Karur, known today as the central region of Tamil Nadu, has been referred to by many names due to its historical and spiritual significance. It was first known as Aadhipuram, as it was believed to be the earliest place of origin. It came to be called Bhaskarapuram because Lord Perumal (Vishnu) resided there. The name Karppapuri originated from the belief that it was the first place where a fetus (karu) was formed by the creation of Lord Brahma. Venchularanyam came from the abundance of Vanchi trees. The name Aanilai arose from the legend that the divine cow Kamadhenu worshipped there. It was called Veerachozhapuram as it was conquered by the Chola kings. The area is referred to as Shanmangala Sosthiram because it comprises six sacred zones – hill, forest, river, sacred water, town, and temple.
This blessed land is also known as Karuvur, as the great Siddhar Karuvurar lived here. Over time, the name evolved into Karur. Due to the thick groves of Ashoka trees in ancient Karur, it was referred to as Vanchimanagaram, a fact documented in historical records, inscriptions, and the Tamil literary work Pathitrupathu. Furthermore, Karur served as the capital city of the Chera dynasty.
To the southeast of Karur city, lies the sacred land of Nerur, where the Jeeva Samadhi (final resting place) of the Mahaguru Sadasiva Brahmendral is located. On the road to Nerur, about 4 kilometers away, is a village called Panjamathevi. It is said that this village was named after Panjavanmathevi, the sister of the Chola emperor Rajaraja Cholan. There is also a belief that King Rajendra Chola’s military camp was stationed here.
Traditionally, if a village has a Perumal (Vishnu) temple on its western side and a Sivan (Shiva) temple on its eastern side, it is believed to have been established by kings. Panjamathevi village is notably arranged in this manner.
The village is home to five temples, each dedicated to a different goddess, which is why the village is also known as Panjamathevi. On the northern bank of the Amaravathi River, in the serene paddy fields to the south of the village, stands the ancient and divine temple of Sri Kamatchi Amman*, the universal mother goddess with eyes full of compassion.
The exact century in which this sacred temple was built is unclear. During an invasion of Kanchipuram, it is believed that the elders carried the goddess on foot to safety. One group established the Svarna Kamakshi Temple in Thanjavur, while another group is said to have built this Kamatchi Amman Temple on the banks of the Amaravathi River.
Here, the goddess is seated in a meditative posture (tapas form). The temple also houses separate sanctums for guardian deities such as Kathavarayan, Masiperiya Sami, Ladathannasi, Madurai Veeran, and the Saptha Kannimars (Seven Virgin Goddesses).
A unique feature of this temple is the swing (oonjal) placed in front of the goddess’s sanctum, which is not commonly found in other temples. Originally made of black stone, the swing later broke and has now been replaced with a wooden one.
It is believed that worshipping the goddess on a full moon day (Pournami) helps remove obstacles to marriage and blesses devotees with progeny.
Another specialty is the Navagrahas (nine planetary deities), which are placed surrounded by water. Apart from the temple in Devipattinam, this is one of the rare temples in Tamil Nadu where the Navagrahas are placed in such a manner. Hence, many devotees perform Ayushya Homam here to seek long life.
The temple also has a centuries-old Ilandhai (Jujube) tree, which has grown magnificently and is marked by numerous knots, indicating its age. Many Siddha medical practitioners visit the tree, believing in its healing powers.
The temple was once surrounded by mango groves, and even today, mango trees can be found at the front and rear of the temple. The sacred tree (Sthala Vriksha) of this temple is the mango tree.
There is a belief that if ten Bilva (Bael) trees grow in one place, that spot is equivalent in sanctity to Kashi. This temple has more than ten naturally grown Bilva trees, making it extremely sacred.
The temple has been visited and sanctified by many spiritual luminaries such as the Kanchi Mahaperiyava, who once traveled here on foot and stayed in the temple. Other visitors include the Sringeri Shankaracharya, Sadasiva Brahmendra of Nerur, and numerous saints and sages. In recent times, Kanchi Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal and Vijendra Saraswati Swamigal have also visited multiple times and added spiritual grace to the temple.