Vikriteswarar Temple, Venjamakoodal

This Shiva temple at Venjamangudalur, near Karur, is one of the Kongu Nadu temples and a Paadal Petra Sthalam on which Sundarar composed a hymn; Arunagirinathar also visited. It stands on the east bank of the Kudaganaru, reached by travelling 16 km south-west from Karur towards Aravakurichi as far as Thalapatti and then about 10 km along a branch road. Legend says a hunter king named Venchan worshipped here, giving the place its name, and that Shiva, disguised as an old priest, blessed Sundarar with gold.

More than 1,200 years old, the temple has a five-tier rajagopuram. Shiva is worshipped as Vikriteswarar, a lingam 5 ft high, and the goddess as Vikritambika, both facing east, and the sanctum depicts the seven Tevaram temples of Kongu Nadu. Pandya kings patronised the temple, and many Pandya inscriptions survive. There are shrines to the Panchalingams, Bhairavar and the 63 Nayanmars, and the Brahmotsavam in Maasi includes a chariot procession.