Sri Rathinagireeswarar Temple, Ayyarmalai
Shiva (Rathinagireeswarar) temple · Ayyarmalai (near Kulithalai), Karur, Tamil Nadu, India
Sri Rathinagireeswarar Temple is a hill temple at Ayyarmalai, near Kulithalai in Karur district, Tamil Nadu (The Federal; Karur District Administration). The temple is dedicated to Arulmigu Rathinagireeswarar (Karur District Administration), worshipped as a form of Shiva (Dinamalar). The district administration places Ayyarmalai about 8 km from Kulithalai (Karur District Administration; Kulithalai Municipality), and a 2014 news report described the shrine as an ancient temple in Kulithalai taluk (Deccan Chronicle).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Sri Rathinagireeswarar Temple, Ayyarmalai
The Karur district administration lists the Ayyarmalai temple among the district's places of interest and notes that its annual festivals are celebrated on a large scale (Karur District Administration). The Kulithalai municipality lists it among the places of interest around the town (Kulithalai Municipality).
Heritage
History of Sri Rathinagireeswarar Temple, Ayyarmalai
The sources consulted do not give a founding date or a documented building history for the temple. A 2014 report called it an ancient temple and said a passenger ropeway was planned to carry devotees up the hill (Deccan Chronicle). On 24 July 2024 Chief Minister M K Stalin inaugurated a ropeway and a waiting hall for the hill temple by video conference, as part of a set of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department projects (The Federal).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple stands on a hill, and a ropeway built under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department was opened in 2024 (The Federal). Confirm current ropeway operation, darshan times and festival dates with the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department or the temple office before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (The Federal) before travelling. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Sri Rathinagireeswarar Temple, Ayyarmalai
Brahmotsavam and Chithirai festival
The district administration lists a 15-day Brahmotsavam and the Chithirai festival among the temple's annual festivals (Karur District Administration; Kulithalai Municipality), and Dinamalar describes the Chithirai festival as running for 15 days (Dinamalar).
Karthigai festival
The Karthigai festival is among the annual festivals celebrated at the Ayyarmalai temple (Karur District Administration; Dinamalar).
Thaipoosam
Thaipoosam is one of the festivals the district administration lists for the temple (Karur District Administration; Kulithalai Municipality).
Panguni Uthiram and Teppam (float festival)
Panguni Uthiram and a Teppam festival are listed among the temple's annual celebrations (Karur District Administration; Kulithalai Municipality).
Location
How to Reach Sri Rathinagireeswarar Temple, Ayyarmalai
Ayyarmalai is about 8 km from Kulithalai in Karur district, according to the district administration and the Kulithalai municipality (Karur District Administration; Kulithalai Municipality). Since July 2024, a ropeway has served the hill temple as an alternative to the climb (The Federal).
Location: Ayyarmalai (near Kulithalai), Karur, Tamil Nadu, India
More in Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu · Shiva (Rathinagireeswarar) temples · Temples in Kulittalai Taluk · Temples in Karur District
Questions
Sri Rathinagireeswarar Temple, Ayyarmalai: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sri Rathinagireeswarar Temple?
It is a hill temple at Ayyarmalai, near Kulithalai in Karur district, Tamil Nadu (The Federal; Karur District Administration).
Which deity is worshipped at the temple?
The temple is dedicated to Arulmigu Rathinagireeswarar (Karur District Administration), worshipped as a form of Shiva (Dinamalar).
How far is Ayyarmalai from Kulithalai?
Ayyarmalai is about 8 km from Kulithalai (Karur District Administration; Kulithalai Municipality).
Is there a ropeway to the hill temple?
Yes. A ropeway and waiting hall for the temple were inaugurated on 24 July 2024 (The Federal). A ropeway at Ayyarmalai had been planned since at least 2014 (Deccan Chronicle).
Which festivals are celebrated at Ayyarmalai?
The district administration lists a 15-day Brahmotsavam, the Chithirai, Thaipoosam, Karthigai and Panguni Uthiram festivals, and a Teppam festival (Karur District Administration).
Who administers the temple?
The 2024 ropeway was built and inaugurated as a project of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (The Federal).
Sources and attribution
- © OpenStreetMap contributors — location data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Karur District Administration — Places of interest (Ayyermalai)
- Kulithalai Municipality — Places of Interest — Kulithalai
- Dinamalar — Rathnagiriswarar Temple, Ayyarmalai (temple guide, Tamil)
- Deccan Chronicle — Rope car in Sholingur, Ayyarmalai (28 August 2014)
- The Federal — Tamil Nadu: CM Stalin inaugurates ropeway to Rathnagiriswarar hill temple (24 July 2024)
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