History:

Swami here is swayambu moothy. Kamadhenu, the holy cow worshipped Lord here and hence the name ‘Aanilaiappar’ (Aa means cow). It performed the Bramah’s work of ‘creating’ at Karuvoor by praying pasupatheeswarar . Brahmah couldn’t continue his work because he developed pride on his power of creating. On realising his mistake he came to Karuvoor and worshipped Lord here and got back his power again. Ambal by name Soundaranayaki , born in a village nearby called ‘Appipalayam’ in a hunter's house and attained the Lord. Muchukuntha chola ruled chola kingdom with karur as capital.There is a place in ‘Kandha puraanam’ where it comes that devendran invited muchukuntha cholan from karuvoor for her daugter’s(theivaanai ammai) marrige with Lord Muruga. This shows the existence of Karuvoor as a town right from kandha purana period.

Specialities:

• Thirugnanasambandar visited here with his father Sivapaadhairudhayar and other Adiyars.
• This Sthalam is associated with the two great Nayanmars Eripatthar and Pukhazcholar. They worshipped pasupathipperumaan here and their history is very well detailed in Periyapuranam. (1)
• Karuvoor thevar who composed 'Thiruvisaippaa' (in ninth thirumurai) is native of this great Sthalam. (2)
• Arunagirinaathar sang about 9 'Thirupugal's’ in praise of beautiful Lord Muruga here.

Festivals:

• The traditional 6 ‘kaala’ pooja’s are performed daily.
• The Bramotsavam is celebrated in the month of panguni(which includes soundra nayaki Ambal’s marriage)
• ‘Arudra darishanam ‘ (in maarkhazhi) is a grand festival.

Of the seven Shiva Shrines of the Kongu Region, Karur Pasupatheeswarar is considered first and foremost. Emperor Musukunda, belonging to the Skanda Mahapurana period is believed to have undertaken renovation of the temple. According to the history of the place, Emperor Musukunda was extended an invitation to attend the wedding of Lord Muruga that took place in Tiruparankundram near Madurai.

Karur has the reputation that Siddha Karuvurar lived here. He has praised the Lord in his Thiruvisaippa hymns. As Karuvurar dissolved himself with the Lord, the Linga is found in a slanting position. Saint Thirugnanasambandar had also praised the Lord in his Thevaram. So Arunagiriyar His favourite deity Muruga in the temple.Karur also was the place of residence of Eripathanayanar, Pugazh Chola Nayanar . On 14, 15 and 16th of Panguni Tamil month (March-April) Sun rays fall on the shrine.

Lord Brahmma became proud of his position as Creator of the world. To teach him a lesson, Lord Shiva made divine cow Kamadenu come to Earth through Narada to perform penance on Him in this place, a forest of Vanji trees then. A divine voice instructed Kamadenu to worship the Linga hidden in an anthill there. Following the instructions, Kamadenu was pouring its milk on Lord in the anthill. As its foot hit the Linga in, it began to bleed. Lord told Kamadenu that He would be worshipped as Pasupathi Nathar as the cow (Kamadenu) worshipped Him and that Kamadenu would do the creation work. Kamadenu began the job that wiped of the pride of Brahmma. Merciful Lord returned the creation job to Brahmma then and took Kamadenu with Him.