Kalaiyarkovil

Unusually, the complex holds three sub-temples dedicated to Swarna Kaleeswarar and Swarnavalli, Someswarar and Soundaravalli, and Sundareswaran and Meenakshi. Each primary deity, in the form of a lingam, has its own garbhagriha, dhwaja sthambam, bali pitham and Nandi.

Most of the original temple is in the 7th century Pandya style, evident from its pillars. The Marudu brothers renovated parts in the 18th century, most notably the Rajagopuram, after destruction from invasions. It is said that the 155-foot Madurai temple gopuram can be seen from the top of this gopuram on a clear day. The other, smaller gopuram dates from Pandya times. Inside, among many idols and reliefs, are sculptures of the Marudu brothers, set in stone at the very place they died fighting.

Dedicated to Shiva, Kalaiyarkovil is a Pandya Naadu Paadal Petra Sthalam, celebrated in the hymns of the Shaiva Nayanmars Sambandar and Sundarar in the 7th and 8th centuries. Arunagirinathar also sang of the Murugan here in his Tiruppugazh, written in the 15th century. The temple's origin is unclear, but Sangam literature mentions the place as Thirukanapper in the Purananuru. Inscriptions name various Pandya kings, though the temple is held to have existed earlier still.

In the 18th century the temple was the epicentre of the Palaiyakkarars who battled the English East India Company, among them their chief Muthuvaduka Nathar and the Marudu brothers, Periya Marudu and Chinna Marudu. The Palaiyakkarars were feudal lords given military and administrative charge of a Palayam, a system begun by Viswanatha Nayaka, first Madurai Nayaka ruler, in the 16th century. In 1772, in collaboration with the Nawab of Arcot, Colonel Joseph Smith and Captain Abraham Bonjour attacked and ransacked Kalaiyarkovil, and Muthuvaduka Nathar, defending the temple, was killed.