in a verse of the Tevaram, making it a Paadal Petra Sthalam.

Legend says Indra and Budha (Mercury) worshipped Shiva here when the place was the Kaaraivanam forest, giving the deity the name Karaivananathar. Budha, ashamed on learning he was born to Chandra and Dhara, the wife of Chandra's teacher Guru, did penance here and was made one of the Navagrahas. Indra, cursed by the sage Gautama to have eyes all over his body after his pursuit of Ahalya, is also said to have done penance here to regain his form. A three-tier rajagopuram and a granite wall enclose the shrines, and the state HR&CE department administers the temple.