Sri Navaladi Karuppannaswami Temple – Mohanur, Hindu temple in Mohanur, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sri Navaladi Karuppannaswami Temple is a Hindu shrine in Mohanur that centers on a Swayambu Murthy, a self-manifested form of the deity, placed within a pit below ground level. The sanctuary is surrounded by sacred trees including the Naval and Neem varieties, with a tall Raja Gopuram that was recently constructed and now dominates the temple's visual presence.
This sanctuary originated between 500 and 1000 years ago when a local king sought the deity's counsel before making major decisions that affected the region. The practice of consulting the temple reflected its importance in the governance of the area.
Devotees write petitions addressing their concerns and attach them to the Pattamaram tree, creating a direct bridge between the worshipper and the deity. This visible ritual transforms the tree into a repository of personal hopes and requests.
The temple welcomes visitors most days, though the atmosphere and number of worshippers can change significantly depending on the time of day or season. Getting there is straightforward if you use local transport to reach Mohanur, from where the temple is easy to find.
The midnight ritual called Sathya Puja draws worshippers who present sheep and roosters as offerings to seek solutions for specific life problems. This nocturnal practice stands apart from daytime worship and appeals to those seeking resolution for particularly difficult matters.
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