This 7th Century Shiva temple is one of the Thevara Paadal petra
Vaippu sthalam on the south side of
rivers Kaveri, Kudamurutti & Vennar, and north of Vira Chozha Vadavaru. The
Thevara hymn was sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal / Appar. He listed out the Shiva Temple villages,
which are finished with Kudi and if one
worships, the obstacles will be removed.
“நல் குடிமேல் விடை உயர்த்த நம்பன் செம்பங்குடி, நல்லகுடி, செங்காட்டங்குடி, கருந்திட்டைக்குடி,
கடையக்குடி, காணுங்கால் விற்குடி, வேள்விகுடி, நல்வேட்டக்குடி, வேதிகுடி, மாணிகுடி, விடைவாய்குடி, புற்குடி, மாகுடி,
தேவன்குடி, நீலக்குடி, புதுக்குடியும் போற்ற இடர் போகும் அன்றே”.
This place is called different names, such as Karunthattangudi, Karunthittaikudi, Karanthai, etc.
Moolavar :
Sri Vasishteswarar, Sri Karunaswamy
Sri Karuvelayuthaswamy.
Consort :
Sri Periya Nayaki, Sri Tripura Sundari.
Some of the salient features of this temple are…
The temple faces east with a temple tank called
Vasishta Theertham. Dwajasthambam and balipeedam are in the Maratha period
mandapa. The entrance to the temple complex is from the south side with a two-tier Rajagopuram and Rishaba mandapam.
The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum,
antarala, and ardha mandapa. The Sanctum is on the Padma Bhanda Adhisthana. A vesara
Vimana is on the sanctum with Kodungai, Bhoodhavari, and Yazhivari. On the side
parapet wall stucco images of Hindu deities. In the Koshtam, Thirugnanasambandar,
Vasishtar, Rishi pathini, Vinayagar, Sri Vakisar, Natarajar, Gangalar,
Dakshinamurthy, Gangadhara, Arthanareeswarar, Lingothbavar, Ganatharar,
Visarjana, Brahma, Veenatharar, Kalasamharar, Pickshadanar, Vishnu, Thirunavukkarasar.
Cute Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the main shrine. Ambal is in a separate sannadhi in the artha mandapam facing
south with a separate Rishabam and Dwajasthambam immediately after the south side
Rajagopuram. The Vavalnethi Artha mandapam was built during the Maratha period.
Durgai and Chandikeswarar are in the inner prakaram.
In the Maratha period outer prakaram sannadhi for Adhi Vinayagar, Sri Valli
Devasena Subramaniar, 7 Lingas, Ijwarahareswarar, Gajalakshmi, Vahanas,
Natarajar, Palliayari, Navagrahas, Bairavar and Nagars. On the west entrance
sannadhi for Sri Balathandayuthapani.
This is one of the Sapthasthana temples of Lord Shiva around Thanjavur and other temples are Sri
Vasishteswarar at Tenkudithittai, Sri Thanjapureeswarar at Thanjavur, Sri
Chokkanathar at Gudalur, Sri Rajarajesawarar at Kadakadappai, Sri Kailasanathar
at Punnainallur and Sri Vaitheeswarar Natheswarar at Poomalai.
INSCRIPTION DETAILS:
Based on the
architecture, this temple may belong to the Parantaka Chozha period, but it might have existed during the 7th Century since Appar who lived in the 7th Century has sung hymns on Lord Shiva of this temple. Later renovated by Chembiyan Madevi’s son Mathurantaka Uthama Chozha. The earliest
inscription belongs to Uthama Chozhan. The other inscriptions belong to
Sundara Chozha, Rajendra Chozha, and Uthama Chozha’s 10th-year rule
inscription mentions that Dwarabalas are donated by a lady called Arunilimalai
Piratti. Mathurantaka Uthama Chozha’s son Mathurantakan Kandaradhithan donated 90 goats to burn perpetual lamps
in the sanctum.
A man by the name of Kilavan Aanaikaavan’s mother donated two
stones to construct the temple. Rajaraja Chozha-I’s sister Kundavai
Piratti donated the income after selling land at Rajakesari Village in Nallur
Nadu.
Another Rajaraja
Chozha-I’s inscription mentions a donation of a burning perpetual lamp in memory
of a Horse Soldier called Kaarikulirvaagai, who was killed in a fight with
another Horse soldier of the same wing by the name Vichathara Muththaraiyar.
Rajendra Chozha’s other
inscription mentions that he had donated a “Rajendra Chozhan Pattam” along with
some ornaments to Lord Shiva of this temple in his name.
As per the inscription
this place was called Karunthittaikudi and Lord Shiva as Karuvittakudi
Mahadevar.
LEGENDS
As per the legend Chozha King Karikalan got cured from Karungkushtam ( leprosy ) after taking a bath in the temple tank. Hence Lord Shiva is called Karuna Swamy. Vasishta Maharishi also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vashishta Maharishi’s marriage with Arundhathi is celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi, Rohini Nakshatra. The annual festival will be celebrated during the month of Tamil month Vaikasi with the Temple’s chariot procession on the 9th day and a palanquin procession on the 12th day. ( It was learned that palanquin procession was stopped for the past 25 years).
TEMPLE TIMINGS:
The temple will be
kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS:
HOW TO REACH:
This temple is at
Karanthai, just 3 KM from Thanjavur on Kumbakonam
to Thanjavur Road.
Frequent buses are
available from the Town bus stand.
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