Karkadeswarar Temple

Overview

The deity of God Shiva is worshipped at the holy Karkadeswarar Temple which is located at Thirundudevankudi in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

About the deity

God Tirundhudevan Kudi is known as God Swayambumurthy in the temple. The temple comprises of two Ambicas instead of just one. On the body of the Linga, the scar is visible which was caused by Indira.

About the Temple

Once a Chola King got sick and was paralysed. Nobody was able to cure him and eventually he prayed to God Shiva for help. After a while, an aged couple came to his palace and offered water with sacred ashes dissolved in it. The drink worked and he was cured of the paralyses. The king offered gold and other gifts to the couple but they refused to take them. Instead, the couple asked the king to build a Shiva Temple with a Shivalinga enshrined in it. The couple then disappeared. The King believed that the old couple was God Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He constructed a beautiful temple as was instructed and people, till date visit this temple to pray for God’s blessings to cure their disease. This ritual is called Pini in Tamil language and the hymn sung is known as Pini Neekkum Shiva according to Saint Gnanasambandar.
The temple consists of two shrines of Ambica, adjacent to each other. The deity of Goddess Ambica is known as Arumarundhu Nayaki which means ‘as a medico’. The older deity of Goddess Ambica was lost during the construction but later it was found and named Apoorva Nayaki.
The devotees visit this temple to seek relief from the zodiac sign called Karkadaka which comprises of three stars called Ayilya, Poosa and Punarvasu. There is a hole created on the structure of the Shivalinga by Nandu and a scar by Indira. The entrance of the temple consists of a shrine for Moon, also called Chandra. The devotees who are facing problems due to the astrological Moon mainly visit this shrine.

Legend and Stories

According to a legend, a sage named Durvasa was worshiping God Shiva and a community called Gandharva appeared in front of him to mock his old appearance, The Sage tried to ignore the community members but they continued mocking him. Out of anger, the sage cursed a member to be born as a Nandu. The member realised his mistake and apologised to the sage. The sage then told him to perform a prayer dedicated to God Shiva to transform himself in the original form. The member did the same after bathing in the Pushkarini and offering God Shiva some flowers.
As this was happening, God Indira came to the same place to perform a Shiava Puja as he was advised by his Guru. God Indira wanted the power to conquer the demons which was to be granted by God Shiva. He offered God Shiva 1008 flowers everyday but soon he noticed that a flower was missing from his offerings. He then came to know about Nandu and tried to murder him with his sword. God Shiva helped the Nandu escape from God Indira’s attack by creating a hole in his Linga structure. The Shivalinga was struck by God Indira’s sword and then God Shiva appeared in front of him. God Shiva advised God Indira that he can only succeed if he adopts humility. God Shiva then granted salvation to Karkadaga-Nandu and now he is known as Karkadakeswarar.

Festivals

The festivals of Maha Shivaratri and Tirukarthikai are celebrated in the temple.

How to Reach Karkadeswarar Temple

Airport

The Trichy Airport is nearest to the temple.

Railways

The Kumbakonam Railway Station is nearest to the temple.

Road

Frequent bus service is available till the temple. The devotees can take a bus or auto from Tiruvisainallur which is only 11kms away from Kumbakonam.

Temple Address

Karkadeswarar Temple,
20/27, South Street,
Veppathur Post – 612 105,
Tiruvidaimaruthur Taluk,
Tanjore dist.