Sri Veeravaranathaswamy Temple

Sri Veeravaranathaswamy Temple lies at the village Kinari which is four miles away form the taluk headquarters and the nearest railway station Karunguzhi is two miles distant. This temple is an ancient one. The inscriptions are in archaic Tamil script. It is believed that it was here that Ahaliya was turned into stone by the curse of her husband Sri Gowthama. During the exile the Pandavas worshipped the Lord here. As they were warriors, the deity came to be known as Sri “Veera Varanathan.” The temple covers an area of four acres. The Moolavar is a Swayambu Lingam and the famous Saivite Saint Sambandar has eulogised this deity. Two poojas are done daily. The temple has thirty acres of lands which are under lease cultivation. Though it is possible to get a sizeable income from these lands, on account of neglect the income is not appreciable. Hence for the past thirty years no festivals have been celebrated. Two wooden vahanas are in good condition. The Gurukkal is the trustee of the temple.^[1]