Kailasanathar Temple Cave, Theni, Tamil Nadu India

 Kailasanathar Temple Cave is located near the Suruli Falls. There are 18 caves in and around the Suruli falls. The temple is situated 800 mtrs above the fall and has a spring; the water is believed to have curative powers. A Dargah named after Abubacker Masthan is another important place of worship in Suruli. This is where the remains of Abubacker Masthan are interred. This is very close to the cave temple of Kailasanatha. Abubacker was a Muslim mystic who lived around the 1630s.

Tharamangalam is a town an hour’s bus journey from Salem. Salem itself has nothing of interest according to locals. Tourist books don’t mention it either. So after visiting Mettur this morning, I left for this town at about 6 pm. When I arrived at Tharamangalam, it was past sunset and darkness had already set in. The point of curiosity for the tourist is the Kailasanathar Temple.

Kailasanathar Temple is the name of several famous megalith rock cut kovils dedicated to the deity Shiva in the form Kailasanathar, whose primary abode is Mount Kailash from which the temples take their names and inspiration.

A temple for Lord Kartikeya is also located near the falls and it is called the Suruli Velappar Temple. In Tamil month of Chithirai, devotees carry pots of milk on Saturdays to this temple.